Submit a Request for a Special Living Option

Residential Life is very interested in joining you in a collaborative effort to provide housing opportunities that are thoughtful and will benefit your academic endeavors. The request for creating a Special Living/Interest Option is designed to describe important aspects of the proposed special living option and is the criteria we will be looking at in considering your application. Your request will be evaluated based on the information provided, so please be as clear and concise as possible. You will also have an opportunity to present your request in person to Residential Life.

Please complete the application below in a Word document and submit it to the Coordinator for Academic Programs at john.sears@uconn.edu.

1. Title and Topic of Proposed Cluster, Learning Community, or Special Interest

• Example:
  Title: Teacher Education
  Topic: Secondary and elementary education

2. Purpose (goal) Statement

A concise statement of the reasons for having such a house/floor/area and the ways in which the cluster might meet special needs/interests of students or the department(s).

• Example:
  This community would serve to provide support from each other and the department for those in the education program. Living together will enable those in student teaching positions to lives with others who understand their schedules and experience. Furthermore, it will provide encourage to upper division students who are struggling to fulfill the program requirements.

3. Number and Type of Students

Number of students for whom the house/floor/area is intended; restrictions such as freshman/upperclassmen; members of a given organization only; students of a given major or co-curricular interest; gender desired for community.

• Example:
  The community would consist of 20 to 40 students. It would be restricted to senior education majors who are doing student teaching during the course of the academic year. The residence hall space should be able to house both genders. Ideally the community would be housed in apartments to accommodate a typical schedule. Meaning, those student teaching are unable to eat 2 meals a day in the dining hall and have to work some evening. Living in the apartments will enable the students to prepare their lunches for school and cook dinner. Furthermore, it will provide a common space to work on the many projects that are due throughout the semester.

4. Proposed Staff Needs

Indicate here any special staff arrangements you feel might be necessary. For example, indicate if more than one Community Assistant is needed or if the staff member should have special training, skills, or interests.

• Example:
  One Community Assistant is all that is necessary for the success of this community. Ideally, we would like an CA that is in the education program and understands our needs to maintain a strict sleeping schedule. There is no need for any special training.

5. Proposed Location (if any)

if you have a location in mind for the floor/house/area, indicate that location here. (Residential Life reserves all rights to assign a special living option to any specific location.)

• Example:
  We would like our community to be housed several apartments in Hilltop Apartments. Currently, many education majors seek to live there during their last year. Therefore, we believe that we will have no problem maintaining an interest in the community.

6. Program Content and Format

Describe the community program format specifications (e.g., required optional, weekly/monthly, on-campus/off-campus). Describe the kind of programs (e.g., career exploration, academic advising, computer workshops, activities) that will convey the message of the living area. Include here any plans for a programming committee should you have one.

• Example:
  As a community we are committed to attending a weekly meal to discuss our experiences in education and our community. Furthermore, all members will be expected to attend a monthly event. If unable to attend, they will have to attend an alternate event on their own and submit it to the community. We would like to have the faculty involved in our weekly dinner meetings. We would like to see many programs offered that will prepare us for job searching, interviewing, working the parents, understanding the legislation that is impacting teachers in CT, etc. We would like to have the CA plan some events and also our faculty sponsor. We will be attending many events already hosted by our department together and spending some time discussing how we can apply those to our experience. We would like to use our student teaching experience as an opportunity to identify a need in the community and then encourage some type of community service project within our residence hall area. For example: buying a needy family gifts for the holiday season. We will make decisions like this at our weekly meals.

7. Possible Program Topics

List 5 of 6 possible program topics.

• Example:
  Working with parents at the secondary and elementary level
  Preparing a resume
  Interviewing for teaching positions
  Understanding how current legislation can impact teachers and classrooms
  Understanding state requirements for teacher certifications

8. Name(s) and Phone Number(s) of Faculty/Staff Advisor(s)

• Example:
  Academic Clusters: List the name(s) and phone number(s) of the faculty willing to serve as and advisor(s). An advisor would be an outside resource person (not a Community Assistant) who works with the area in accomplishing its purpose. First Year Learning Communities: List the name(s) of and phone number(s) of the faculty/staff willing to serve as the 1 credit First Year Experience course instructor. This person in conjunction with the Hall/Community Director will work in accomplishing its purpose.

9. Attach Signatures of Students Interested in Living in the Area

On the separate sheet designed for student signatures, submit the signatures of students eligible for the special interest area who want to live there. Please make sure that the students who sign this form know that they are agreeing to live there if the application is approved, and if they follow all room selection/room draw procedure.

10. Student Organizations

Should your group represent an established or recognized student organization, please submit your constitution.

11. Include the Contact Person's (Person submitting form) Name, Address, and Phone Number

Please remember to type the form and return it to Residential Life by the established deadline. Contact a Hall/Community Director or the Coordinator for Academic Programs (john.sears@uconn.edu) if you have any questions.