THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220099
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIRSTEN SORTON, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
UNIVERSITIES everywhere are seeking alternatives to traditional dormitory living. Schools want students to interact more with faculty, the surrounding community and those living in other dorms, while at the same time providing an environment that feels like home.
A few universities have solved the problem by creating ``residential colleges,'' small units within the university that increase the sense of community.
Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., created its residential college system in 1972 with four residential colleges focusing on subjects such as philosophy and religion. Today, the system has expanded to 11 colleges covering international studies, the arts, business, communications, public affairs, humanities, science and mathematics.
``These colleges were created to increase faculty and student contact, said Nancy Anderson, Northwestern's coordinator of residential colleges.
Students apply to live in these dorms by submitting essays on what they would add to the mix. The ``master,'' or head, of each college, along with housing administrators, decide where students live. Students' majors do not influence where they end up.
``We have students who are majoring in journalism living in the humanities residential college,'' Anderson said.
Some students pick dorms close to their majors. For example, freshman Jennifer Carrier, 18, who lives in the Jones Fine and Performing Arts Residential College, is a viola performance major from Charlotte, N.C.
``I wanted to live here because I would have more opportunities. I thought if I live here, there would be a common interest bond,'' Jennifer said.
Jennifer was also impressed with Jones' facilities, especially the seven practice rooms where she can play her viola.
``I can go down at all times of the night. It is really convenient. If you get the urge to express yourself, you can do it at any time,'' Jennifer said.
Jones students can learn painting, dance, pottery or photography in its art studios and performance space. Jones has a computer studio and television lounge. Interaction with Northwestern's art community comes through the college's resident theater company, undergraduate photography exhibit and musical composition competition. ANOTHER OPTION
Not all residential college have themes.
Rice University in Houston, Texas, started its non-thematic residential college program in 1957. Rice students are randomly assigned to one of eight dorms. The students remain a member of their ``college'' until they graduate.
Each college has a ``master,'' a tenured faculty member who acts as a friend/parent/professor.
``We help them on the path to autonomy and maturity,'' said Dennis Shirley, an education professor and master of Will Rice College. He lives with his wife and two children in a house 12 feet from the college.
During his three-year tenure as a master, Shirley has resolved roommate conflicts, taken students to the hospital and even bailed a few out of jail. He mingles with students at meals and knows the names of all 225 residents.
``Before the freshmen came, I sat down and memorized all their names. I know what they are into and where they vacationed. When they first came in, I already knew a lot about them,'' Shirley said. ``It really does build a community. It seems like something that works. The students are very devoted.''
The devotion can last a lifetime. ``Usually, the first question asked by alumni is not what year or major someone is. It is what college they were in,'' Shirley said.
Junior Ian Marquardt, resident and president of Will Rice College, agrees that the college system is a good idea.
``It is like a family,'' Ian said. WHAT'S UP IN VIRGINIA
Residential colleges do exist at some Virginia schools.
The University of Virginia has two non-thematic residential colleges - Brown College and Hereford College. The program began in 1986. Residence applications are reviewed by students, who decide whether to accept the applicant.
Hereford College consists of five dormitories, which 500 students ranging from first year to graduate levels. Melvin Cherno, professor of engineering, has been the master of Hereford College since it was founded in 1992.
Cherno and his wife live in the top two floors of a house among Hereford's residential halls. Cherno eats meals with students, attends their committee meetings and is generally available to any student who needs to talk.
Hereford offers a wide diversity to students.
``We have first-year students, graduate students and all students in between. We have different types of majors, a large minority population and an international student population,'' Cherno said. ``I think that this is one of our most distinct features.''
Suzanne Stock, a fourth-year student from Richmond majoring in History, agrees with Cherno.
``It's such a diverse group of people. I've met people from all over the world and people who also live a few miles from my home town,'' Suzanne said.
She also likes the accessibility she has to faculty members and graduate students.
Other Virginia schools have programs similar to residential colleges. Virginia Wesleyan has an International dormitory where foreign students are paired with American roommates. Old Dominion University has an international dorm where foreign and American students live together.
And George Mason University offers Russia House, with emphasis on Russian language and culture, and Community House, emphasizing involvement in the university and the community. by CNB