2008 Woodie Awards
Special-interest floors house freshmen with common ties
Kathryn Zweifel
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: News
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While it is typical for students to claim they live in the academic buildings designated for their major, some freshmen this year really are living where they are learning.
Last year, Marist Housing introduced a new program into a freshman dorm-the science floor of Champagnat Hall, specifically reserved for freshmen with science majors. This school year, Champagnat Hall is host to two specialized floors called "living and learning communities." They cater to freshmen involved in community service or majoring in science.
According to Sarah English, director of Housing and Residential Life, plans for the program began when the science department approached Housing a few years ago, suggesting that the freshmen involved in the sciences be housed together. Last year, Housing implemented the program, which received about 30 applicants. This year, three floors were proposed: Community service, science, and emerging leaders. Although not enough incoming freshmen expressed interest in the emerging leaders program to warrant their own floor, twice as many students applied for the science floor. The community service program proved popular among freshman as well.
"We like to have floors for people who want to do more than the typical activities we offer," English said. "We are pulling academics into the residential setting. Students have the opportunity to have dinners with faculty, meet with upperclassmen about majors, and have review sessions with upperclassmen for lab classes."
Kerri Aris, a freshman with a double major in biology and education, said that she signed up for the program because there was so much she wanted to do. Aris said she though it would be helpful to live with students who had the same classes she did, and said that she would most likely take advantage of similar programs if they were ever offered in upperclassmen residence areas. Living on the science floor "makes life easier," Aris said. "Biology is a demanding major, so having people right there with you makes it easier."
Last year, Marist Housing introduced a new program into a freshman dorm-the science floor of Champagnat Hall, specifically reserved for freshmen with science majors. This school year, Champagnat Hall is host to two specialized floors called "living and learning communities." They cater to freshmen involved in community service or majoring in science.
According to Sarah English, director of Housing and Residential Life, plans for the program began when the science department approached Housing a few years ago, suggesting that the freshmen involved in the sciences be housed together. Last year, Housing implemented the program, which received about 30 applicants. This year, three floors were proposed: Community service, science, and emerging leaders. Although not enough incoming freshmen expressed interest in the emerging leaders program to warrant their own floor, twice as many students applied for the science floor. The community service program proved popular among freshman as well.
"We like to have floors for people who want to do more than the typical activities we offer," English said. "We are pulling academics into the residential setting. Students have the opportunity to have dinners with faculty, meet with upperclassmen about majors, and have review sessions with upperclassmen for lab classes."
Kerri Aris, a freshman with a double major in biology and education, said that she signed up for the program because there was so much she wanted to do. Aris said she though it would be helpful to live with students who had the same classes she did, and said that she would most likely take advantage of similar programs if they were ever offered in upperclassmen residence areas. Living on the science floor "makes life easier," Aris said. "Biology is a demanding major, so having people right there with you makes it easier."