CASA SOL

An MCAE LLC for Latinx students

About

CASA SOL LLC - icon of a golden sun rising bhind a maroon rooftop with chimney

CASA SOL provides opportunities for students to explore their own identity as well as opportunities for students who want to reach beyond their own cultural background and learn about the experiences of others. 

The goal of the CASA SOL Living Learning Community is to provide a supportive community where the academic experiences of students are nurtured and enriched, and to help students make friends and find their niche on campus. Participants have the opportunity to live, study, and participate in curricular activities together. 

CASA SOL gives you the opportunity to connect with the Latinx community on campus, find academic support, explore leadership opportunities, and, of course, have fun! CASA SOL students participate in cultural events, networking events, workshops, and a community that will make them feel at home at the University! CASA SOL ensures access to academic resources in an environment that understands where you are coming from.

About MCAE LLCs

The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) invites incoming first-year students who are first-generation and/or Black, Indigenous, and Students of Color (BISOC) to live in a close knit and dynamic community at the University of Minnesota. MCAE has four educational support priorities for the LLC residents: sense of belonging, self-efficacy, academic support, and navigating a predominantly white institution (PWI). We acknowledge that MCAE LLC residents hold diverse identities and their lived experiences exist beyond the walls of the university. 

The MCAE Living Learning Communities (LLC) encompass five identity-based communities, which include:

Details

The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) LLCs are located in Pioneer Hall, in double rooms, and are limited to the first 80 students who apply.

Contact

Dr. Fernando Rodriguez 
Director of the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence 

Email: [email protected]  

Daniel Morales Morales 
Interim Assistant Director of Inclusive Classroom Climate

Email: [email protected]

Additional Information

Benefits

Students who become residents of an MCAE LLC should expect the following:

  • Support from a MCAE LLC Peer Mentor
  • Intentional connections with various on-campus resources
  • Biweekly LLC Community connections led by their Peer Mentor
  • Semesterly all-LLC Gatherings
  • Engagement with Alumni from the LLCs
  • Individualized holistic support from MCAE staff
  • Access to enroll in LEAD 1961W: Personal Leadership in the University. This is a MCAE partnership with the leadership minor for students to explore leadership on a personal level, while building community and a sense of belonging in an intentionally small classroom.
  • Academic grade checks at the midpoint and end of each semester 

Requirements

Students interested in participating in an MCAE Living Learning Community must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a first-year student 
  • Identify with one of the five MCAE LLC identities
  • Submit a completed Housing Application AND supplemental MCAE LLC Application (to be emailed from MCAE)
  • Attend the LLC Retreat (hosted late-August)
  • Attend the MCAE Kick-Off prior to the start of the academic year
  • Attend two holistic support meetings each semester with an MCAE or Center of Indigenous Nations (COIN) professional staff
  • Attend biweekly community meetings and events 
  • Live on campus for the entire duration of the academic year (fall and spring)
  • Must follow Housing & Residential Life community/conduct expectations as well as University’s Student Code of Conduct
  • Participate in at least two MCAE events per semester (outside of your LLC events) 

Roommates

  • Students selected to participate in an MCAE Living Learning Community will be assigned a roommate. Roommate requests are not accepted.
  • Most students are housed with a roommate participating in an MCAE Living Learning Community. Roommate matches are NOT specific to specific LLC designation. For example, you can be accepted into Huntley House and have a roommate participating in CASA SOL.

Process

  1. Complete a Housing & Residential Life application and select the MCAE LLC(s) you are interested in joining.
    • Important Note: Space in LLCs is limited so we encourage you to apply early for housing. Students who apply prior to March 1 will have a higher chance of being assigned to one of their preferred LLCs.
  2. Check your UMN email: If you expressed interest in one of MCAE's LLCs you will receive an email communication from MCAE with complete application information in mid-summer.
  3. Submit your MCAE LLC application! Only students who submit a completed MCAE LLC application will be considered.
  4. Check your UMN email: The first round of LLC application reviews begins in early summer.

Live and learn with CASA SOL!