Residents Share Mixed Emotions On Recent Announcement
By Tommy Liljedahl
This coming fall, Seth North, one of Central Connecticut State University’s residence halls, will become the campus’ first exclusively freshman dorm.
The intent, according to Vice President Of Student Affairs Laura Tordenti, is to establish a community for new students and to enhance learning outside the classroom, and increase student engagement.
“A lot of literature suggests that students in intentionally structured living environments are more successful,” Tordenti said. “Seth North basement consists of computers and a community room, creating a great learning and socializing environment. The building can hold 100 to 110 freshmen, and housing will be given on a first come, first serve basis.”
The change will be announced at the open house meeting on April 13, and even further publicized to incoming students and parents.
“We want to create awareness for this fun learning experience and tremendous opportunity,” said Jean Alicandro, the director of residence life.
The benefits go beyond social engagement and others have made significant efforts towards this project.
Through a partnership with the Learning Center, each floor of Seth North will be assigned a graduate student to aid and enhance the experience, academically or otherwise.
Experienced resident assistants with a flair for working with younger students are also being solicited to join the effort.
“It’s great to have so many people enthusiastically involved,” said Alicandro. “We hope to create a really tight-knit community through activities, trips and even ‘pure fun’. Structured living has been successful for CCSU, as well as other universities, in the past.”
Three years ago, after discussing the concept of a living and learning experience, Central ran a pilot in Vance Hall, which grouped based on majors. The groups included Engineering, Elementary Education, Exercise Science and Physical Education.
“Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) at CCSU are on-campus communities designed for students with common majors and academic interests, and have been very successful,” said Alicandro.
The change naturally forces older students already living in Seth North to move and adjust, thus creating conflict. Accommodations, however, will be made.
“We had a meeting with the RAs and residents of Seth North, explaining the situation, and making it apparent that they will be granted first access to new housing for the fall,” Alicandro said.
“I was definitely a little bummed when I first heard the news,” said junior Max Pieper, Seth North resident. “But it’s really nice that they would give us first choice of housing, and I plan on moving into James Hall with a few of my friends.”
“My main concern is that no one asked our opinion or for our input before making these plans,” said Simms Sonet, a Seth North resident. “I recognize the view points and understand the idea Residence Life has in making Seth North a freshmen dorm, but because they knew how close the community we built was and how much the dorm meant to us, it would have been nice to be asked how we would have felt about it first.”
“I feel like if its an all freshman dorm the students will be with other people their own age,” said Brian Gottier, a graduate student and former Seth North resident. “It will make things more comfortable for them when they are getting adjusted.”
As of now, the plan is a pilot that will be carefully assessed following each year.
“This is something new, so we plan to observe it diligently,” said Tordenti. “Based on history, however, we have no reason to believe it will be unsuccessful.”
The structured living environment of Seth North is expected to create comfort, enhanced learning and fun for incoming CCSU students. According to Tordenti: “Fun is never overrated.”
Kassondra Granata also contributed to this story.
