- Lighthouse Living Learning Community
- Each floor is co-ed.
- Each apartment is equipped with emergency and door signal lighting systems.
- Each apartment has two bedrooms with 2 students per bedroom.
- Each apartment also has a full kitchen (comes with a refrigerator).
- Internet is provided and compatible with Video phones (not provided by Student Housing).
- There is a Video Relay booth and soda machine available to all in the lobby
- to be learning centered
- to encourage self-responsibility and independence
- to support Deaf cultural understanding
- to focus on American Sign Language development
- to interact with the Deaf community on and off campus through community service
- to bring community connection to Deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf Studies majors and student allies to the Deaf community
- to be an educational, authentic, and interactive experience
- You must be Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Studies Major or Ally to the Deaf community that knows American Sign Language.
- Must complete 10 Lighthouse Involvement Hours
- Must sign up for Student Housing by designated deadline
- Must attend Community Standards and Floor Meetings
- Must be an active participant in the community
2. I do not feel my ASL skills are adequate enough to live in the Lighthouse. What do I do?
3. What are and how do I get my 10 Lighthouse Involvement Hours each semester?
4. What do people do within the community?
5. What should I bring?
6. I'm a freshman, which orientation should I attend?
7. Do you have a transfer student orientation?
8. How do I pick my roommate, and how do I contact them?
9. How do I get my internet hooked up once I arrive…do I need something special?
10. How do I get video relay?
11. I hate to cook... How does the meal plan work?
12. What is a Resident Advisor (RA) and does every floor have one?
13. What are Community Standards and floors meetings?
Questions Parents often ask... but students need to know too! 1. How much is housing?
2. When do I need to pay my bill?
3. What if my Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) money has not been approved yet?
4. Is it safe to live on campus?
5. What about parking?
6. Is there public transportation?
7. What if my student is having a hard time communicating with their roommate?
8. My student is having roommate problems, how can I help them?
If you have questions or would like more information in regards to the Lighthouse Living Learning Community, please contact:
Student Housing
17950 Lassen Street
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 677-2587
OR
Lighthouse Living Learning Community Coordinator:
Franklin Ellis
franklin.ellis@csun.edu
(818) 677-4254
17950 Lassen Street
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 677-2587
OR
Lighthouse Living Learning Community Coordinator:
Franklin Ellis
franklin.ellis@csun.edu
(818) 677-4254
Top Questions Students have: 1. Can I live here... I think I’m an Ally? What’s an Ally?
Hearing people become a Deaf community Ally by being a hearing person who respects, understands, and shares the values of the Deaf community and who can work with Deaf people in all arenas. It’s all about having a positive attitude and respect for Deaf people. To achieve this positive impact on the Deaf community, Allies learn and become fluent in ASL, develop familiarity with and respect for Deaf culture, the Deaf community and its issues, and Deaf culturally appropriate ways to approach, interact, and work with Deaf people, and then develop connections with the Deaf community, through building professional and personal relationships with Deaf people and organizations. The Lighthouse is a gateway for you to begin achieving these things and certainly become a Deaf community Ally through the experiences you gain by living at the Lighthouse and interacting with Deaf students.
2. I do not feel my ASL skills are adequate enough to live in the Lighthouse. What do I do?
One of the best ways to learn a language is to be immersed in it on a daily basis. With a serious, earnest commitment to learning ASL, a positive attitude, and a friendly demeanor, you will be amazed at how much you will learn about ASL and Deaf culture each day. Yes, there will be frustrations and struggles sometimes, but that is all part of the learning process as you learn a new culture, a new language and its visual, signing modality and meet new people. You will create new friendships, work toward becoming bilingual, and have many enriching cultural experiences.
3. What are and how do I get my 10 Lighthouse Involvement Hours each semester?
Lighthouse Involvement Hours are the number of hours you spend being actively involved in the community. You will get hours by attending community service projects (off campus), attending educational workshops such as guest speakers, going to your Resident Advisor’s programs, and other opportunities that come up throughout the semester. Each activity will be worth a center number of hours. For example, you may do community service work for 4 hours at our local Deaf and Hard of Hearing nursing home or you may attend your Resident Advisor’s 1 hour cooking program that is happening on your floor. The programs are fun, interactive, and best of all something your floor does together!
4. What do people do within the community?
Residents will develop their own bonds within the community. People tend to hang out with other residents, eat dinner together, attend campus events or go off campus and explore LA. Many students have similar classes, so study groups can easily be formed. What you put into the community is what you will get out of it. Be active and open to participating and you’ll find there are many things to get involved in both inside and outside to the dorm.
5. What should I bring?
- Toilet paper
- Toiletry Items
- Extra Long Sheets
- Lamps
- Alarm Clocks
- TVs
- Microwave
- Stereos
- Household appliances
- Candles
- Pets (unless they are fish)
- All your clothes for the whole year (The closets are not huge... bring clothes in season and put the rest in storage, have them shipped later, or go back and get them when the seasons change)
6. I’m a freshman, which orientation should I attend?
NCOD Freshman (Deaf or hard of hearing freshman)
Deaf and hard of hearing students must attend both NCOD and CSUN Orientation. The NCOD Orientation is a week long and includes attending the CSUN orientation merge day. Deaf and hard of hearing students will be provided a brochure about the week long orientation activities once they have been admitted to CSUN. The goal of the NCOD and CSUN orientation is to make the transition to CSUN as smooth as possible and is filled with experiences of a lifetime. NCOD freshman will move into the residence halls on Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to the Student Housing Office (17950 Lassen Street) Building 6 - Pacific Willow Hall. Please look for the balloons and signs to find the check-in table. There will be no late check-ins. If you arrive after 3:00 p.m. you will have to wait until the next day (Aug 17, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. to check in). Please contact aileen.rolen@csun.edu for more NCOD check-in information. Hearing Freshman
Non-NCOD Freshman living in the Lighthouse Living Learning Community will also move in on Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to the Student Housing Office (17950 Lassen Street) Building 6 – Pacific Willow Hall. Follow the balloons and signs. There will be no late check-ins. If you arrive after 3:00 p.m. you will have to wait until the next day (Aug 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. to check in). The First Year Welcome (Housing Orientation) starts Sunday, August 16th at 8:30pm and ends Friday, August 21st. The First Year Welcome is a program designed to familiarize you with the issues you will be facing as a new resident, build community within the Living Learning Communities, build connections to the University and to provide programming that will enable you to have a successful first year experience in the residence halls. It is fun, interactive, and vital to a great start here at CSUN! There is a one time fee of $25 for first time freshmen living in the community to help cover the cost of providing the First Year Welcome experience. Attendance for this program is mandatory for all first time freshmen in the Lighthouse Living Learning Community. If you need to request release from this program please e-mail Melissa Giles at melissa.giles@csun.edu.
First Year Welcome**
(a much more detailed schedule will be sent to you in the summer)
Aug 16, 2009 – Aug 21, 2009
(a much more detailed schedule will be sent to you in the summer)
Aug 16, 2009 – Aug 21, 2009
- Sunday, August 16: Move in day 10:00am-3:00pm, Lighthouse Social 8:30pm in the building 6 lobby (Pacific Willow)
- Monday, August 17: Lighthouse Session #1 9:00-11:00am, Parent Orientation, Lighthouse Session #2 1:00pm-3:00pm, Attend Housing Family BBQ
- Tuesday, August 18 - Thursday, August 20: You will be attending conference style information sessions that will cover topics such as successful roommating, campus resources, clubs and organization and much more. There will be several teambuilders and get-to-know-you activities. You’ll have plenty of time to check out campus life, run academic errands (bookstore, etc.) and attend evening Housing socials each night
- Friday, August 21: Campus Orientation
- Monday, August 24: Classes Start
7. Do you have a transfer student orientation?
All Lighthouse transfer students are welcome to attend the First Year Welcome. We do not have a specific orientation for transfer students. This orientation will be beneficial to you because you will have an opportunity to meet a lot of people, become more comfortable with the university’s resources and campus culture, as well as get a jump start to your residential experience in the Lighthouse. The orientation will be interactive, informative, and fun. If you chose to attend you must be actively involved in the entire week. If you chose to attend the First Year Welcome move in day is Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at the Student Housing Office (17950 Lassen Street) Building 6 – Pacific Willow Hall. Follow the balloons and signs. There will be no late check-ins. If you arrive after 3:00 p.m. you will have to wait until the next day (Aug 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. to check in). The First Year Welcome starts Sunday, August 16th at 8:30 p.m. and ends Friday, August 21st. There is a one time fee of $25 to help cover the cost of providing the First Year Welcome. Attendance for this program is optional for all transfer students in the Lighthouse Living Learning Community.
First Year Welcome**
(a much more detailed schedule will be sent to you in the summer)
Aug 16, 2009 – Aug 21, 2009
(a much more detailed schedule will be sent to you in the summer)
Aug 16, 2009 – Aug 21, 2009
- Sunday, August 16: Move in day 10:00am-3:00pm, Lighthouse Social 8:30pm in the building 6 lobby (Pacific Willow)
- Monday, August 17: Lighthouse Session #1 9:00-11:00am, Parent Orientation, Lighthouse Session #2 1:00pm-3:00pm, Attend Housing Family BBQ
- Tuesday, August 18 - Thursday, August 20: You will be attending conference style information sessions that will cover topics such as successful roommating, campus resources, clubs and organization and much more. There will be several teambuilders and get-to-know-you activities. You’ll have plenty of time to check out campus life, run academic errands (bookstore, etc.) and attend evening Housing socials each night
- Friday, August 21: Campus Orientation
- Monday, August 24: Classes Start
8. How do I pick my roommate, and how do I contact them.
Picking which room you will live in is done completely on-line through the Housing website. You will be able to go on-line and pick the building and room you want to live in. You will only see available rooms. If you already know who you want your roommates to be, you will need to communicate with them so all of you sign-up for the same room. Each person will need to go into the on-line system and select the same room at the same time. Logging on to the room selection system the day it opens is the best way to try to self select roommates that you already know. After you have selected your building and room through the On-line Room Selection process, you will be asked to complete a Roommate Profile Sharing Setup page. On this page, you are able to select what contact information your potential roommates will have access to. The information includes your name, phone number, email, sleeping and smoking preferences. You can share all, part or none of this information. If, your roommates chose to share their profile information, you will see who your potential roommates will be. If they chose not to, because of confidentiality laws, you will have to wait until you move in to meet your roommates. Another way to meet potential roommates or Lighthouse community members is to join the Lighthouse Facebook group "Lighthouse LLC 2008-2009."
9. How do I get my internet hooked up once I arrive…do I need something special?
All buildings in Student Housing have access to FREE wireless internet. Your computer needs to be equipped with a wireless card. You can access the wireless network by joining the 'CSUN' network. If you do not have a wireless card, you can purchase one or purchase a LAN cable and plug directly into the wall to access the internet. For more information click here.
10. How do I get video relay?
Sorenson Video Relay Company tends to host a booth during the first week of move in at the dorms. If you would like to visit Sorenson website to get further information on setting up video relay in your dorm, here is the link: http://www.sorensonvrs.com.
11. I hate to cook... How does the meal plan work?
The meal plan is purchased through the University Corporation, not housing. For more information on meal plan options and costs, please click here. The meal plans include 10 meals at Geronimos, our cafeteria located in Housing, and Dining Dollars which can be used at other on-campus eateries.
12. What is a Resident Advisor (RA) and does every floor have one?
Every floor has a Resident Advisor (RA). Their role in relation to their floor and residents is to facilitate meetings, host programs to foster personal growth, and encourage interaction as well as provide individual and academic support.
13. What are Community Standards and floors meetings
Community Standards are guidelines that members of the floor can all agree upon and follow to insure a secure and comfortable environment for everybody. The floor decides these Community Standards themselves and in the past they have ranged from how to deal with strangers to abandoned laundry in dryers to leaving doors open for more floor interaction. Community standards tend to be established in the beginning of the year, and are added to throughout the year. The RA will be there to facilitate the floors discussion around standards.
Questions Parents often ask... but students need to know too! 1. How much is housing?
For current Rates and Rooms, please click here. You can choose double occupancy with a kitchen or a double occupancy without a kitchen. If you choose a double without a kitchen, you are required to purchase a meal plan. The Lighthouse community is located in building 6 (Pacific Willow Hall) which only has double occupancies with kitchens.
2. When do I need to pay my bill?
The current payment schedule is listed here. You can choose either the Monthly Installment Plan or make the full payment. The charges will be posted to your University Student Account. You will need to login to your CSUN Web Portal account and pay your rent through the Solar system.
3. What if my Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) money has not been approved yet?
The deadlines for Housing deposit and first payment are strict. The State organizations that provide financial support to students have their timelines, as well. The goal is to give your DOR counselor all correct and complete information in plenty of time to meet the University Housing deadline. If you have not, or if you have and something has gone wrong at the DOR end, ask DOR if you can pay the deposit and they can reimburse you. If DOR has not yet approved paying for your Housing fees, plan to pay for Housing with other funds, i.e. Financial Aid, Student Loan, family, etc. You don't want to lose your spot because you have missed submitting your deposit on time.
4. Is it safe to live on campus?
CSUN has several systems set in place in order to ensure the safety of its students. The police department, called The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is housed on campus which allows for a quick response time to emergency situations. DPS also provides a nighttime escort service called the Matador Patrol. Upon request, the Matador Patrol escorts students between buildings and/or to their car from dusk to 11:00pm. Throughout campus there are Emergency “Blue Light” Phones. The emergency phones connect directly to the police in case of Police, Medical or Fire emergencies. There is also a TTY emergency phone available close to the Lighthouse Community. Student Housing controls both auto and foot traffic during busy nights (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) in Housing by closing the gates to the Housing complex. In order to enter the Housing complex, students must show their resident ID and register their guests.
5. What about parking?
You need to have a Residential/Housing Parking Permit to park your car in Student Housing. You may purchase your Housing Parking Permit online through the campus Web Portal at http://www.csun.edu/portal. For additional parking information such as cost and payment instructions, go to http://www-admn.csun.edu/parking.
6. Is there public transportation?
Yes there is. Here are the links that will provide you with the public Metro Bus and Metrolink train schedules.
7. What if my student is having a hard time communicating with their roommate?
Communication is essential in our daily lives and having access to communication with roommates is no exception. If it's determined that two roommates can not understand each other, the resident advisor should be informed immediately to access the situation and help bridge communication. The sooner the RA knows of the communication break-down, the better the outcome. If the situation is severe enough to warrant a roommate switch, the resident should contact the Park North Community Director to further discuss the issue and alternative options in order to avoid disrupting the student's education.
8. My student is having roommate problems, how can I help them?
Each room in the beginning of the year fills out a Roommate Contract. The roommate contracts are given out by the Resident Advisors (RAs) during the first floor meeting. The contracts give residents an opportunity to sit down together, talk, and make decisions about topics such as their guest policy, who will clean what, what can be shared, study and sleeping hours, and much more. After the contract is complete, then each roommate signs it, showing their agreeance. The roommate contracts are handed out to students. It is up to them to actually fill them out, and if they need help to contact their RA. If a roommate breaks a roommate contract then a Roommate Mediation is completed by the RA. At that time, only the issue that the residents are unable to agree on is discussed and more detailed guidelines are written out. If this does not work, residents are welcome to contact the Park North Community Director. Their information can be found on the Student Housing website.