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International Hall and Eco Floor Options Expand Possibilities for SBC Students
By Blair Mullally '10
STAFF WRITER

With course selection, final exams and graduation preparation in full swing, the question of where to live next year is paramount in many SBC students’ minds. This year, the on-campus housing options for SBC students will be expanded with the additions of two themed halls: the Ecofloor and the International Hall.

The International Hall, which will be located on the third floor of Dew, is targeted not only towards those proficient in foreign languages, but also to those with a strong interest in foreign issues.

Kelly Espy, Director of Residence Life and Housing, explained that the location for the International Floor was chosen because of the availability of four singles (for teaching assistants), kitchen access and the availability of the EB room as a meeting space. Dew’s ramps and elevator also contributed to increased accessibility. According to Espy, the majority of student interest expressed was from the class of 2010.

According to Pam DeWeese, Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, there has been interest in an international hall on campus for much time. House I used to serve as a language house, but when House I was closed for renovation the international option was changed to a language hall. Eventually, housing issues contributed to the discontinuation of these halls as well.

When students expressed interest in an intentional hall after seeing similar setups at other colleges, The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures took enthusiastic responses from students into consideration and finally proposed to CCL the formation of an international hall.

In addition to SBC students, the language assistants from Spain, Italy, France and Germany will be housed on this hall, helping to foster the international theme by sharing their cultures. After student interest was initially expressed, several interest meetings were held, announcements were sent out via email and a table in Prothro was set up. Some interested students came to the process with roommates in mind, while others found roommates after applying.

Director of International Studies Tiffany Cummings expressed interest in possible interactive activities between the two halls, saying “The Office of International Studies will be involved in supporting events on the International hall, and perhaps even on the Eco Floor when the events are international in nature.”

The Eco Floor, which will be located in the basement of Randolph, was chosen for similar reasons as the International Hall, including meeting and kitchen spaces in the basement, an additional meeting space on the first floor and its handicap accessibility. As for student interest, those interested in moving to the Eco Floor comprise a mixture of class years and majors, including students from the classes of 2009 and 2010, and various majors (the first eight applications turned in were from students in six different majors).

According to professor Debbie Kasper, the idea for the Ecofloor was a fairly recent development, which originated out of student concerns about the lack of control they held over certain aspects of their lifestyles while living on campus.

Professor Kasper also mentioned that husband Tim Kasper began discussing the idea with students in the environmental club, along with environmental studies and sociology department members “to explore the potential for a more ecologically conscious residence option at Sweet Briar.” She added that the signing of the President’s Climate Commitment “provided additional motivation to begin experimenting with ways to get [everyone on campus] involved in efforts to reduce our negative environmental impact.”

Kasper was also careful to note that the Ecofloor was not limited or targeted to any specific majors, and only had the objective of “foster[ing] awareness and responsibility regarding the relationships between human activities and ecosystems and to assist students in minimizing their individual and collective footprints.

Kasper said that the amount of interest expressed was around the same level expected, “a modest beginning,” saying “We understand that college housing can be tricky. Location, friends, hall characteristics and roommate dynamics are all factors in the final decision. We were pleased to see enough interest to get one hall going.” As time continues, she expects the idea to expand and evolve.

The application process was similar to that of the International Hall, with no minimum GPA or major requirement. After providing essential information, including a brief statement about their interest in the Ecofloor, they then signed a Declaration of Commitment, expressing their intent to honor the goals of the floor.

Though only seven students (out of the ten who submitted applications) were able to sign up to live on the floor, Kasper noted that a number of students, “although they will be living elsewhere, are anxious to be a part of the efforts to make Sweet Briar a model of intelligent student life.”