Seniors Fran Carpenter and Ken Wallace are first-time Community Fellows in the Schreiber Quadrangle.

In separate interviews with the Etownian, they spoke about their experiences and changes in the Office of Residence Life.

“Res. Life is continuing on with the ‘Live Etown’ Learning Curriculum, which is split into four different blocks, dedicated to living well, living connected, living with purpose, and living beyond Etown,” Wallace said in an email interview.

Carpenter explained that the current phase, “Live Beyond,” is designed to prepare students for life beyond college. This semester’s events will inform graduating students about the process of choosing an apartment and “living engaged.”

The lessons are grouped under a general theme: “adulting,” or self-sufficient living.

“There is meaning to be found in responsibility, and as we progress through our time at Etown, we should naturally take on more and perform the tasks that will be expected of us in everyday life, upon graduation,” Wallace said.

“The topic is personally meaningful for students like me, who plan on living on the East Coast after graduation but don’t have family members here. It should be on everyone’s mind,” Carpenter said.

“This semester we had a furniture expo, to get students thinking about buying furniture, because most places won’t have furniture for you like the Quads do. That’s something I didn’t think about.”

Upcoming events include an open discussion where students will learn what they need to look for in an apartment and what items they will need to buy when buying an apartment.

“Budgeting plays a big role in that, too, knowing you need to focus on the necessities instead of the luxuries,” Carpenter said.

“There are cheap, fun ways to save money.”

In addition to assisting with opening and closing campus, Community Fellows send emails, promote activities on-campus and engage in “meaningful conversations” with residents.

“This academic year, Res. Life is granting more freedom to RAs and CFs, as far as how those objectives are interpreted and implemented,” Wallace said.
“I think the ideal is that Res. Life is making a connection with students on-campus and that residents feel like a part of a community where they are supported and understood.”

Carpenter defines “community” as “knowing the people and being respectful, but also being able to have a good time with the people around you.”

“CFs want to encourage people to go out of their way to meet and harmonize with their neighbors. It’s simple on sunny days, when people are outside, but when the weather gets colder, students don’t want to leave their Quads, and sometimes it seems like the Quad commons are only used for laundry,” Carpenter said.

“CFs need to figure out creative ways to get people involved. It would be nice if we had an electric fireplace, or a TV.”

“I really enjoy the job. But I thought it would be easier to meet and greet people in the Quads. It’s difficult to get to know all 124 residents, especially at this stage,” Carpenter continued.

Wallace agreed.

“Incentivizing individuals in the ILUs to participate in Res. Life programming is particularly difficult, as many of us have our own day-to-day schedules and living arrangements and it is a matter of opportunity costs,” Wallace said.

“Are upper-class students willing to sacrifice their energy and time to attend an event that will most likely not improve their job prospects, wage earnings, or how they remember their years at Etown?”

When asked who would be a good fit for the position, Wallace and Carpenter emphasized sociability and time management.

“A person who constantly goes out of their way to get to know [people] on a regular basis would undoubtedly succeed,” Wallace said.

“Someone who enjoys events and meeting people, communicating with people, knowing the neighbors. Because this is a very self-monitored job, make sure you have time for it, and don’t forget that you are a Community Fellow. Also, don’t forget to clock-in and clock-out!” Carpenter said.

And what would these Community Fellows say to residents they’ve yet to meet?

“Well, I would say it is about three months until I graduate, so if you see me around campus and want to talk, the pleasure is all mine,” Wallace said.

“Please meet with me and have meaningful conversations. Don’t be afraid to say ‘hello,’ I won’t bite your head off! I’m not that scary,” Carpenter said.

“Our title is ‘Community Fellow’ because our duty is to prepare people for life off-campus, and we want to prepare you to not feel very alone.”