The Just-Us Residential College. From what I’ve gathered, it’s like a second Ignatian Residential College, except with an emphasis on social justice and diversity. This is a good thing, no? After all, students at Jesuit schools tend to lean toward exploring themselves and learning about others and helping others.
This new dorm will house 120-140 sophomores, so why have only 10 students applied? At first, the Just-Us residence was going to be housed in the renovated former Jesuit Residence. The main argument of the students was that the residence would be pretty far from the main campus. But since Just-Us has been moved to Jogues, according to Karen Donoghue, Director of Residence Life, this complaint has been cancelled out. However, the dorm rooms in Jogues are supposedly smaller.
Also, Jogues houses more than 100 people. Does this mean that this ‘Living/Learning Community’ has to share its space? I feel as though sharing the space with other sophomores and juniors would be an intrusion of the community aspect.
There are also positive things about the move. The one benefit of Jogues was its parking lot. According to proposed University plans, that this parking lot will be converted into another dorm. Either way, it’s useless since sophomores aren’t allowed cars next year- a movement in Fairfield’s efforts to be a green campus.
With the movement of the community to the main part of campus, it is now impossible to complain about the distance. Jogues, although it is on the outskirts, is on the Quad.
I think the Just-Us residence is a great idea. As someone interested in diversity and social justice, I think that it’s wonderful that these two concepts would be incorporated into daily life and not just an academic setting.
Students will be able to experience other cultures and the social justice aspect will make students more well-rounded human beings. Perks involve guest speakers, special dinners and classes that include ‘diversity and social justice perspectives,’ according to the application.
I can see where this can be an issue. If Just-Us is ‘diversity housing’ and it’s in a corner of campus, it makes it seems as though all the diversity is being placed in one spot. How does that represent Fairfield as a tolerant school? Also, it has been said that about one third of the sophomore class is meant to live in living and learning communities next year.
People who haven’t applied may be forced to live at Just-Us, and they may not be fans of social justice initiatives. This forced situation might tarnish the experience.
Overall, Just-Us seems like it would be a good place to live. The Quad can get loud at times, but the community would be a strong one. Students part of Just-Us take classes together, have mentoring communities and are part of group service projects; all of which build the community.
The idea of Just-Us (and Loyola, for that matter) is a community within a community – not to be a clique but to be a gathering of people with the same interests and desires to be active in the world. I would say go for it. The application is similar to Loyola, so it’s not difficult. And the deadline is March 13, giving you plenty of time to write a killer essay.
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