By: Vanessa Gleklen

Transitioning to college life brings a multitude of challenges. New people, new classes, and a new location begets change in most people, especially young adults at the start of their independent lives.

During the 2018-2019 school year, Loyola University Maryland examined how their community members experienced the university’s policies, practices and procedures.

While many strengths were found, many students indicated that they had considered leaving the institution during their first year. The primary reason provided was a lack of a sense of belonging.

Community members also cited “exclusionary, offensive, or hostile conduct” for the lack of a sense of belonging. The Belonging Campaign was established to show that all members of the community are valued.

Belonging and Community at Loyola

The campaign seeks to encourage the idea that a sense of belonging requires all members of a community, and to “acknowledge the complexity of belonging.”

Michael Devereaux, Loyola Maryland class of 2022, thinks he would have benefited from this initiative his first year. "The transition into college was very hard on me," he stated.

He specified that he found a community at Loyola through theatre. The solidarity "really helped [him] gain a sense of belonging at Loyola," as he "was welcomed in with open arms.”

Kayla Greene is also a sophomore at Loyola and agreed with Michael’s points. “I was lucky to find a community at Loyola through theatre pretty quickly, but I know a lot of people didn’t have as much ease.”

Kayla also acknowledged how her identity matches a gross majority of Loyola students, and other people with different identities may have harder times finding a community as quickly as she did.

Both students praised the initiative. “I think it does help to benefit the community as a whole as it will give students a greater sense of belonging at school and will allow for them to be more active on campus,” said Michael.

"The Belonging Campaign" Effects

The benefits of increased senses of belonging include psychological well-being, improving physical health, academic success, meaningful relationships, and student retention.

The goals of the campaign surround the positive results of increased senses of belonging. Goals include increasing collective responsibility in building belonging for all and providing actions to increase belonging.

The crux of the campaign is the goal to create a community where members are appreciated, acknowledged, and accepted. This extends beyond just the first-years the campaign focuses on.

Loyola’s initiative to bring more inclusiveness and a larger sense of belonging to their campus is beneficial for all students. This campaign increases the sense of community and encourages the values of the institution.

For more information about Loyola's Belonging Campaign, visit the website here.