Everyone on campus has heard about it. The cult in Loyola, living with priests, taking classes amongst themselves, those “special” students in the Ignatian Residential College.
All those statements and many others are being uttered, but no one really knows much about the Ignatian College, except for the residents, which I am one of.
To clear things up right away, it is not a cult. Anyone who is afraid of seeing a group of hooded Ignatian residents running amok on campus, never fear.
We are like a regular residence hall, we all have friends in the dorm.
But most of the other statements made by non-Ignatian students are true. We do live with priests, which means I get to talk to Father Regan whenever he’s available. That, in and of itself makes living here worthwhile. I also get to take a class with him, which is one of the most amazing I’ve had the pleasure to take. (Fr. Regan, I’m not writing this to suck up, but the thought did cross my mind.)
I agree with the statement that we are “special” students, but for different reasons than most others think. We are “special” because we took a chance. The Ignatian Residential College is new this year, so we had no idea what to expect.
Upon discussing becoming a part of the college with Fr. Regan last year, I liked what I heard and decided to join and take a chance, as did my friends that joined with me. We’ve gone through about a quarter of the year so far, and I have to say that I do enjoy a vast majority of the aspects of the college.
Of course, it isn’t perfect. Our registration for classes was confusing and disorganized, some of the meetings and ideas for events are boring or appeal to a limited amount of our residents, and not everything that was promised to us has been delivered, such as a fully open common areas, or no doors between the wings in Loyola.
There are also annoying residents, just as in any other residence hall. However, it’s the first year of this experience and consequently, there are problems and things that need to be worked on.
But, there is only one way for the college to go, and that is up. I encourage people to give the Ignatian Residential College serious thought before they disregard it as a cult or a stupid religious experience.
Of course, there really isn’t anything that wrong with a cult, is there?
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