Grambling State University is pleased to announce a new initiative for first year students, The Living Learning Communities Program, funded by Title III (Department of Education). Academic Affairs and Residential Life will model a responsible and collegial partnership that provides a setting for academic and social support of residents as they develop academic and social skills necessary for a successful college life. The development of learning communities is expected to enhance student learning by promoting quality interaction between students and faculty, by providing on-site learning opportunities, and by providing on-site supportive technology. Providing an environment that supports academic, intellectual, and social growth is expected to increase retention of students. The targeted population is first year students. The pilot program is being implemented in Wheatley and Pinchback Halls. This program is a Title III funded program. The goals of the program include, providing a setting for academic and social support, providing an opportunity for residential life and academic affairs to model a responsible and collegial partnership, to provide a setting for students to become socialized to what it means to be a college student, and to provide student with opportunities to increase critical thinking, problem solving, and self esteem skills. Some of the benefits that Living Learning Communities provides are increased student academic involvement, improved student academics and intellectual performance, as well as an increase in student retention. The Units that are involved in this endeavor are: University Police, University Library, First Year Experience Department, Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Office of Retention, Office of Residential Life and Housing, Student Intervention and Counseling Center and The College of Liberal Arts. The individuals serving on the advisory committee are: Dr. Robert Dixon, vice president and provost of academic affairs, Beverly Hill-Hercules, director of Title III Programs, Dr. Stacy Duhon, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Willie Daniel, head of the Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Veterine Simpson, Director of Retention, Valencia Clemons, director of First Year Experience Program, Shakira Hardison, director of Residential Life and Housing, DeMetria Keys-Johnson, Emergency Crisis Intervention coordinator, Ruby Jones, university police corporal, Marine Hall, Library Specialist II, and Patricia Hutchinson, associate registrar. Faculty members involved include: Dr. Beatrice McKinsey, and Melanie Thomas, Department of English, and Dr. Carl Robert and Eugene Taylor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The central office for the Living Learning Center is Brown Hall, room 239. For more information, contact Clair Lewis at 274-2742 or email her at Lewisc@gram.edu.