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Housing

Living/Learning Communities

Being part of a community is about making connections with others who have common interests. Community is about getting involved and contributing to something larger than you. Living Learning Communities (LLCs) at Central Washington University bridge students' academic interests with their residence hall living experience.

Students with common academic interests live together in the same residence hall and develop personal and academic relationships with other students and faculty from a field of study. Students participate in out-of-classroom enrichment activities that support their academic pursuits. As noted below, some LLCs are connected to specific courses that students take together.

Theme Communities are not connected to a specific academic discipline, but allow students the opportunity to live and learn with students who share common interests. As with Living Learning Communities, they allow students to build relationships with other students and faculty and staff who share their interests.

2012-2013 Living Learning and Theme Communities

  1. Asian Pacific Islander American House
  2. Aviation
  3. Casa Latina
  4. Education
  5. Leadership House
  6. Music
  7. S.T.E.P.
  8. Students for the Dream
  9. William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC)
  10. Women's Experience
  11. Recreation & Sustainability
  12. International House

Asian Pacific Islander American House - Kamola Hall 

Central Washington University is proud to announce the creation of our newest Living Learning Community, the Asian Pacific Islander American House. Members of Asia Pacific Islander American (APIA) House have an academic and personal interest in Asian Pacific American history, culture, and contemporary issues. Through organized academic and social activities such as student-led lectures, group discussions, cultural events, and community service, residents become part of a unique environment for interaction and learning. APIA House supports a close-knit community and is comparable to a home away from home.

Faculty:

Yukari Amos
Black Hall 204-10
(509) 963-1378
amosy@cwu.edu



Aviation - Wendell Hill Hall 

Students involved with this program must be accepted into the Aviation program. Students take a series of classes together including University 101. Some examples of the programs students have been involved with include visiting the Museum of flight, FAA review study sessions, and community service projects with children at the local airport.

Faculty:

Teresa Sloan
Black Hall 225-5
(509) 963-3691
sloant@cwu.edu


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Casa Latina - Meisner Hall

Casa Latina is a multicultural LLC open to all students who share an interest in Latina/o heritage and culture. Casa Latina offers a common academic experience through a variety of social and cultural events, mentoring and support programs, and community outreach activities.

Casa Latina Faculty include:

Stella Moreno - LLAS Co-Director L&L 102J 509-963-3347 morenos@cwu.edu

 

For more information about the Latino & Latin American Studies program, please visit http://www.cwu.edu/latino-latin-american/.


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 Education - Kamola and Sue Lombard Halls

Students anticipating a career in education or in a field working with children or youth are eligible. Students will be enrolled in a common University 101 class which will help students transition into the Education program. Education LLC residents participate in teacher-led discussions, teacher education preparation sessions, and volunteer in local schools.

Faculty:


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Leadership House - Kamola Hall

Students interested in connecting with University leadership positions and learning about academic opportunities surrounding leadership is encouraged to participate.The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement provides students with the opportunities to further their leadership skills and positively impact their campus, local, and global communities. Students involved in this program can participate in monthly leadership workshops and have the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders class, leadership retreats, and the Cross-cultural Leadership Program. Participation in the Leadership House can be recorded on a student's Leadership Transcript. 

Faculty:


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Music - Alford-Montgomery and Wendell Hill Halls

Students with declared or anticipated major/minor in music or have in an interest in music enrichment are eligible. Programs in past years have included visiting the Spokane Symphony, attending the musical Rent in Seattle, taking special lessons in Taiko (Japanese drumming), and participating in vocal performances on campus.

Faculty:


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Science Talent Expansion Program (S.T.E.P.) - Kamola and Sue Lombard Halls

Students involved with this program must be accepted into the Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP). Students participating with STEP explore theme-based scientific issues, gain hands-on experience in modern scientific research, and develop a mentoring relationship with CWU Science faculty. Students accepted into STEP will take a sequence of three general education classes in a small classroom setting. Student programs in this area have included hikes on Mount Rainier, river-rafting trips, visits to the Seattle Zoo, and presentations on Mount St. Helens. For more information about STEP please visit their website at: www.cwu.edu/step 

If interested in the S.T.E.P. program, contact Jessica Nye, Department of Geological Sciences at Lind Hall 108,  (509)-963-3002 or nyejess@cwu.edu

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Students for the Dream - Meisner Hall

The Students for the Dream Living Learning Community is a diverse and inclusive community based on the core values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of the essential dignity and advancement of all human beings. The Students for the Dream Living Learning Community is open to students from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 

Students explore their own cultures and identities, deepen their understanding of other cultures, and enhance their cross-cultural communication skills and cultural competencies through an organized series of intellectual, cultural and social programs. Students develop a sense of community and develop critical leadership skills as they collaboratively plan and implement campus programs, such as the annual MLK Candlelight Vigil, Mardi Gras Celebration, Bring Your Culture to the Table, Spring Fling, Movie Nights, and the Final Exam Brunch. 

During fall quarter, Students for the Dream enroll in University 101, which is taught by faculty and staff advisors and designed to ensure the academic and personal success of first-year students in a supportive and nurturing campus environment. Students residing in this Living Learning Community are assigned peer mentors and receive mentoring, academic advising, financial aid counseling, and leadership development and training workshops throughout the academic year. 

Upon successful completion of their first year with the Students for the Dream Living Learning Community, many of our students assume prestigious student leadership positions in university centers and departments while others serve in leadership positions in various student organizations. 

Faculty:

Keith Champagne 
Bouillon 204
(509) 963-1515
champagn@cwu.edu
Bobby Cummings
Michaelson 133.104
(509) 963-1659
cummings@cwu.edu


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William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC) - Barto Hall 

Students Admitted into the Douglas Honors College are eligible to live in this LLC. Faculty and students collaborate in creating opportunities of broad exposure in the areas of liberal arts and the natural and social sciences. Students engage in a number of different activities that enhance their work in the classroom, such as informal discussions with DHC professors and guest lectures, but they also explore extracurricular interests with games and cultural events. For more information about DHC please visit their website at: http://www.cwu.edu/douglas-honors/ 

Interested students should contact Dr. Matthew Altman, Director, at Language and Literature building - DHC Office, 509-963-1440 or altmanm@cwu.edu

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Theme Communities

What is a Theme Community?

Theme communities are not connected to a specific academic discipline, but allow students the opportunity to live and learn with students who share common interests. As with Living Learning Communities, Theme Communities allow students to build relationships with other students and faculty and staff who share their interests. Theme Communities differ from Living Learning Communities in that the Theme Communities are primarily focused on shared interest rather than a specific area of academic study. 

Women's Experience - Sparks Hall

This Theme Community will work with multiple areas on campus including The Center for Diversity and Social Justice. The purpose of this program is to promote awareness of women's issues including leadership, gender, equity, and prevention of violence against women. There will be civil contexts for discussing emotional issues, thus helping students to increase their critical thinking skills and to work for a just nonviolent society. 

Faculty:

Mal Stewman
SURC Room 250
(509) 963-2122
stewmanm@cwu.edu

Outdoor Recreation & Sustainability - Beck Hall

This program offers residents the opportunity to be involved in outdoor recreation and sustainability activities while connecting with other students who share their interests. The purpose of the program is to engage students in outdoor activities while developing a greater understanding of the importance of sustainable activities in the environment. In partnership with Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals, students will explore the areas many outdoor recreational opportunities, lead adventures, and create sustainable living practices.

Faculty:

Dr. Ken Cohen
Michaelson 136
(509) 963-1967
cohenk@cwu.edu

International House

International House (I-House) is designed for students interested in becoming more invovled with world issues and participating in activities surrounding our global society. There are many opportunities for students to interact with others from around the world. Students invovled in this program will have the opportunity to learn more about studying abroad and different cultural perspectives, and will gain cross-cultural living experience. Previous programs have included trips to the Seattle International District, classic film series, and cultural meal programs. 

Faculty:

Roz Moes
International Center 106
(509) 963-3614
moesr@cwu.edu

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