Photo by *file photo*
Students in an environmental studies senior capstone course are trying to create a sustainability-themed residence hall where students can improve the environment and bond with like-minded peers.
Seniors Claire Burrus, Miles Wehner, Shayla Bolding and Willa Rubin were enrolled in the environmental studies senior capstone course this semester when they were brainstorming a project that would solve a sustainability problem on Trinity’s campus. Their idea was to create a living space for students interested in promoting sustainability.
The group created a constitution for the hall and spoke to the Trinity administration, the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success and Residential Life about what would be possible.
Sustainability Hall is patterned after HOPE Hall — a living learning community where students fulfill a specific educational objective by living in the hall.
Rachel Boaz, assistant director of Residential Life, explained the concept of a living learning community.
“A true living learning community in the higher [education] definition is a community where everyone who’s living in that community has a similar academic curricular path. That means they’re in a formal academic course and having programming in the residence hall that is directly related to that programming,” Boaz said.
While providing educational opportunities, the hall would also promote leadership and team bonding. Rubin discussed the hall’s possible social aspects.
“There would be officers, so there would be leadership positions available for students to experience, and they’d be working with the administration and faculty, which would be a great networking opportunity in our plans. We have plans for a seminar that students would be taking, so that gives them the opportunity to get lectures from faculty, or possibly outside organizations, if we have the budget for that,” Rubin said. “It’s a way to have that social engagement and easy avenues for friendship, but it doesn’t require any social implications of substance-free or Greek life organizations.”
Dan Monson • Jun 11, 2018 at 4:14 pm
In a society that is more and more divided, where we find like minded people and avoid those who challenge our beliefs, this seems like an idea that will stifle intellectual growth.