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“I really believe that education is more than just head knowledge
or job skills. That’s something really unique at CIU. There is this
intentionality in developing the entire person.”
–David Blanchard, Director of Residence Life
Many current students are optimistic about the new initiative.
In fact, many of them were involved in developing it.
“I’ve tried to invite input,” Blanchard said. “We did a Q&A
after we introduced [this system], and we set up several
student focus groups. [We’ve had an] overwhelmingly positive
response. I think a lot of students are really excited, which is
great.”
The new system will involve some big changes for the
Residence Life staff. The primary change will be the role of
the FCC. They will have the new title of CLC — Campus Life
Coordinator. Like FCCs, they’ll plan freshman chapels and
events, but their primary job will be connecting freshmen with
older students, especially those living in their house.
Sophomore McKenzie Sutton will serve as a CLC next year
because she wants to assist the younger students, and she
wants her college experience to be about more than the
academics.
“I want to grow personally and be able to better love people
after I leave CIU,” Sutton said. “I think that being a CLC will
help grow me in the areas I really need to grow in.”
Junior Rachel Joung, who will be an RA next year, is looking
forward to being part of the new system, and help her
housemates’ grow spiritually.
“I think this new system will encourage us to be more invested
into relationships with the people we live with on the hall and in
the house,” Joung said.
Meanwhile, Blanchard would like to assure alumni that this is a
new way of approaching what’s been important at CIU all along:
Christ-centered community.
“For me, as an alum, I feel a little protective of CIU because it
was a formational place for me,” Blanchard said. “One thing
that I would like alumni to know is that while this is new, it’s
really trying to keep us at the heart of what CIU has always
been about. At the end of the day, I think this is a way of
getting students involved and engaged, but for the purpose of
knowing God and making Him known.”
Beginning this fall, each residence hall or
“house” will hang a crest symbolic of the
virtue assigned to it. (The official names
of the residence halls will not change.)
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CAMPUS LIFE
CIU Today
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