PROFILE: Hall Opening Team Member Is Standing By For Campus Dwellers

UC marketing major Dante Sanderson is looking forward to fall quarter and to easing the heavy burden of students moving into the residence halls. The 19-year-old sophomore – who’s moving into Sawyer Hall – will be participating on the “Hall Opening Team” for his second year.

The Hall Opening Team, sponsored by UC’s Resident Education and Development, will have student volunteers on hand to help carry the clothes, books and CD collections that will once again be filling the residence halls. Dawn Wilson, director of Resident Education and Development, says over 140 campus dwellers have signed up to serve on the Hall Opening Team.

“It’s a great program to get involved with,” says Dante, who was new to campus when he first joined the Hall Opening Team last year. “It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends.”

Dante is a graduate of Hughes High School and he grew up a short distance from campus. But he says campus involvement, such as living in the residence halls, is key to “getting the full college experience. Those who just come to school and go home are missing out on so much.”

As for his decision to attend UC, the Darwin Turner Scholarship recipient was offered a scholarship to a university farther away, but he liked both the financial and social opportunities offered by the Darwin Turner Scholarship program for UC’s academically talented ethnic students. Dante graduated in the top 10 percent of his high school class.

“I was already familiar with UC, because I attended Hughes High School just across the street. I had the Turner scholarship which paid for an education right in my backyard and I couldn’t pass it up. It’s close to home, so if I ever want a good home-cooked meal or need some money, I’m just a few miles away.”

This fall, Dante will be living in Sawyer Hall with his roommate and best friend from high school, Renaldo Ventus. He has some advice for the new students who are packing up for college: “Get in contact with your roommates beforehand and work on developing a relationship with them, so that your living arrangements can run smoothly.

“Communicate with your roommate about what to bring. For example, you could have one person bring an iron and ironing board and have the other roommate bring other items, like the broom and dustpan. Otherwise, if you double up on the same thing, you’re cluttering your room with unnecessary items. Also, don’t take all of your clothes to campus at one time. Just bring your clothes for the season. You’re living in smaller spaces, and you want to have as much room as you can.”

Dante is anticipating getting even more involved on campus this year. Over the summer, he attended the UC LeaderShape Institute – a six-day retreat for selected students to build on their leadership skills and their commitment to campus and the surrounding community. As part of the institute, students are challenged to develop their own “LeaderShape Vision” and work on implementing that vision in the following school year. Dante wants to work harder on bringing UC’s diverse cultures together. “The next time you see someone who is not like you, stop and talk with them. You’ll be surprised to see how much you have in common with them.

“Last but not least, be social and develop relationships with your roommates. You’ll have friendships which last a lifetime.”