On the campus, there are 12 College Park Scholars programs, three honors programs, a living-learning community for civic-minded students and one for those with a global focus. There’s a dorm for creative writers, and one where students speak exclusively in foreign languages.
At this university, there’s a living-learning program for almost every type of student – except those not in living-learning programs.
But now, that might change. Officials from the Department of Resident Life said they are developing several ways to offer students not affiliated with living-learning programs the same community atmosphere officials say the groups promote.
Amy Martin, the associate director for Resident Life’s North Campus office, said a multicultural discussion group started in Easton Hall last year inspired the idea for more community programs not within the university’s typical living-learning structure. Officials have called for one program that will focus on students’ career goals, and want to explore the idea of setting up others.
Students say the difference between staying in living-learning program dorms and those not affiliated is stark and obvious. Sophomore environmental science and policy major Anila Rawasia, who lived in Centreville Hall during her fall semester, said she’s felt more isolated from her neighbors while living in Elkton this semester.
“It was a completely different experience there,” Rawasia said. “I felt like people were more willing to interact because they had something in common. It just seems like nothing ever happens around here. You’re either in a fraternity or a sorority, or you have nothing to do.”
The department was inspired by one of its own programs, Common Ground Dialogue, which brings together groups of 10 to 15 students to discuss modern diversity issues. The success of that program, which was started in Easton Hall last year, led the department to branch out in new directions.
“Common Ground provides great lessons for students who are new to the university lifestyle, and I think it’s a great idea that ResLife is trying to establish more programs,” said junior economics major Nickie Babayeva, who has led a Common Ground discussion.
The Career Center will co-sponsor Resident Life’s other concrete plan for a new living-learning community. Martin said she hopes it will help students figure out how their academic and extracurricular experiences contribute to their career aspirations.
“We recognize that, in all our halls, we have bright and talented students of different backgrounds and experiences, and that is something of which ResLife and students should take advantage,” Martin said. “We also wanted to figure out a way to get students to engage with each other more on an academic level.”
Resident Life officials will continue to pilot the programs, which they plan to implement on North Campus over the next five years.
There is also a possibility that some of these groups will offer academic credit, Martin said.
“We are very excited to create vibrant, energetic communities where our students can truly learn from each other,” she said.
dbarreradbk@gmail.com
