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A Healthier Community
through House Collective
Residence Life house system brings unity
on campus
By Janai Tedder
Leaves aren’t the only thing changing
on CIU’s campus this fall as the Director
of Residence Life, David Blanchard,
kicked off the year by implementing
a new dormitory housing system, the
House Collective. Under this new
arrangement, freshman live alongside
the upperclassmen in a unified house
associated with the six existing residence
halls.
After coming on staff in June 2015,
Blanchard made it a priority to get a feel
for where students are in their journey
at CIU. After talking to students and
the Residence Life team, Blanchard
says everyone agreed it was time for
something new that would bring the
campus together.
“We wanted to keep all the best parts
of the first year experience but build on
that so that the second, third and fourth
year experiences were just as strong,”
Blanchard said.
Commuter students and students
living in Pine View Apartments are
also assigned to a house. Each house
is named for a virtue, and has its own
crest and Bible verse associated with its
virtue. The virtues, in Latin, are: Fidelitas,
Dignitas and Veritas for the women;
Virtus, Justitia, and Sapientia for the men.
It’s hoped that traditions will develop
at each house that will be honored by
future students.
“The House Collective gives students
a great way to connect with others
at CIU and catalyze new energy and
enthusiasm,” said Rachel Joung, an RA in
the House of Fidelitas.
Blanchard and the Residence Life team
have been overwhelmed at the support
and acceptance of the House Collective,
and the first annual House Throwdown
competition at the beginning of the
school year.
“From helping decorate the hall, to
eating meals in the cafeteria with new
girls, to getting pumped about the
Throwdown, these students have been a
blessing and a gift of God’s faithfulness
as they catch hold of the vision with me
and the Res Life team,” Joung said.
Grant Shaver, a junior, believes the House
Collective has given him opportunities
to meet other students, particularly
freshmen, and build new friendships.
“It’s a lot easier now that we can just walk
into their rooms and get to know each
other rather than going into a different
building,” Shaver said. “There’s a better
sense of community and we’re a lot
closer together … pushing each other
further in our Christian walk.”
Student Caroline Crabtree says she has
seen a significant change on campus
especially as students mix with classes
other than their own.
“When I started my sophomore year, I
remember feeling shut off from the other
classes because we didn’t have much
interaction,” said Crabtree, a junior.
“Now, there are freshman, sophomores
and seniors right across my hall, creating
more opportunities for community
building and fellowship.”
Freshmen through seniors get together in
the Quad for volleyball.
The House of Dignitas won
the House Throwdown
championship title with
their Disney princesses
meet CIU routine.
Graduate student Elizabeth
Stroud, a member of the
House of Fidelitas fills her
plate during the House
Throwdown picnic.
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CAMPUS LIFE
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