Finding Community in SAGE

Are you tired of sharing your communal spaces with 50 other students? Looking for a place on campus that is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and progress? Well, look no further! The SAGE SLU is the perfect choice for you! 

If this is the first time hearing about the SAGE SLU, you would not be the first student. The SLUs’, or small living units, are housing residences on campus where upperclassmen typically reside. 

These spaces on campus are extremely small communities, which fit a maximum of 12 students, with missions tied to them that all members residing in the homes are impassioned about pursuing.

SAGE stands for sexuality and gender equity, which is the mission that this small living unit stands for. Students who come to live in this space are those who are enthusiastic about progressing the rights and equity for those with sexual and gender minority identities. SAGE is accepting of all identities, including straight or cisgender allies who still fight for the equity of the community. 

These spaces can help to build absolutely incredible communities as well as introduce you to people that can become lifelong friends. Senior Riley Altman has lived in the house for 2 years now, and his experience is like so many others who have walked through these doors.

“Overall, the house truly feels like a home, and my housemates feel like family,” Altman shared when asked about his experience in the house.

While SAGE has had a bit of a hard time getting the word out about its presence and mission, there are some students who have gotten to hear about the small living unit. Senior Katie Fink, who once considered SAGE as a possible housing placement, still considers SAGE to be a vital asset to the campus and one that students should consider joining. 

“It’s inclusivity. It’s important to have a space where LGBTQ+ identities can get together and show their visibility on campus,” Fink stated when asked about why SAGE is vital.

It should be known that a SAGE should not be an end-all solution for something such as loneliness on campus. Previous moderator, Milo Morton, who was also a resident of the unit for 4 years, shares an important piece of advice to freshmen who are considering joining the SAGE small living unit. 

The advice is “Just the action of joining a SLU will not guarantee you friends or make you a better person. You need to be willing to put in the work to be a supportive member of the community.” 

This advice is critical to consider when thinking about applying, because there is an interview process. The specific mission that the SAGE small living unit pursues requires members to be individuals who want to do good in the community and work toward social justice. As long as you meet those requirements, you should have no problem finding a place in SAGE.