In the sea of an all-freshman East Campus, there is one island where upperclassmen and freshmen reside under one roof.
Epworth-SHARE (Student Housing for Academic and Residential Experimentation), a four-year cross-sectional living group, has provided 12 freshmen with the opportunity to live and interact with upperclassmen.
"It's not a dorm, it's more like a home," said Trinity freshman Kathy Tieu. "Everyone is more like a family, [and] the upperclassmen look out for our well being."
Throughout the summer, the returning upperclassmen of Epworth evaluated applications of prospective freshman residents and selected 12 to live with them. Since then, the older Epworth residents have become a resource for the new residents.
"The upperclassmen put you at ease about everything," said Trinity freshman Damian Leon, a resident of Epworth. "If you are feeling apprehensive they can help because they have already gone through what we are going through."
Some students expressed concern about the amount of interaction the Epworth freshmen will have with their freshman peers.
"You'd be separated, [and] you wouldn't get the interaction we have," said Trinity freshman Diane Gelardi, who lives in Aycock dormitory.
Administrators acknowledged this circumstance. "[Epworth freshmen] will have a different experience with upperclassmen mentoring them and leading the way. It's hard to say if that's good or bad right now," said Marta Perez, assistant dean of student development.
Freshmen living in Epworth, however, said that there were other environments in which they could meet other members of their class.
Some freshman residents said they have also had to deal with Epworth's sometimes negative reputation on campus.
"It has a reputation with some people that isn't favorable, but if that is going to keep them from talking to me, I probably don't want to know them anyway," said Trinity freshman Benni Goetz.
As rooms become available in Epworth, other first-year students may be able to move into the dorm.
While the freshmen are learning from upperclassmen, the older members of Epworth said the freshmen bring energy and excitement to the dorm.
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