Moving into Rieber Hall two years ago, I wondered just how I would relate to the 1,200 students in this building — and just what it would be like to live here. In fact, it’s incredibly good to be part of UCLA’s residential community. Though I’ve been on campus for nearly 30 years, this experience has given me a new perspective, and it’s shown me something important about how the seasons change.

Witness the fall start-up: The housekeeping staff works around the clock to prepare the building for full occupancy, with the dining and maintenance staff handling countless other essential details. The central Residential Life team trains the students who will serve as resident and program assistants, health advocates and student leaders. In turn, these students — in my view, the critical element in the entire residential life program — work to create a welcoming environment on their floors. Then in a single weekend, the students move in — some 7,500 of them across the campus. All this takes an awesome amount of coordination, energy and effort. Most remarkable is that it’s all done in such good spirit.

The remainder of the year means programs and activities developed by the student staff and the central team; conversations over breakfast and dinner; meetings and e-mails; outings into the communities of L.A.; and ongoing discussions of things academic and personal. I meet regularly and collaborate with the student staff and with other colleagues in the Office of Residential Life and the Faculty-in-Residence program. Through daily exchanges, I also come to know many of the housekeeping, dining hall and maintenance staff. The lunchroom for the housekeeping staff is near my apartment, and we tell each other stories and share the seasons of our lives. These networks sustain us as we do our work, and they create rich new friendships.

We’re now in a transitional stage as Alan Hanson completes his 37-year tenure as director of Residential Life. His contributions are evident in all elements of the program. We’re now welcoming Suzanne Seplow, who will become the new director within a month or so. Her experience, capacities and perspectives will serve us well as we enter a new phase of life on The Hill. I came to know Suzanne when she, Law Professor Fran Olsen and I co-chaired “UCLA Women 4 Change” in its first year. I’ve also worked with her on The Hill, where she is currently south area director. She’s someone I respect and admire, and I’m delighted with her appointment.

In all, my residential life experience is very much about life’s seasons. I’ve met new challenges and found new ways of integrating the elements of my own life. I’ve seen my photos installed in the new commons building for DeNeve Plaza. I’ve also taken photos of residential life staff for the campus diversity Web site (www.diversity.ucla.edu) that the new Chancellor’s Office of Faculty Diversity is developing. At once, I see how UCLA has influenced my life and how it continues to offer the students, and all of us engaged in this academic community, new ways into the future.

Petersen is director of academic affirmative action and a photographer whose work has been the focus of several campus exhibits.