Sophomore students interested in living on campus this fall now have the opportunity to experience “SophomoreGOLD,” a new living and learning community located in East Campus Apartments.
SophomoreGOLD is an initiative by Residential Life and First Year Experience to create a residential community designated for 28 sophomore students.
Rhea Perkins, ResLife coordinator for Herget Hall, said University programming often overlooks the sophomore population, and SophomoreGOLD will cater to their college experience.
Perkins said first-year students are introduced to many programs when they enter college, and many activities are targeted toward just freshmen. On the other side, juniors and seniors are nearing degree completion and have an idea of what they want in life.
“Sophomores are a unique group,” she said. “They are like the middle child.”
Missy Korduner, assistant director of FYE, said she wants SophomoreGOLD to extend the support provided to students in their first year to meet sophomore needs.
“The community will provide additional support to our sophomore students and provide them an additional connection and opportunity for engagement at LSU,” Korduner said.
Perkins said the highest national rate of college dropouts occurs between the sophomore and junior year. To help alleviate this, she said SophomoreGOLD will create a community that encourages career exploration and hands-on leadership development.
“The whole program is focused on academic progress and civic engagement,” Perkins said.
Korduner said a number of programs have been outlined as a part of the Sophomore Success Series, and FYE has collaborated with departments like Career Services.
“In addition, FYE plans to coordinate discussions around global issues to assist students in seeing the ‘bigger picture’ and developing into global citizens,” Korduner said in an e-mail.
Korduner said ResLife plans to host field trips to various locations in Louisiana.
“It sounds like a great idea, but I’m worried it would take up too much time,” said Kelsey Molina, biological sciences freshman and on-campus resident.
Molina said she does not plan to apply but thinks the program could be beneficial.
“There are so many programs for freshman,” she said. “It would be nice to see some for sophomores, juniors and seniors. It would help them be more confident in what they are doing.”
Korduner said the programs and activities are not mandatory, but residents are expected to participate in whatever they can. She also said the programs are not limited to SophomoreGOLD residents.
“All FYE SophomoreGOLD programs are also open to all sophomore students, and while they focus on sophomore needs, any first-year students interested in attending can do so, as well,” she said.
But Perkins said living in the SophomoreGOLD area of ECA will be for sophomores only.
SophomoreGOLD is currently accepting applications through Friday. Perkins said the online application is simple, and students that will be sophomores in the fall are encouraged to apply.
She said no prior on-campus residency is required, and the program will not increase the listed housing price of ECA.
“Applications are increasing by the day —we have a lot more than we can bring in,” Perkins said. “We will go through and screen the applicants to make a decision.”
Perkins said the two departments will select a mix of students.
“There isn’t a certain characteristic we want,” she said. “We are looking for a diverse group of personalities, but we want them to be excited about the program and take advantage of the programs that we will offer.”
 
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Contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]