Residence Life introduced the brand new Common-Interest Living Communities last year, to accompany the popular Arches program. The idea of Common-Interest Communities became reality last semester with the four different communities’ students can choose from: Nuestra Casa, Entrepreneurship, Visual and Performing Arts Culture and the ecofriendly Environmental Sustainability community.
Michael Battista was immediately interested when he saw a flyer hanging up in Thomas Hall for the community. Environmental science is something he has always been interested in and thought it was worth a try to live in a specific community.
“I figured it would be a good way to meet people who may be heading in a similar direction as me, career-wise. I also thought it would be a good way to bring like-minded people together and maybe accomplish some kind of goal to help make living on campus a little more ecofriendly,” said Battista.
The community did accomplish just that, by placing recycling bins throughout Horan Hall. By carrying out their plan, they’ve been able to raise awareness about keeping the planet clean. Residents who hadn’t thought about recycling or had no way of recycling are now able to because of the group’s efforts.
“We are currently in the process of putting some other ideas into action in regards to how we encourage recycling and other green habits on campus,” said Battista, of future plans.
Other residents have been enjoying the floor, especially with those who are interested in pursuing a career in the environmental sciences. Battista thinks that the floor was a success, with many of the students planning on returning next year.
“Get involved if you think you might be interested because they are a great opportunity to network and get involved on campus. The more people that are active in these communities, the more brain power there is to make changes on campus,” said Battista.
Through the friendships made and the comradery in the common-interest communities, it is obvious they have been a success. In environmental sustainability community, this is no different.