Anonymous
2021 · 269 words
"Y'all who's loofa is in the middle of the hallway??
Someone finessed my pizza but I'll let it slide…
Guys, if anyone took my blue scooter from outside my room could u plz make sure to put it back when ur done?"–G-House
These are all real text messages from my dorm group chat. I am one of the senior leaders in an all freshman-girl dorm, and through the trials and tribulations of 32 girls living together, we developed social norms such as labeling your food in the fridge (so your food isn't "finessed") and our cut-throat first-come-first-serve shower policy. We know that if someone leaves the common room too messy, that could mean a lecture for all of us so we try our best to collectively keep the dorm tidy. We also know the importance of our Sunday dorm jobs– to leave a well-kept dorm for the cleaning faculty creating a mutual level of respect between us and them. They are included in the community too. But we also have Friday night dorm bonding filled with lots of fun and laughter due to the well-functioning community we have been able to build– the benefits of inclusion.
Inclusion means to be a part of something. In this case, being a part of the dorm community, and an acknowledgment of each and everyone's role in the community allows for things to run smoothly. Through the concept of inclusion, I have learned the invaluable skill of how to best participate in a community of people I did not choose, nor control and I hope to bring my experiences to Villanova next fall.