The Learning Community Kickoff

Uconn's more than 30 LCs pictured outside the newly build Student Rec Center

On Sunday, August 25th, the Humanities House LC made its way to the annual Learning Community Kickoff event held in Gampel Pavilion. Here at UConn, Learning Communities are one of the best ways to have fun and get involved, and they also help to empower a student’s first couple of years among the 30,000 students on campus. As the start of the school year approaches, the Learning Community council has all of the communities across campus gather for an event to unite us all, getting to know each other and to have fun. With a mix of staff, returners, and the new freshman of the LCs ready, the Kickoff began. A few of the brave souls made their way down to the court to dance a bit, persuading others to do so, and others even took part in the activities to try their luck at winning a prize. There were faculty speeches of encouragement and student speeches of success outlining their experiences with the program. When all was over, the more than 30 communities made their way to the new Rec Center for a group picture, Humanities House muddled with the sea of colored shirts, then to the husky statue for a group picture, completing our day with our new friends.

It was a new experience for the freshman and a few sophomores, as it was only their first or second day on campus, and they did not know what to expect at the Kickoff. As a returner to the LC, I know it was an overwhelming, confusing situation and there was a lot going on, but all of the underlying messages from each speech and activity was clearly portrayed to all. These motivating speeches reached everyone in Gampel Pavilion that day as each speaker sent the students off feeling ready to conquer the new school year.

One of the new HH members with Jonathan the Husky

Learning communities each have a different philanthropy and focus to each of them, making them their own little group, a community. Humanities House, in particular, opens your eyes to not only what is going on in your own life, but what is going on around you, what and who is affected, and gives a deeper understanding of the world. The freshman might not know it yet, but this will help them throughout their 4 years at UConn. The sense of community amongst the LC members is neverending; you will always have a familiar face on campus, someone to sit with, and some of these people will be your best friends. You gain a feeling of belonging and a familiarity being a part of a Humanities House, a safe place to be yourself, and a community where you will be heard. All opinions and responses are respected, ideas and aspirations encouraged.

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To the new members of Humanities House;

This was the first event as a community. It was definitely a bit awkward, you didn’t know the other members of the LC that well yet, and you didn’t completely understand their role as a student in the Learning Community program. Despite all this, remember it’s okay. It’s normal to feel a bit awkward at first, it’s okay to not know everyone yet, and it’s fine to be confused, but as the year continues, remember you are here for a reason, you will have a deeper understanding of the world’s doings, have fun at movie nights, and know that there is a place for you at UConn. You might not know it yet, but as part of an LC and as a student, you belong here.

Welcome home.