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May 2005

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Living in the Toltec House May be Right for You.

Cuicacalli SuitesThis fall, Cuicacalli will welcome the new Toltec House, a learning community encompassing one floor of SDSU's suite-style residence hall.  Toltec House is designed for still-deciding and undeclared majors.  While the floor was created with a sophomore focus, any student can apply for the community. Toltec House will link career exploration and a career preparation class in a living and learning environment.

"Toltec is an ancient word meaning 'men and women of knowledge'. We are trying to honor this ideal by creating a safe, challenging environment where residents participate in honest self-reflection regarding their individual career and life paths," said Randy Timm, Coordinator of Residential Education and member of the committee developing the community. "We asked students and staff what our residents needed to help prepare them for the job market.  Much of the feedback we were given indicated students needed help, guidance and a little more incentive to get their life plan and job search started earlier in their college career."

"It's our hope that Toltec's class and floor-programming will provide students with needed career preparation tools," said Sean McCarty, a current Residence Hall Coordinator and member of the committee. "Toltec House members develop connection and influence in their community through involvement in academic and social programming. Engagement inside and outside the classroom help students create a sense of purpose leading to academic success, effective citizenship, and life direction."

"Even students with a solid choice in major can benefit from the learning community," said Timm.  "It is an incredible collaborative effort between many offices, but the Career Services connection will provide residents individual assistance and group workshops focusing on internships, interview techniques, resume writing, and career goal development." 

Included in the class syllabus are personal self-assessments to help students choose majors and career paths.

In addition to the class opportunities, an academic mentor and resident advisor will help guide a closely knit community with a new student council.  Academic study breaks, floor study halls, an alumni and faculty lecture series, and new social programming will help develop friendships and study groups. 

"We're looking forward to how this community will also change Cuicacalli," said McCarty.  "It will provide a living learning community environment in a suite-style facility.

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