Virginia Tech plans to close two of its living-learning communities tailored for students interested in Africana and LGBTQ+ studies.
Affected students were notified in September that the university will cease to offer the Ujima Living-Learning Community and Lavender House after the spring semester ends, according to the university.
There are more than 200 students enrolled between the two different residential programs, university spokesperson Mark Owczarski said via email. The change will not impact current participants during the 2025-26 academic year, the email said.
“This decision was made by the university with thoughtful reflection and care,” Owczarski said. “Recognizing the meaningful experiences and connections that have defined both communities and to support continuous efforts to improve academic programming in ways that support inclusive, enriching, and academically grounded opportunities for all students.”
The decision to close these two out of the university’s 21 living-learning communities was made through the office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, he said.
“It is not uncommon for residence life to change living learning community options from year to year,” Owczarski said.
In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs from institutions of higher education that receive federal grants. Owczarski did not respond to a follow-up question on whether federal pressure played a role in the decision to end the two living communities.
The move comes after a March vote by the university board of visitors to shutter its office of inclusion, in response to the Trump push against DEI in higher education.
Living-learning communities are a common housing feature on college campuses, wherein students with similar interests, experiences or backgrounds live in the same area and share courses.
There are 183 students enrolled in the Ujima Living-Learning Community, Owczarski said. It began in 2018, “to support cultural enrichment and academic excellence, offering students of all backgrounds opportunities to engage in programming and dialogue centered on Black identity, culture, and history,” he said.
Lavender House enrolls 35 students, and started in 2022 as a residential space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. It was created “to foster learning, support, and community by engaging students in conversations about LGBTQ+ lived experiences, particularly as they intersect with other identities,” Owczarski said.
Some of the various other living communities at Virginia Tech are focused on interfaith, male and female engineers, the arts, the Corps of Cadets, and personal growth, according to a university webpage.
Current and former faculty and staff for the living-learning communities did not respond to inquiries about the closures. On a Facebook page called Virginia Tech Parents, one anonymous member said they were “beyond disappointed” to learn of the changes.
“My daughter joined Lavender House as a freshman this year and it has been an incredible godsend for her and for so many of her peers,” the poster said. “That feeling of betrayal is just … really hard to stomach — for both students and parents.”
“The decision was made before students began the housing selection process for next year,” Owczarski said last week. “Throughout this transition, we remain guided by Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, which affirms our shared commitment to respect, diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge within a welcoming and supportive environment.”
Luke Weir (540) 566-8917
luke.weir@roanoke.com
Love
0
Funny
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
Want to see more like this?
Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Luke Weir
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today