There’s no place like home

Dorothy had to click her heels three times in order to get home. At the University of West Florida, students need only walk through the doors of their residence halls to feel the warmth, safety and acceptance of a place called home. UWF Housing and Residence Life strives to offer students living on campus a home environment that is not only academically nurturing, but also socially engaging. In an effort to provide students with more opportunities to engage with their peers outside of the classroom, UWF will introduce a new “Living and Learning Communities” initiative this fall. Geared toward both new and returning students, the program includes the First Year Experience housing for freshmen students and themed housing areas open to all students.

“Under this new initiative, where students choose to live will be tied with their academics, housing programs, activities and special interests,” said Ruth Davison, director of Housing and Residence Life. “Part of the process will also involve creating curriculum-based models designed to help freshmen and first-time students successfully transition into college life.”

Martin Hall, a 300-bed housing facility, will be the prime location for the “Living and Learning Communities,” as well as two of the Southside buildings which will house 30 freshmen and two resident advisors. Through “Living and Learning Communities,” freshmen will be able to interact with faculty mentors who adopt hallways, meet with the students for monthly dinners and stop by for ‘Knock and Talks’ to check in on how students are doing.

“We hope this will be an extension of the classroom on a social level with the intent that it will enhance the educational opportunities for students,” said Davison. “These interactions allow students to form relationships with peers, faculty and staff members. They can walk with their roommate to class, use a recent hall program to help them study for a test or ask advice from their faculty mentors.”

“Living and Learning Communities” will also be geared towards returning students as well, creating communities around common interests. “Argos in Action” for example, will be a hall focused around those students involved and passionate about community service. Other hall areas include Outdoor Adventures, ROTC, Global Living community for those interested in pairing up with international students and focusing on global issues and Wellness community for students who want a specific focus on healthy and balanced living.

“We feel that we will still have very diverse and eclectic communities,” said Davison. “We want people to be able to feel that they are at home with neighbors they can engage with. It’s not just about finding someone a bed.”

Pace Hall already has a “Living and Learning Community” present, since 80 percent of its residents are Honors Program students. The Honors community served as a model for creating the new communities. Housing and Residence Life is also open to working with other departments on campus to create a specific environment for students. Any students who are currently living on the UWF campus will have the opportunity to choose a “Living and Learning Community” at room selection March 26 in the University Commons Conference Center.

“We are getting great feedback from students as well as faculty,” said Davison. “This is truly about partnership and engaging people outside of the classroom at every level of the institution, so that our students can find success.”

For more information, contact Davison at (850) 474-2217 or e-mail rdavison@uwf.edu. For more about UWF Housing and Residence Life, visit uwf.edu/housing.

By Megan Clark, University Marketing Communications