3 thematic communities have been added to on-campus housing options at CSUF – Orange County Register

Offering housing options to students from groups that have traditionally been underrepresented is the impetus for creating these specialized communities, said Kafele Khalfani, director of housing and housing engagement at CSUF.

Housing and residential involvement fall under the Division of Student Affairs.

“The hope and goal is to create a safe living and learning environment where students feel welcome, represented, respected and appreciated,” Khalfani said. “Many students also want this option. For example, the APISAA community was born out of a proposal from one of our RAs (resident advisors).”

Rainbow House residents have direct access to the recently opened Losquadro Keller LGBTQ Resource Center.

Ujima students collaborate with the African American Resource Center to offer social, educational and cultural events.

Titans Unidos hosts events and offers programs designed to celebrate diverse Latino cultures. Residents will gain a deeper understanding of current issues and events impacting Latinx communities.

The APISSA Community promises to engage residents “in educational and affirmation programs that celebrate the wide diversity within the APISAA diaspora.”

Titan Transfer Gateway is characterized by “a lively and engaging residential experience with programs and community events for transfer students in partnership with TAPP, the Center for Transfer, Adult Return, Parenting and Pregnant Students.

“The goals of our thematic communities are to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment and for our residents to benefit from our special programs to gain an even greater understanding of their identity and culture,” said student Brian Rubio, resident advisor who lives in the Titan Unidos community. “This is all a growing and learning experience for us, an opportunity to share our stories with others and highlight our community first.”

The Ujima and Rainbow communities can each accommodate 125 students, the Titans Unidos and APISAA segments can each accommodate approximately 95 students, and the Athena and Titan Transfer Gateway communities can accommodate 40 students each, Khalfani said.

Rainbow House was created in 2015, Ujama in 2020 and Athena in 2021.

Specialized communities are scattered throughout campus, in residence halls, apartments and apartments.

Khalfani said CSUF can accommodate approximately 2,100 students in thematic and non-thematic spaces, with the majority of students still choosing to live in the non-specialized spaces.

Resident advisors also collaborate on ways to “create and incorporate intersectionality,” Rubio said.

For example, Titans Unidos and community partner Rainbow for a spring event called Drag Lottery, he said.

“This will bring together different aspects of our identity into one event,” Rubio said. “Such little things. “We are all doing what we can to work together and bring together as many students as possible and make sure they are represented.

In coverage of August’s move-in day, CSUF News spoke with Lorna Cariaga, a transfer student from Glendale Community College who moved to Titan Transfer Gateway.

“Having other transfer students on the same floor gives me the opportunity to make friends with people who have both community college and university experience,” Cariaga said. “This community will provide me with a safe space that will make my adjustment to academic and social life much easier.”

Many universities in the Cal State system provide themed housing options.

Cal State Los Angeles offers living and learning communities that offer spaces focused on STEM, business, health professions and psychology.

Thematic communities at Cal State Long Beach include houses for International, First Generation, Pride, and Black and Pan-African Scholars.