About

Mission Statement

We strive to create life-changing experiences by building relationships, developing others, and creating a sense of belonging for our students, their families, and the IU community.

Alice M. Nelson

For almost five decades, Alice McDonald Nelson led housing and residential operations at Indiana University Bloomington throughout a constantly evolving campus landscape. Alice introduced student-forward measures that not only changed IU, but university housing across the country.

Alice first came to IU’s campus in 1920 on loan from University of Chicago, a determined and innovative woman in a male-dominated field. Her rapid success led to a 45-year career that saw RPS through the Great Depression, the enrollment boom after World War II, the breaking down of racial and gender barriers to campus, and decades of building projects. From her introduction of co-ed housing to IU (believed to be the first national co-ed experiment) to the creation of residence hall libraries, Nelson’s legacy continues to benefit residents on campus.

Today, the Nelson Administration Building houses the main administration offices of RPS, a reminder of Alice McDonald Nelson’s work and the Indiana University legacy of women in leadership.

Watch Alice McDonald Nelson: An Indiana University Legacy


Sustainability

  • Calibrated heating/cooling systems
  • Energy-efficient appliances and equipment
  • Fluorescent light fixtures in student rooms
  • LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lighting in public spaces
  • Occupancy sensor lighting in some centers

  • HEPA high-efficiency filtration vacuum cleaners
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • LEED Silver certification of new construction and major renovations
  • Rebuild and reupholster furniture
  • Recycle old carpet, draperies, and mattresses

  • Flooring and furniture sourced from companies engaged in sustainable manufacturing
  • GOJO, Green Seal-Certified foam hand cleaner
  • Johnson Diversey Green Seal Certified cleaning products
  • Kimberly-Clark 100% recycled JRT tissue paper
  • Water-based epoxy and low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) latex paint

  • Abandoned property sent to the Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sales
  • Desk-side office recycling
  • Household battery and printer cartridges
  • Mixed paper, plastic containers #1–7, glass, and metal containers

  • Energy Challenge—a semi-annual contest at IU to conserve electricity and water
  • RecycleMania(*)—annual contest to raise awareness of and increase recycling
  • Residence Hall Association (RHA)—has student government positions that promote sustainable practices association and programs

* As of November 1, 2016, IU implemented a policy requiring all new university websites to meet the accessibility standards set forth by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA. Some links included on this page may connect to documents maintained by an outside organization or government entity and may not be in a format that is accessible to all audiences. In such cases, users are encouraged to contact the host organization or government entity to obtain a suitable version.

Our daily operations and construction projects are managed to conserve energy and reduce waste and chemical use. We also have programs available for residents to get involved.