In order to create a welcoming environment for black students at UF, a new Living Learning Community will be available beginning Summer B.
A residential space for black students was a key suggestion from the Black Student Affairs Taskforce, a group of faculty, staff and students who make recommendations for how to improve black students’ experiences at UF, wrote Mary Jordan, the assistant director of housing for residential education, in an email. UF Housing received the recommendation in Summer 2016 and has been working on creating the space since.
Residential curriculum and activities are still being determined, Jordan said. Possible plans for those in the program include taking trips to local black-owned businesses, discussions with faculty and staff from Black Affairs and African American Studies and collaboration with Hispanic Heritage Month.
“What is most important to me in any residential curriculum is that the voices of the residents substantially inform the community’s initiatives and events,” she said.
The Black Cultural Living Learning Community will be housed in Graham Hall and will have the capacity to serve 200 students, Jordan said. Currently 45 students have expressed interest in the LLC on their housing application.
“Our year one vision is to have about 1s participating in the community,” she said.
Jordan said any student can live in the space, and those interested in social justice and current events will find it useful. There is no additional fee for students in the program.
“Because this LLC is a partnership with Black Affairs, students can expect to see their values reflected in the residential experience as well, particularly: multiculturalism, inclusion and dialogue,” she said.
Courtney Matthews, a 23-year-old UF student personnel and higher education graduate student, said she’s been working to develop the community. She said as a black woman she took an interest in the project.
Matthews said she wants to develop a sustainable community for all students to help them thrive at UF.
“We don’t want students to feel like they don’t have a place,” she said. “We’re not trying to replace the (Institute of Black Culture) by any means, but we definitely want to offer an open space for deep and meaningful dialogue.”
Other Living Learning Communities
- AIM Program
- Arts
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurial
- Gatorwell
- Global
- Honors Residential College
- Innovation Academy
- International House
- Leader Scholar Program
- Out of Stater Gator
- Pre-Health
- ROTC
- Returning Gators
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the Black Student Affairs Task Force is comprised of faculty, staff and students
Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen
