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Adelia Cheever Program

The Cheever Program’s legacy was originated by Noah and Adelia Cheever in the late 1800s for University of Michigan students. Striving for generosity, diversity, community, friendship, personal wellness, and leadership, Cheever’s home evolved into a University Co-Op for women and later into a Theme Community at Helen Newberry.

Current students in the program embody the spirit and traditions of Cheever alumnae. Such traditions include three committees: Global Perspectives, Women in Leadership, Wellness, Cheever Chats (bi-weekly group discussions and programming), organizing annual events such as the Cheever Legacy Night, Culture Night, Galentine’s Night and much more! Returning Cheever members are eligible to rejoin the community as a Cheever Scholar, or Cheever Mentor, to incoming Cheever members. See below for more information!

Expectations for incoming students

  • Participate in programs and weekly Cheever Chats
  • Assist community members in program planning
  • Serve on at least two Cheever committees

Expectations for returning students

In honor of past benefactors, the Adelia Cheever Board of Patronesses, and fellow Cheever alumnae, the Board awards
scholarships each year to sophomore and higher students in the program who meet the following qualifications:

  • Active participant during the first year in Cheever (attending events, involved in program planning, supporting community members etc.)
  • Apply for the Adelia Cheever Scholarship as well as:
    • Obtain a cumulative 3.0 GPA by sophomore year
    • Interview with Board of Patronesses
    • Serve as a peer mentor for first-year Cheever members
    • Assist with ‘Cheever Chats’

Second Year Experience

The Second Year Experience (SYE) is a community focused on the unique needs and interests of second-year residents. SYE residents have the opportunity to enhance their second year at the University of Michigan by attending events and engaging with resources to help them:

  • Cultivate a greater awareness of personal beliefs and values
  • Explore academic, professional and career goals
  • Enhance intercultural knowledge and competence
  • Develop a deeper understanding of personal and civic responsibility
  • Build intentional and lasting connections with others in the residential, campus, and local communities

“The Theme Community that I have been able to live in is the Second Year Experience at Stockwell Hall. I would encourage other students to think about joining the Second Year Experience because of the support that it bestows upon sophomore year students. Sophomore year is a critical time for students because they are not only beginning to take advanced classes for their major, they are also trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their degree, whether that is getting a job, going to a professional school or even taking a gap year. The Second Year Experience is geared towards allowing students to pursue different academic and career goals while also developing their personal beliefs. It not only allows you to focus on school, but also on issues on campus and in society today. I would encourage all students to consider joining the Second Year Experience because this community allows second-year students to foster friendships as well as offers a plethora of opportunities to grow. It definitely has done that for me, and more.”

“I was most surprised by the willingness of students living in the dorms to form new friendships. I thought that sophomores would have already established their friend groups and be reluctant to form new friends. However, residents in Stockwell are still looking to make new connections, find new dining hall buddies, study partners, and late night popcorn sharers. The social aspect of a freshman year dorm is maintained, and slightly better in the Second Year Experience! It is comforting to be around students who are experiencing the same kinds of struggles as second-year students. It makes finding resources and overcoming obstacles a little easier.”

International Impact

International Impact is designed for second-year students and above who are interested in advancing their knowledge and appreciation of our diverse, multicultural world. International Impact provides residents with the unique opportunity to build connections across disciplinary and geographical boundaries. With access to North Quad’s expansive resources, students living in International Impact are part of a vibrant environment in which formal and informal learning takes place.

“I’m a sophomore in the International Impact Theme Community and I can say that so far being a part of this community has been a very good experience for me. So far I would say that some of my favorite moments have been hanging out with my RA and getting to meet the other people on the floor. I feel that they’re all very nice and fun to be around. I was surprised about how much I could learn from the other people on my floor. Last year pretty much everyone on my hallway was a similar major so it was nice to get some other perspectives outside of that. I would definitely recommend joining a Theme Community to other students because it’s a great way to grow and develop as an individual as well as meet new great people.”

Seeing people from all different backgrounds live in harmony and work together gave me peace of mind. Outside of the dorm represents reality: people of the same nationalities, races and backgrounds stick together, but in the residence hall, what we want campus life to be comes to life: people that are different mix and mingle, and enjoy being around one another without the need to retreat to a safe space for fear of judgment, being ostracized or looked at differently just for being themselves. I’m so grateful to have been placed in North Quad; life here has been a breath of fresh air, and an escape from the stresses that come from sharing space with people who don’t always want to give that space up.”

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