By: Julia Mulry

Belonging. It's a feeling that almost everyone seeks, yet can be difficult to find, especially in new social situations. After a campus climate survey at Loyola University Maryland indicated students felt a lack of belonging, the Baltimore-based community implemented the Belonging Campaign to readily help students feel more at home.

In contract with Dr. Susan Rankin & Associates, Loyola released a climate survey to all students, faculty and staff to better understand their feelings toward the Loyola community. Questions were designed to looked at the university’s policies, practices, and procedures and how they influence students. While the study presented strengths such as academic rigor, there was a clear gap in one sector: belonging.

"I definitely struggled to find a community I could identify with when I got to Loyola," said Kaela Milewski, '20.

"It was tough to find the types of people and organizations that I aligned with. I was overwhelmed for the first half of my freshman year and considered transferring," added Milewski, aligning with the study's findings that many students consider transferring at some point during their freshman year.

Acting quickly to address the exclusionary, offensive, or hostile conduct targeted at certain students came the conception of The Belonging Campaign. The campaign focuses on finding a sense of belonging as a community purpose, rather than an individual struggle, and emphasizes a campus-wide responsibility for belonging.

Transfer students such as Sarah Raymond, '20, were positively impacted by Loyola efforts to invoke a sense of belonging prior to the official campaign.

"From the second I arrived at Loyola, I was supported to find my niche," said Raymond.

"It was a great feeling to be so included, despite arriving "late to the game," Raymond noted. "I'm impressed that Loyola has turned this into a campaign and hope the reach extends to all students struggling to find their place."

Loyola's goals within the program include the ideals to:

-Increase awareness of a collective responsibility in building a sense of belonging for all

-Give students, faculty, and staff concrete actions they can take to increase belonging

-Create a community where members are appreciated, acknowledged, and accepted

It took me time to find my sense of belonging, but eventually I did and I am so happy with my Loyola community. I commend the University's campaign to make the process a bit easier," added Milewski.

The Belonging Campaign is set to launch during Spring 2020 and beyond. More information can be found here: https://www.loyola.edu/department/counseling-center/public-health-initiatives/belonging.