By Sgt. James David with Matt Bertram
Hello and welcome to Carolina. My name is Sergeant James David, and I serve with the UNC Police Department here at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a proud Carolina alum, I’m especially excited to welcome you to this incredible campus and community. You’re beginning a journey that will challenge and reward you in countless ways, and I want you to know that your safety is our number one priority. At UNC Police, we believe in two things above all else when it comes to keeping our campus safe: communication and empowerment. Our goal is to make sure every student knows how to access the safety tools and support systems that are available to them from the very first day.
One of the most important things you should know is that we operate a dedicated 911 Emergency Communications Center right here on campus. That means if you ever call 911 from your cell phone or from any campus phone while you’re on university grounds, the call goes directly to trained UNC Police telecommunicators who are familiar with the campus layout and can dispatch help quickly and effectively. This campus-specific 911 center is a critical first line of communication and ensures a faster and more informed emergency response.
Another major resource I encourage you to take advantage of is the Carolina Ready Safety App. This mobile app brings a wide range of safety tools right to your fingertips. You can report suspicious activity, receive emergency notifications, and access support services all from your phone. It also connects you directly with our SafeWalk program, which is run by pairs of trained UNC students who can accompany you anywhere on campus or even into the nearby Chapel Hill area if you’re walking late at night. Whether you’re leaving the library, a study group, or a social event, SafeWalk is a smart and supportive way to get home safely.
When it comes to your residence hall, security is a top priority. All of our on-campus housing buildings are access-controlled 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means the exterior doors are locked at all times, and entry is only granted through an electronic key fob issued to each resident. Only those who live in the building or who are approved staff members such as Resident Advisors, Community Directors, and UNC Police personnel can enter. This system helps protect your personal space and ensures that only those with a legitimate reason to be there can access the building.
As you walk around campus, you may notice security cameras installed in various locations, especially inside residence halls and public spaces. These cameras are not there to monitor your day-to-day life but are instead intended to give our department an extra set of eyes in case we ever need to review footage as part of an investigation. Their presence helps support the overall safety of our community and can serve as a valuable tool when something needs to be looked into further.
You’ll also see emergency blue light call boxes located across campus, often near residence halls and academic buildings. These tall poles have an emergency button and an intercom system that connects you directly to our UNC 911 Center. Once activated, one of our telecommunicators will speak with you through the intercom while dispatching an officer to your exact location to assist with whatever situation you may be experiencing. These call boxes are always available and offer another way for you to quickly get help if needed.
At the UNC Police Department, we view every student as part of our community. We are here not just to respond in emergencies but to build relationships, offer guidance, and ensure that you feel supported throughout your time at Carolina. This is a place where you will grow academically, personally, and socially, and we want you to feel confident every step of the way. If you ever have a question, concern, or simply want to learn more about how we serve the campus, please do not hesitate to reach out. You are never alone here. We’re proud to be part of your Carolina experience, and we’re honored to help keep you safe.
Welcome to the Tar Heel community. I know you’re going to make the most of your time here, and I’m glad you’re with us.
– Sgt. James David UNC Police Department
Click here to continue to Episode 9: What Your Service Desk Can Do for You
By: Taylor Williams, with Matt Bertram
Hey there, Tar Heels!
I’m Taylor Williams, and I’m the Guest Experience Director at Carolina Dining Services, also known as CDS. First of all, welcome to Carolina! As you start this exciting new chapter, I want to make sure you know that we’re here to support you in one of the most essential parts of college life: food. We’re more than just a dining program. We’re a community that cares about your well-being, from what’s on your plate to how you feel while you’re here. Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or just someone trying to power through early morning classes, we’ve got something for you.
If you’re living in a residence hall as a first-year student, you’ll want to sign up for a meal plan that gives you easy access to dining across campus. Most first-years opt for the All Access Plan, which gives you unlimited entry to our two main dining halls: Chase Dining Hall on South Campus and Top of Lenoir right next to the Student Union. If you’re looking for something a bit more structured, we also offer block plans like the Block 200 or Block 100, which come with a set number of dining hall swipes for the semester. At every meal, you’ll find a rotating selection of fresh options, from made-to-order stations and salad bars to comfort food classics and global dishes. We take dietary needs seriously and offer plenty of options for students who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or Halal. If you have specific concerns or food allergies, you can even meet with our in-house registered dietitian, who can help you understand the menus and build a plan that works for you.
Alongside your meal swipes, our plans come with Flex and Plus Swipes to help you dine beyond the traditional dining halls. Flex is basically campus dining currency. It’s accepted at a wide range of spots like Bojangles, Mediterranean Deli, Blue Ram, and Rams Head Market. It’s perfect for coffee runs, snacks between classes, or those moments when you just want something different. Plus Swipes can be used at select retail locations for combo meals, giving you even more flexibility. And here’s a pro tip: Flex dollars roll over each semester until you graduate, so you’ll never lose them. We also make it easy to order ahead with the Transact Mobile app, which lets you skip the line and grab your meal on your schedule. It’s one of the best ways to simplify busy days without compromising on quality or taste.
At CDS, we’re committed not just to feeding you well but also to supporting a more sustainable and connected campus. Many of our ingredients are locally sourced, and we compost all of our food waste in the dining halls. We’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact while keeping things fresh and delicious. Beyond the plate, we bring campus to life with fun events throughout the year. From Late Night Breakfast during finals to First Year Favs, Ramsgiving, chef takeovers, and even campus carnivals, there’s always something happening. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @CDS_UNC. We run giveaways all the time, and prizes have included everything from electric scooters to UNC vs. Duke basketball tickets.
No matter how you like to eat, Carolina Dining Services is here to help you settle in, feel at home, and stay nourished, both physically and emotionally, throughout your college journey. We’re so excited to welcome you to campus, and we can’t wait for you to experience everything we have to offer. Welcome to UNC. We’re glad you’re here!
Click here to continue to Episode 8: UNC Police Department
June 3, 2025, marks the 230th anniversary of UNC’s very first student organization, The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. DiPhi is a literary and debate student organization that was established in 1795 (the same year as UNC!) that focuses on supporting clear thinking, celebrating the arts, and sharing ideas freely, all while learning about the history of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
I had the absolute honor to tour the organization’s chamber and get an introduction to all of the amazing alumni who were a part of DiPhi during their time at UNC. Some notable DiPhi alumni include James K. Polk (a U.S. President) William R. King (a U.S. Vice President) Thomas Wolfe, and Paul Green, (both Pulitzer Prize Winners).
Not only did I get to see the beautiful chamber up close and learn more about the alumni of the organization, but I learned some incredible facts about DiPhi’s impact on the university as a whole.
During my tour of DiPhi, I learned that they had a huge impact on the origins of the iconic Carolina blue and white school colors. Since there are two societies within DiPhi, the Dialectic society and Philanthropic society, members of each society were recognized by a ribbon on their diploma. Dialectic society members had a blue ribbon on their diploma, representing agricultural excellence and symbolizing the blue skies of North Carolina. Members of the Philanthropic society had white ribbons, representing the light of liberty or the light of virtue. In the 1880s when the collegiate football team was formed, the colors for UNC were a bit of a mismatch. Since a lot of the players were members of either the Dialectic or Philanthropic society, they decided to use white and blue as the team's colors. Thus, leading us to today with the iconic Carolina blue and white UNC is known for.
If you’re interested in learning more about this incredible organization, listen to our newest podcast episode featuring Cormac Lynch and Maddux Vernon from the societies or head to their website!
Hey Tar Heels!
As you prepare to move in for the fall semester, consider looking into Storage Squad! Avoid bringing everything in a packed car or shipping to a campus mailroom and instead use direct-to-dorm services. Things such as bedding, storage bins, towels & toiletries, mini fridge, microwave, seasonal clothing and dorm decor can be sent and will be waiting for you at your residence hall on the day of move-in!
Room Direct by Storage Squad ships everything to directly to your room! They also include free packing kits, tracking and insurance. When you show up to your residence hall, your room will be ready to go!
If you’re interested in using Storage Squad, you can sign up online and get your free packing kit (or ship from retailers directly), label boxes with your information and then relax. They will hold your items safely and deliver them to your room on move-in day.
For more information and to sign up, head to the Storage Squad Website.
By: Patrick Preudhomme, with Matt Bertram
Hi everyone—and welcome to Carolina!
I’m Patrick Preudhomme, and I serve as the Program Director for Off-Campus Student Life here at UNC-Chapel Hill. While you’ll be starting your journey on campus as part of the first-year live-on requirement (which we strongly believe is a valuable part of the Tar Heel experience), I want to talk with you today about what comes next—because sooner or later, many students consider the move off campus.
That’s where my office comes in.
We’re your go-to resource for everything off-campus living. Whether it’s your second year or later, and whether you're simply curious or actively planning, we’re here to guide and support you through that transition. We want it to be smooth, empowering, and informed—not stressful or rushed.
What We Do
Throughout the fall semester, you’ll start seeing us around—maybe in your residence hall or at campus tabling events—offering workshops and guidance to help you understand what off-campus life really entails. We work closely with local apartment properties and housing communities to give you insight into your options, including what amenities are offered, how pricing works, and what’s realistic for your budget.
We also partner with amazing resources like Carolina Student Legal Services, who can help review your lease before you sign it, so you don’t get caught off guard by something in the fine print. And of course, we collaborate with Carolina Housing to ensure you’re fully aware of all your on-campus options as well.
Our job isn’t to tell you where to live—it’s to give you the tools and knowledge you need to make the decision that’s right for you.
The Transition Off Campus
Leaving campus doesn’t mean leaving Carolina. You’ll still be part of our vibrant university community—you’ll go to classes, attend games, and participate in all the events and traditions that make this place special. But you’ll also have the opportunity to engage with the town of Chapel Hill, Franklin Street, and downtown Carrboro in a new way. It’s a different kind of experience, and we want to make sure it’s a great one.
For many students, moving off campus is their first time navigating things like roommate agreements, utility bills, landlord relationships, and cleaning schedules. That can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.
Our office provides ongoing support and guidance on all of these topics. We’re just an email or visit away, and we’re always ready to help however we can.
Real Talk: What You Should Know
We also help you plan ahead and avoid common pitfalls. For example, did you know Chapel Hill has something called the “four-person rule”? It means no more than four unrelated individuals can live in the same house unless it’s a specialty property. That’s an important detail that could impact your lease—so we make sure you know things like that upfront.
We also produce an annual Off-Campus Living Guide, maintain roommate finder tools, and share apartment comparison resources to help you make smart, informed choices.
One of my favorite parts of this role is connecting directly with students—hearing what you're excited about and helping you find housing that aligns with your goals. Whether it’s living with friends, finding a pet-friendly space, or balancing budget and amenities, we want to support what matters most to you.
Stay Connected
You might be surprised by how connected you’ll still feel once you leave the residence halls. We send out a newsletter called the Tar Heel Citizen to keep you in the loop on everything happening on and off campus. And if you're ever unsure about anything—from what utilities are included in your rent to how to talk with a roommate—we’re here.
Even though you won’t have an RA or community director anymore, you’re not alone. My office fills in some of those gaps, helping you take this big step with confidence—and preparing you for life after college, too.
Final Thoughts
The biggest piece of advice I can give you? Don’t rush into anything. The students who feel the most pressure and stress are usually the ones who felt forced into making a decision before they were ready. You’ll hear pitches from landlords, see ads, and field questions from your friends—but you’ve got time. We’ll help you navigate all of it.
So whenever you’re ready, come see us. Visit our office in the Student Union, explore our website, or just shoot us an email. We’ll even have coffee waiting.
Again, welcome to Carolina—and remember, when the time comes to move off campus, you’ve got a whole team here to help.
—Patrick
Click here to continue to Episode 7: Campus Dining Services
Hey Carolina Housing! My name is Haedyn Mills! I am one of the Spring 2025 Marketing Interns and a sophomore here at UNC. As my time on the Carolina Housing team is coming to an end, I wanted to share why I have chosen to live on campus all four years here at Carolina.
Here’s a little bit of background on my on-campus living experiences and how these have influenced my decision to stay on campus.
My Time in Hinton James Residence Hall
I participated in a program called Carolina Global Launch where I spent my first semester abroad at the University of Stirling in Scotland! This was an amazing experience where I got to explore the world around me, but I was really nervous about coming back to Carolina halfway through the year.
I always knew that I had wanted to come to UNC and was excited about living in a building with all freshmen. In one of my journals in middle school, I had drawn out the floor plan of the rooms based on one of the South Campus residence halls here and had decorated it on the page how I wanted it. So, when it came to figuring out where I wanted to stay, I knew I wanted to live on South Campus. My housing application process was very different from most students’ here at UNC as I had to do it halfway through the year, but I ended up exactly where I wanted to be!
When I got to UNC me and one of the other girls in my study abroad cohort were able to be suitemates, and I got matched randomly with my roommate. We immediately clicked and became extremely close friends and my friend from study abroad and I were able to bring in my new roommate to our friend group.
My time in Hinton James was one of exciting experiences, adventures and side quests. I 100% recommend living in Hinton James as a freshman because you are so close to so many other people who want to make friends with you and who are in the same stage of life here in Carolina that you are.
My Time in Teague Residence Hall
I am currently living in Teague Residence Hall which is located Mid Campus near the
Kenan Football Stadium. As a sophomore, this is the perfect location for campus because it’s near everything.
I knew I wanted to live in this area of campus, and my friends and I ended up all getting placed here but spread out throughout the building. As someone who had experienced having a random roommate before, I was not worried about this in the slightest! My current roommate and I are very close friends so I knew I would be able to make a new friend with my random roommate and still have a solid support system.
My favorite part of living in this area is that I am close to all of the sports games. As a big sports fan and Carolina Fever point collector, this has been the perfect space. I can walk out to my “backyard” which is essentially Dorrance Soccer Field and collect the points. With living so close and getting points I was able to be in the top 200 people in the school who went to the most sporting events and was able to be second row at the Duke v. UNC basketball game.
My time living here has been full of so many fun sporting events and memories with my friends. This side of campus means I am only ever a short walk from just about everything, and it is in between both of the gyms and dining halls.
My Future in Rams Village Apartments
Next year I am so excited to be living with my friends, one of which was my random roommate freshman year in one of the Rams Village Apartments. We are all looking forward to the location right next to the Dean Smith Center for attending basketball games, and of course the unique lifestyle living in an on-campus apartment will provide.
My roommates and I plan on renewing our rooms for our senior year too because we love living on campus.
I also feel like you don’t need this because freshmen are required to live on campus. Living on campus allows you to get involved and go to events like sports games and club meetings without driving or walking far distances. For a lot of people, undergrad is the only time they will have the opportunity to live on campus.
I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to live on campus and enjoy your time here. College is usually only four years of your life. Why not spend it with the Carolina Housing community; it has truly felt like family! Go Heels!
At every university, there are unsung heroes who work hard behind the scenes to ensure students have a clean and beautiful campus to call home. I had the honor to speak with James Glass, the Connor Community Housekeeping Lead, recently honored with the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award. If you are a student living on campus, you may have met James Glass, also known as “Mr. James” by many students across campus.
Glass has worked for UNC for over 19 years and is still committed to making students feel welcome and supported every day. To him, treating the students with support and guidance is key in his job, “I feel like the students are my kids while they’re here,” he says. “They need someone to talk to, someone who understands them.”
One of the things that sets Glass apart is his view on leadership. He believes a true leader leads from the front, “I’ve never seen a leader ride in the backseat of a car,”. As a housekeeping lead, he takes pride in setting a positive example for his team, working in a way he would want them to replicate, and making sure every corner of campus reflects the time and care his team puts into it.
Housekeeping often gets overlooked, but its impact is invaluable. A clean and well-maintained campus shapes the first impressions for visitors and overall student experience. “I want families to walk through and say, ‘Yes, this is where I want my kid to go,’” he says.
When asked his final piece of advice for the Tar Heel community he said, “Keep striving. Success may not come today or tomorrow, but someone is always watching,”. For Glass, receiving this award is an extreme honor, but being recognized by his peers for his work means even more.
His dedication to campus for almost two decades makes it clear that there is not a more perfect recipient of the C. Knox Massey Award. It is also a reminder that people who work behind-the-scenes often play some of the most important roles in shaping the campus community. So next time you pass a housekeeping staff member (or Mr. Glass himself!) in the halls, take a moment to say thank you because their work makes all the difference.
Looking to get rid of some items before you move out? Don’t Ditch It, Donate It! Consider donating any gently used items such as clothes, books, appliances, mattress toppers, athletic equipment, bedding, cleaning supplies, household items, unopened toiletries, unopened food, school supplies, electronics, computer equipment, and furniture that is not broken.
When in doubt, put it in the donation station! Your gently used items provide residents with quality goods at a low cost! Through this program, UNC has saved over 357 tons of unwanted items from entering landfills.
Donation stations open on April 30th and close on May 13th, so make sure you get your donations in by then! The process is simple, all you have to do is find the donation station closest to you and drop your items off at your earliest convenience.
Check out the list of locations below:
NORTH CAMPUS
Kenan Community: Spencer 1st Floor Lounge, Kenan 1st Floor Lounge
Upper Quad Community: Mangum 1st Floor Lounge, Old West 1st Floor Study
Lower Quad Community: Graham-McClinton-1st Floor Breezeway
Cobb: 1st Floor Lobby
Connor Community: Connor 1st Floor Lounge, Joyner 1st Floor Lounge
Carmichael: 1st Floor Lobby
Parker: Parker 1st Floor Lobby, Avery 1st Floor Lounge
Granville Towers: South Basement Lounge
SOUTH CAMPUS
Hinton James: 1st Floor Small Lounge
Ehringhaus: Ground Floor Elevator Lobby
Morrison: 1st Floor Lounge
Craige: Ground Floor Elevator Lobby
Ram Village 1: Basement Floor Multipurpose Room
Taylor: Second Floor Lobby
Ram Village V: 1st Floor Reading Room
Baity Hill Apartment Community: 1 POD between 1700/1800 and 1 POD between 1900/2000
Moving off campus for summer break? Make sure you change your address, so you don’t miss out on any mail!
The Chapel Hill Post Office does not provide address change requests or forwarding services for on-campus residents. This means that you will need to change your addresses manually before you head out!
Please note that all mail received after you check out of your residence hall will be returned to the sender.
To ensure that you receive your mail wherever you are, you must update your address directly with any person or company that sends you mail. Make sure you send a text to any family or friends reminding them of your new mailing address. You can also update your address directly on any accounts online. Some examples include:
When available, you can also opt for paperless statements, making it that much easier to receive your mail without needing to change your address!
After 18 episodes of Carolina Housing's Podcast: Campus Connection, the marketing team turned the microphones inward to spotlight the team usually behind the designs, posts, and digital content. Get to know Matt, Garett, and Emma, the trio that makes up the Carolina Housing Marketing team. From social media to merchandise, this team keeps students informed, engaged, and (hopefully) amused with the content they create.
The team also wanted to introduce themselves beyond their professional roles. Matt Bertram, the Assistant Director of Marketing, shares insights about how the Carolina Housing marketing team operates like an in-house agency and highlights the importance of teamwork and cross-campus collaboration. He explains that everything the team does stems from the need to communicate effectively. Matt also discusses his experience living in Arizona and his background in radio production before joining Carolina.
Garett Hozza, the Graphic Design and Digital Marketing Specialist and North Carolina native, brings a sharp design eye and a passion for branding, layout, and live event strategy. He describes how every week brings different challenges, from designing logos to installing physical signage in residence halls. Garett also shares his college experience producing a game show called Win Stuff (remarkably like a currently popular television game show), his involvement with a student-run marketing agency, and how these early experiences shaped his approach to storytelling through design.
Emma Larivee, the Social Media and Digital Content Coordinator and newest member of the team, shares her perspective as a recent college graduate who relocated from Connecticut to North Carolina in late December 2024. She brings fresh insights to student-centered content creation. From filming RA interview videos to developing pest prevention tips, Emma finds creative ways to make practical content engaging and fun. Her goal is to meet students where they are, whether through Instagram, email, or other digital platforms, ensuring content feels relevant, relatable, and authentic.
Carolina Housing's marketing extends far beyond digital signage and social media posts. The team provides comprehensive services to colleagues within the housing department, including social media and email campaigns, graphic design and branding, photography and videography, blog and web content creation, event marketing, and strategic communications.
This podcast episode offers more than team introductions, it provides insight into the purpose driving their work. Every campaign is rooted in connection: helping students understand housing options, feel at home on campus, and engage with their community. Matt emphasizes that each year brings a new audience of first-year students unfamiliar with the housing department. The marketing team's mission is to ensure these students feel welcomed, informed, and excited about living on campus.
The team also highlights their student marketing internship program, where Tar Heels gain hands-on experience in marketing, content creation, and communications. Interns collaborate with the professional staff on active campaigns, developing graphics, managing social media, writing blogs, filming videos, and more. It's a practical, fast-paced environment rich with learning opportunities.
Keep an eye on the Student Staff Opportunities page of the Carolina Housing website for updates on application openings. The Summer Resident Ambassadors position is currently hiring, with applications open until April 21!
Whether you're a student curious about housing options, someone interested in marketing, or simply want to hear from the voices shaping our campus community, this episode is worth a listen. You can check out this episode on Spotify, Apple Music, or by listening below!
Want to join the team? Apply to be a Summer Resident Ambassador HERE!