The revamped Healthy Lifestyles living-learning community at the Lake Claire Apartments provides first-year students the opportunity to live in a substance-free environment with intentional programming and a commitment to a smoke and alcohol free lifestyle.
Each month has a theme of healthy living that includes topics such as: relationships and safe sex, physical and emotional health, spring break safety, alcohol awareness, diversity and social justice, and many other contemporary college health issues. Campus partners, including the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention and Intervention Services and the Recreation and Wellness Center provide literature and educational activities related to the monthly themes. Some of the events that have been hosted by resident assistants Ryan Iocco and Matt Smolinksy include a “Healthy Cooking Showcase” and a “Wii Fitness Knight.”
Residents living in Healthy Lifestyles enjoyed the experience, as resident Sara Pratt praised the community by noting “it gives you an opportunity to live and be surrounded with people with similar ideals.” Resident Justin Smith corroborated, “it provides opportunities to grow academically and emotionally through programs and events.”
The first year of the Healthy Lifestyles community has been a tremendous success. Under Area Coordinator Jeremy Foskitt’s direction, Lake Claire Apartments will continue to expand and develop the community, building on the programming and partnerships that have been established and incorporating a peer education course in fall 2011.
Lake Claire is an on-campus community of Housing and Residence Life, a department in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.