Living learning Centers offer support
The Academic and College Interest Program, more commonly known as Living Learning Centers, is a new and innovative approach to learning at Utah State University. The program matches students from the same college or interest area in living situations together.
“The Living Learning Centers are designed to increase academic support and also to increase faculty and staff interactions with students in their areas,” said Steven Jenson, director of Housing and Food Services at USU.
In this, the first year of the program at USU, the colleges of HASS, Engineering, Family Life and Business all have floors in the Student Living Center set aside for their students. In addition, there is a Washakie and Circle of Dreams Floor set aside for those with Native American and multi-cultural interests. Global Village is set aside for internationally interested students. Next year Housing intends to expand the program with College of Agriculture housing, leadership housing and two undeclared halls, Jenson said.
“These undeclared halls are expected to help students focus in on what they want to do Jenson said. Programs will be enacted to help them find where their interests lie and will eventually help them to graduate quicke.”
The leadership housing will provide leadership courses helping students develop skills for current and future leadership opportunities, Jenson said. Furthermore, such courses look great on résumés, he said.
Although these students are given additional opportunities for interaction with those of similar interests, Jenson does not believe this inhibits their ability to interact with other students across campus.
“Most of these Living Learning Centers covers only one floor, allowing the participants to interact with many other students. Also there are Student Association Activities which include all students and a variety of other ways in which to meet people,” Jenson said.
Kristen Scofield, a freshman majoring in early childhood development and living on the Family Life floor of Rich Hall, agreed with Jenson.
“Living on the Family Life floor doesn’t stop us from meeting other people,” Scofield said. “I’m always off to one of the other buildings, and there are a lot of activities where everyone is invited.”
The program has offered her scholastic benefits, Scofield said. People on her floor have a lot of the same classes and can study together. Also at the beginning of the year the program sponsored a barbecue where the students were able to meet the dean and faculty in their major.
“The most beneficial part of the program is bringing people with common interests together,” Jenson said. “There is a wealth of opportunity at their [the participants’] fingertips. It is then up to the student to take advantage of it and participate in the program.”
To learn more about the Living Learning Centers and how to get involved with them log on to: http/webbie.hsg.
usu.edu/housing/