A Day in the Life of Cari Meng

written by

By Ginny Sharkey ’83

As the director of Student Housing Operations & Planning and the interim director of Residential Communities, Cari Meng oversees all student housing planning and operations, including room assignments, move-ins and move-outs. She directs the implementation of the housing master plan to refresh and renovate residence halls, and every day, Meng works with her staff and students in community advising roles to help students learn and grow through their campus living environment.

Meng’s days are busy under normal circumstances, but this fall meant an even more packed schedule. New safety and cleaning protocols were implemented. Halls originally scheduled for renovation or maintenance were put back in the housing rotation to provide quarantine and isolation spaces for the campus community, and in the midst of it all, Meng helped open and celebrate Silverstein Hall—a new apartment building for seniors.

We caught up with Meng mid-semester—Oct. 7, 2020—to see what it’s like to walk in her shoes. And we got a little insight into what makes her job worth all the hard work. “In Fall 2020 the best part of any day was being able to laugh and enjoy time with students in person, socially distanced of course,” says Meng. “Before this year, we all took that simple pleasure for granted—but no more!”

issue 02 | 2020-21 - winter
Cari Meng

8:30 a.m.: Meng’s day starts in a huddle with her team for casual—but targeted—game-planning for the day ahead.

Cari Meng's day starts in a huddle with her team

10 a.m.: Some students are planning to return home to learn remotely for the rest of the semester, and Meng asks the Bookstore to place empty boxes and packing supplies just outside the store for easy pick-up.

Meng at the Bookstore

11 a.m.: A meeting at the physical plant office to review the Silverstein Hall punch list for last-minute items, followed by a virtual meeting with res hall staff.

Meng in a meeting at the physical plant

Noon: Meng’s daily time-out — a lunchtime walk around campus listening to a true crime podcast.

Meng walks around campus during lunch

2 p.m.: Planning the Silverstein grand opening celebration (Silverstein pint glasses for seniors!) with Community Coordinator Alex Green.

Planning the Silverstein grand opening celebration

6 p.m.: At the “Moonies” social halls giving advanced scenario training to student community advisors before heading home at 7 p.m.

Meng giving scenario training to community advisors
Published January 2021
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