Residential College helps freshmen

Residential College, the experimental housing program for freshmen of all majors at Cal State Long Beach, is touting a successful second year and a bright future.

Ben McNair, a 19-year-old freshman, majoring in computer engineering and black studies, said Residential College has been his safe-haven. He said the program has helped him become acclimated to CSULB. "I would say it's been very a positive experience," McNair said.

Tiffany Meador, 19, also a freshman, majoring in business management, said she too has had a good experience at Residential College. "I've really enjoyed the field trips and [extracurricular] activities. I would recommend the housing to a friend."

Edward A. Murawski, coordinator of residence hall programming at CSULB said the purpose of the experimental housing is to increase academic achievement and meet the environmental needs of freshmen.

Murawski said he was not aware of any other housing programs like Residential College being offered at other California State University campuses.

Located at 1601 Earl Warren Dr., the Residential College, buildings G and K, have 88 rooms total and are part of the Parkside Commons. Double-occupancy rooms cost $4950 per school year.

Single-occupancy rooms are available as well, at a higher cost. "We offer programs that include highest priority registration, academic advisement, faculty live-in, learning assistance workshops, and sophomores who act as mentors to the freshmen," Murawski said.

Freshmen must meet and agree to requirements set forth by the Residential College prior to admittance. One of the rules, Murawski said, is "a commitment by incoming freshmen to serve as mentors to those who follow them."

Murawski said 96 percent of the 1993-94 freshmen residents stayed with the program for their sophomore year.

"Out of 172 students living here, 72 of them are sophomores who lived here during their freshmen year. This helps to keep students involved in what's happening here."

However, both McNair and Meador said they don't see all of the mentors participating. "I haven't seen my mentor this semester," Meador said.

Besides a two-year commitment, students applying for the housing must submit a 250-word essay stating how they will demonstrate their commitment to the Residential College and why they are interested in becoming a resident.

Once admitted, the residents must serve in three events during their freshman year: social recreation, an education group, and a study group.

"There are faculty members who live in the Residential College," Murawski said. "Each member must offer 10 hours per week of [free] tutoring.

"One of our live-in faculty members, Glen Harding, has set up a computer room here. He assists students with computer work and sets up E-mail accounts for them," he said.

"Our learning assistance workshops include, time management, reading textbooks critically, listening and note taking, as well as planning for exams," Murawski said.

Last semester, the overall GPA for freshman was 2.86, Murawski said.

Residential College is co-ed. However, students are placed in "suites" that consist of six rooms next to one another. The suites are not co-ed, therefore males and females do not share bathroom facilities.

Prior to 1993, the Residential College was part of Parkside Commons, which currently houses students of all class standings.