A: The new wing will be part of Kalsbeek-Huizenga and is fully part of the residence hall structure at Calvin. Thus, students there will predominantly be first and second year students, though juniors and seniors with an interest in the community may consider it as well.
Q: What are the themes or areas of focus in the new wing?
A: One floor will be sponsored by the Honors Program and feature a deeper engagement in Honor’s scholarship, as well as play host to Honors Program events and meetings. Another floor will go deeper on themes of race and anti-racism in the United States, providing academic and CCE credit to participants. The last floor will be for students desiring to go deeper into creation care issues. The creation care group will learn together about sustainable practices for living, and will assist the rest of the campus in learning and new initiatives.
Q: That’s a lot of “going deeper.” What do you mean by that term?
A: No matter where they live, students have the opportunity to explore issues beyond the classroom at Calvin-through residence hall programs and events, student organizations, campus committees, studying abroad, etc. “Going deeper” in this new housing area means focusing more intentionally than one might normally in a housing setting, and committing to learning AND living it over the course of the year.
Q: I heard the floors are co-ed? Is that true?
A: Each floor will have men and women, but they’ll maintain their own halves of the floor by the way the floors are constructed. Each floor is traditional in size (40-44 residents), but the two “halves” of the floor are connected by a lounge with a fireplace, soft seating, and tables. Doorways from the lounges into the halves of each floor provide privacy and security.
Q: How will it work with RAs on the floors?
A: Each floor will have one RA and up to two Program Assistants (at least one of the opposite gender as the RA). Together they’ll tend to life on the floor, including scheduling and planning of social and learning events that relate to the themes and focus areas. In addition to program elements, RAs will be responsible for overall management, including ensuring community standards are maintained, providing in-duty coverage daily, assisting in emergency procedures, and aiding with housing issues. RAs and PAs will work together to provide support for individual residents as needed.
Q: Why is Calvin doing this in the new wing?
A: The new wing is a great location because no one lives there yet and the building has no existing identity. In addition, it was designed with lounges and basement spaces that lend themselves to discussion groups, seminars, and just “hanging out.” The wing is connected to Kalsbeek-Huizenga, and will have more than just a physical connection. Yet it will be a place where some new things can happen too.
Q: This sounds exclusive and separatist-why can’t this happen in my hall?
A: Everyone is encouraged to learn more deeply, wherever they live. But to have a more integrated and focused effort, having students living together on a floor is more effective. No matter where we might place new communities like these, they could feel separate. But architecturally, the new wing is the ideal location. The floors themselves will be as open as any other floor community on campus-a collection of students with some common bonds, living together on campus. If you’re not living there, stop in and visit friends like you would on any other floor.
Q: I don’t think anyone will live there because noone will want to leave their current floors or buildings.
A: It's true that halls engender loyalty from many of their residents, as students get to know each other and form relationships and connections to each other. But each year a number of students look for new housing options-something different than what they had as first year students. And some might feel adventurous enough to try something new, since they can always maintain relationships with students in other halls across campus.
Q: What about first-year or transfer students-shouldn’t they have a “traditional” residence hall experience?
A: Perhaps we should redefine “traditional.” Whether it’s living in the new wing or in any of the other halls on campus, a new student in the new wing will have all of the same opportunities as any other student-opportunities for involvement, getting to know other students, eating on campus, adjusting to college life, studying hard, having fun with each other, etc. Many new students come to Calvin without any preconceived notions of one hall or another, and may be looking for ways to invest in their learning experience more intentionally right off the bat. And the bottom line is that there is only room for around 6% of the new students in the new wing.
Q: How do I apply for one of these new living options?
A: Applications for each community are available on the individual community web pages. Submissions are done on-line. For returning students, the application deadline for the initial recruitment phased will be Monday, April 7, at Noon, with decisions by Friday, April 11. If there are remaining open spots after the initial process, spots for returning students will be filled on a rolling basis. For in-coming first year students, the application deadline was May 1 but we are still accepting applications on a rolling basis, based on availability.