by Rob Strauss
Staff Writer
Housing and Residential Life is giving students an opportunity to experience the “Real World” in La Verne with special interest residence halls that will be offered next semester.
“It’s important for people living in the residence halls that they are involved in a program where they are connected,” said Derek Vergara, director of Housing and Residential Life.
Students will be able to live in these halls for no additional fees after they have completed the application process and are accepted.
The first hall will be a cross cultural hall, known as “The Rainbow Project.” This hall, which will be located in A top of the Oaks, will consist of five “pods,” or multicultural activities, residents will take part in.
Vergara explained that one does not necessarily have to be a minority to live in the hall. He would like “anyone who is interested in cross cultural issues.”
The second special interest hall deals with health and fitness and will be known as “Body Works.” Residents in this hall will learn about eating healthy, working out properly and managing stress levels. This hall will be located on B bottom of the Oaks.
Vergara explains that the point of this hall is for individuals to find out how they can be better students on an emotional and a spiritual level.
At the beginning of the year, residents will have a retreat and the year will end with a celebration that Vergara hopes will educate the University.
The program will not replace University 100. “The laboratory of U100 is so confined,” said Vergara, who would like the program to be more of a place where students can actually “live it out.”
Vergara said he has received two applications from interested students. His goal is 18 residents in each hall.
To apply to these halls residents must complete a Special Interest Hall form and a statement of purposes for why they would like to stay in the hall of their choice. Students also must also be committed to the programs.
“I want people to be involved and learn,” said Vergara, who is hoping the program will catch on quickly.
“I know in three years it will be a thriving program,” he said
