Justice and Diversity through Community Engagement
This community takes seriously Gandhi's challenge that we be the change we wish to see in our world.

By engaging in projects with both University and local communities, first-year and continuing students are able to actively engage in positive local change. While doing so, students are able to build leaderships skills through volunteering and helping to develop and implement longer-term projects. A sense of membership is offered within the learning community as well as the University and local communities.

Volunteer and other activities have overarching themes of community justice and appreciation across diversities. Examples include fundraising to help victims of domestic violence and working with members of the Sudanese refugee community to re-establish their once-flooded community center.

Fall semester involves weekly seminars allowing agency representatives and others working on service projects to make presentations, as well as group planning among LLC members and instructors. Seminars are held during dinner in a private dining area. Short-term individual and small-group volunteering also occur the first semester, as well as identifying larger group projects.

Spring semester activities include further development of group projects and engagement in them. Those interested in continuing short-term volunteer work are encouraged to do so through the second semester.

Activities include:

• Participation in the required course 610:40—Explorations in Citizenship, Leadership, and Service
• Opportunities to participate in volunteer efforts in conjunction with UI faculty, staff, or the University's Civic Engagement Program
• Information sessions about campus and community action groups, such as the 10,000 Hours Show and Dance Marathon
• Information about careers in public service
• Reading groups
• Guided discussions before and after lectures by visiting scholars and lecturers

First-year and returning upperclass students
This community accepts first-year and upperclass returning students. It does not accept transfer students.

How to apply
Indicate this living-learning community preference on your On-Campus Housing Application and Contract.

For more information
For more information, contact Bob Vanderbeek in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.