<p>The minerva system sounds interesting, but I am wondering if anyone can share their experiences with it. Does it work as advertised, meaning do the students enjoy it and take advantage of it? I know the students do not rush until sophomore year, but once they join Greek life, do they tend to "end" their participation in the minerva? I understand the minerva system includes an academic component - can someone please clarify this? Do the students actually take a course through minerva (for credit), or does the academic component mean there are guest speakers, or prof-led discussions available (optional)? Given that the minerva house is not by major or academic interest, I am confused about the academic component - or is it an orientation class?</p>
<p>It sounds like a good idea - but sometimes good ideas work in theory but not in practicality. I was told the college's initial reason for creating the system was to replace Greek life, but then I have been told that Greek life is huge at Union.</p>
<p>Thank you to anyone who may have information to share.</p>
<p>Hi! My name is Jordan and I’m a junior intern in the admissions office here at Union and luckily I know a lot about Minervas! As a tour guide, I spend a lot of time learning and talking about Minervas with both current and prospective students. The way I see it is that Minervas are a blend of social, academic, and ‘home’ life. Each first year students is randomly matched with one of our seven Minerva houses and from that point on, it’s mostly up to the student to take advantage of everything the Minerva system has to offer. A student-led council with a faculty advisor runs each house, and each house receives a budget from the school each year to host events and provide entertainment (socially and academically) to the Union community. I became involved with my Minerva’s council (Messa House) early on during my first year, and it’s been a great experience for me! Students on the council as well as students who are not involved in council can request funding and space from a Minerva to host almost any event they want, or even just use the living space to relax and feel more at home. At Messa we have hosted events like barbecues, carnivals, coffee tasting events, dinners and discussions with professors, Sunday night football events, and many more! Minervas are an awesome resource on campus, whether you attend events, sit on council, use the space to hang out or cook a meal, or even live there (an option for upper class students)! </p>
<p>In regards to your question about the academic component, there is no specific course related to the Minervas. Each Minerva has a classroom where a wide range of classes are held. Many students will have classes in a Minerva throughout their time at Union, but it is not one specific course. There are many academic events held in Minervas, often times guest speakers and professor led discussions as you mentioned! Each professor here at Union is also assigned to a Minerva, and they often attend events outside of class as well as create events! The Minerva system does a great job of connecting students and professors across all curriculums here at Union.</p>
<p>The Minerva system was created to add another dimension of activities to Union, and often times Minervas work in conjunction with Greek Life. I have been involved with my Minerva since my first year as I mentioned before, and I am now also involved in Greek Life. While the two are vastly different, by no means does a student have to choose between the two, and I have found it to be greatly beneficial to be involved both at the same time.</p>
<p>Thank you. Just to clarify, I did not actually think that the students were expected to “choose” between the Minerva and Greek life. It is more that I assumed the students get busy and tend to find their social niche, and basically spend their free time where they choose. I did not mean to imply that it had to be one or the other, but from my kids’ friends in Greek life in many schools (not Union), I can tell that theses friends tend to become their “main” social circle. This is why I felt that the kids at Union would probably take advantage of the social component of the Minerva idea initially, and later as they found their “people” on campus, may choose to be less involved with their Minerva house.</p>