Residence Life

Special Interest Communities

Residence Life has developed new relationships with academic departments on campus to create special interest communities that unite common academic and social interest with the residential experience. These communities focus the residential experience for first-year students, provide opportunities for facutly interaction and academic development, and contribute to a successful transition to college life. Each community will participate in intentional activities based in community service, organized discussions with faculty, and involvement with the Washington, D.C., community.

Social Justice

The Social Justice Special Interest Community is open to any freshman interested in education, awareness and activism related to issues of social justice in our local community and throughout the world. The community will be located in South Neighborhood's Spellman Hall, which traditionally houses first-year students on campus.

Members of the Social Justice community will:

• Gain an understanding of the basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Participate in constructive discussions surrounding a myriad of topics within social justice.
• Begin to develop well thought out positions on social justice topics and intelligently defend her or his view.
• Understand the concept of active non-violent advocacy.
• Have practical experience with a community service organization.

Objectives:

• Students will attend weekly meetings during which they will learn and discuss different social justice issues. Students will be encouraged to become the teachers, facilitating meetings on a regular basis.
• Students will be asked to volunteer for 2-4 hours per week at an advocacy or service organization where they will be exposed to social justice in action.
• Students will learn about active non-violence such as peaceful protest, letter writing, boycott and active support.

Politics and Current Events (first-year students)

The Freshmen Politics Special Interest Community is a unique housing option intended for freshmen who want to actively engage in discussion and debate over the big political issues of the day in a residential environment.

The Freshmen Politics Special Interest Community is designed to help integrate members into Washington, D.C.'s political landscape and demonstrate the wide array of possibilities in the political field during college and after graduation. It will provide information about internship opportunities, study abroad options, and other experiences that could benefit residents. The community will be located in South Neighborhood's Spellman Hall, which traditionally houses first-year students on campus.

Residents of the Freshmen Politics Living and Learning Community are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in weekly Round Table discussions during which a variety of political issues will be debated.
• Actively participate in the CUA and DC political community and bring those experiences back to the FPLLC
• Attend and actively participate in the activities and events of the community including, but not limited to:
• Guest Lectures
• Watching major political events as a community
• At least 2 D.C. Outings a semester

Politics and Current Events (returning students)

Information Coming soon.