FROM ME TO WE: When Centennial House
opened last fall in Cranston, R.I., the inaugural
36 student residents knew they were in for an
experience of a lifetime. This was a brand-new
kind of residence hall: cooperative-style hous-
ing, where it was imperative for each resident
to adapt quickly "from a 'me' to a 'we' mindset,"
says Centennial House President Kevin Walton
'16. As a team, Centennial House residents
were completely accountable for the house's
success. Assigned goals for the year included
managing the house budget to cover food
and utilities, planning meals and menus, and
living as productive members of their new
neighborhood.
Centennial House's leadership team arrived
before move-in day to complete training.
When residents arrived, their charge was to
create a home that was self-governing, self-
reliant and collaborative. And by all accounts,
it has been a success.
"Every house resident credits the communal
living experience for building leadership skills,"
continues Walton. Students learned how to
self-advocate in an effective way, and gained
experience in self-reliance — leadership skills
that can be applied to situations throughout a
lifetime of experiences. "Having an incredible
amount of diversity, responsibility and coex-
istence all collide during such a monumental
time in a student's life is something only
experience can prove to be true."
S T U
D E N T
L I F E
YEAR IN REVIEW
