the ecU Report Living-learning groups grow Jarvis Residence Hall may be the oldest housing available for students at ECU, but it plays host to a new and increasingly popular college experience. Opened in 1909, Jarvis Hall is housing more than 100 students this fall who are participating in the Jarvis Leadership Program. It is one of nine current living-learning communities on campus since the first such programs launched in 2009. Living-learning communities evolved from theme housing, said Janet Johnson, associate director for Residence Life. But they are distinct in that students in living-learning settings must take two courses together in the residence hall. Some are major-based—like music and the new College of Business livinglearning communities—while others, like Jarvis, stretch across academic disciplines.
More than 380 ECU students are part of living-learning communities this fall. Students must apply for admittance, but there are numerous benefits associated with the model, Johnson said. “It’s kind of like having family support,” she said. “Studies show students (in these communities) are better engaged, better with time management, and faculty and staff can come in and interact with them. It gets them involved.” Three living-learning communities are new this year. Among them is the Future Pirate Nurse Living and Learning Village, where 27 intended nursing majors are living in Umstead Residence Hall. Students typically apply to the College of Nursing in their sophomore year and begin as juniors, said Dr. Janice Neil, associate professor and chair of the undergraduate nursing science junior division in the College
of Nursing. Living in the village does not guarantee admission, but the environment will provide encouragement, support and enrichment activities toward the pursuit of a nursing degree, Neil said. Many of the students will take prerequisite classes together. “It will give people insight into what nursing is before they apply,” Neil said. “We’re going to include them in many of the College of Nursing activities and have them interact with our students. One of our goals is to produce a diverse group of intended nursing majors.” Also living in Umstead are 65 students participating in the Engineering Learning Community, which faculty members agree could lead to collaborative research opportunities between the two groups. The engineering and nursing programs are among the most rigorous on campus, said Karen De Urquidi, coordinator of advising and
Cliff Hollis
Dr. Ledlard Ross ’51 (left) watches as Dr. Nisha Ganaesh demonstrates how to perform a dental filling during a tour of Ross Hall after the Oct. 12 dedication ceremony for the home of ECU’s new dental school. Ross donated $4 million toward the building.
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