As many of you know, UVM’s Living/Learning Center has a longstanding tradition of offering students programmed housing with themed suites. Five-six students share a suite and participate in group activities based on their housing theme. I lived in L/L this year, and I have to say, it changed my college experience completely. I was placed in a suite with people who shared some of my academic interests, but otherwise, seemed completely foreign. At first I panicked, thinking I would never survive the year with these weirdos, but after six months, my attitude couldn’t be more opposite. My program is called the Integrated Humanities Program, so I live in a suite with five other girls in a column with about twenty five other IHP students. The sense of community that developed in our suite and in our column is something I couldn’t appreciate more. These ‘weirdos’ became my quirky and lovable little family. I never would have pictured myself calling them my best friends, but after months of living together, helping each other with homework, and going on late night Marche runs, that’s exactly what they are.
ResLife recently announced the programmed housing options for next year, and as you can probably tell, I’m a big advocate for applying! I interviewed the directors of two of 2012′s up-and-coming programs to provide a glimpse of the L/L lifestyle. You can viewt the full list of programs here, but for now, check out these two examples of the suite life:
Jacob Lumbra and Annie Maheux: Experimental Arts Program
Q: What is your program about?
A: Our program is about creating and experimenting with new and different styles of art. We will be employing avant garde techniques to explore artistic possibilities with a variety of media. The program will not only focus on creating art, but also explore the history of experimental art forms. There will be a specific focus on at as a means political and social change.
Q: Why should people apply for your program?
A: Obviously if you are interested in art, our program would be a great fit for you. But in terms of the living situation, we feel that Living and Learning provides a great experience as a whole. It really allows people with similar interests to unite and it creates communities that become families!
Q: How did the idea for your program come about?
A: We honestly are just very interested in breaking boundaries with art. There are no rules to the creative process, and we want to foster a community that is not necessarily interested in a specific visual goal, but rather more focused on enjoying the process of creating art. We both had a good experience with the Integrated Fine Arts program this year, but we would like to build off what we learned, and extend it and grow with it.
Maddie Willis and Sierra Monroe: P.E.A.C.E (People Educating and Acting to Create Equality)
Q: What is your program about?
A: Our program is focused on exploring social justice and injustice. We will be learning about social systems, how we can inspire change, and how our personal lives intersect with these issues.
Q: Do you have any specific ideas or plans?
A: We want to do a lot of volunteer work, as we are seriously interested in creating change on campus. We are also planning movie nights, guest speakers, including state representatives from Vermont, and a possible gallery that will showcase social justice work being done in Burlington and at UVM.
Q: Why should people apply for your program?
A: Our program is going to be an intense growing experience , we feel that apart from learning about social justice, there is a lot to learn about each other. Our community is going to be very open, and while our program has a serious focus, it will also be a lot of fun! This is an opportunity for one to get deeply involved in something bigger while in college.
To apply for the Experimental Arts Program, P.E.A.C.E, or any programmed housing options, click here! For more information, check out the Living/Learning Center Program Fair. This will take place in the Fireplace Lounge, on Wednesday, February 29th! The fair goes from 3:00-5:30. Here you can talk with Jacob, Annie, Maddie, Sierra, and all the program directors to learn more about the application process.
