Resident Assistants “Believe” in Loyola’s relationship with Baltimore More than a month into the academic year, many of Loyola’s current resident assistants are still sporting the new t-shirts they received before the start of their August training. Simpler than most College organization shirts, the RAs’ shirts are plain, dark green, with the words “Loyola Believes” emblazoned in stark, block white letters across the chest. Sara Furr, an Assistant Director of Student Life and coordinator of this year’s staff training and development programs, hopes other students and visitors to the campus will be intrigued enough to ask the RAs what the shirt’s slogan means. “We chose the phrase ‘Loyola Believes’ as a way of honoring the Baltimore Believe campaign of civic faith and optimism and further connecting with the city,” says Furr. During pre-semester training, Student Life administrators and Graduate Residence Coordinators worked with RAs to instill an appreciation for Baltimore City. Throughout the academic year, the RAs will be challenged to share this appreciation and enthusiasm with their residents. In addition to their regular floor programming, RAs must develop one community service program and one program involving an aspect of Baltimore City life and culture each semester. “We’re hoping for a sort of trickle-down effect here,” says Furr, who believes the RAs are in a unique position to serve as ambassadors for Baltimore and engage their residents in all that the city has to offer. RAs have already begun to organize a wide-variety of Baltimore focused programming for their residents. For example: Newman RA Matt Pavlis, ‘09 worked with the Student Government Association to organized a Sept. 27 transportation to educate all students on ways to get around the city by bus, light-rail, water taxi and through the CollegeTown shuttle.
The Ad Infinitum Sophomore Community in Campion had their first of seven “Taste of Baltimore” dinners on Thursday, Oct. 5 at L.P. Steamers in Locust Point. Associate Director of Alcohol and Drug Ed Kelli Larson and Locust Point Community Association President Paul Silberman attended the dinner with the students and Student Life staff members.
Newman RA Dayna Pizzigoni, ‘08 had 11 out of 14 residents on the first floor of Newman West 1st floor participate in Loyola’s Habitat for Humanity project on Sept. 23. Before work began, students attend an orientation about helping versus serving and construction logistics. RA Andrew Rice, ’08, shares Furr’s enthusiasm for the Believe initiative. In calling for the Year of the City, says Rice, “Fr. Linnane set the bar high for all of us and I hope we respond by stepping out of our comfort zone and serving in a way we might not have thought to before.” In addition to developing Year of the City programming for his residents, Rice plans on personally attending a U.N.I.T.E (Urban Needs Introduced Through Experience) weekend set for Oct. 20-22. The weekend focuses on giving the student a real taste of what it’s like to be impoverished or homeless in the city. Through volunteering at Beans and Bread in Fells Point, and also spending time reading and watching videos and reflecting, Rice hopes to come away from the weekend with a better understanding of what daily life is like for many in Baltimore city. Furr hopes this year’s “Loyola Believes” campaign has a long lasting impact on the students and Student Life staff who live and work in the halls. “This will not be just a one-year program,” she says, “Instead, I believe this is a philosophy that will influence Student Life programming for years to come.” | 
