Six living options really were better than one for former University of Idaho student Monzerrath Stark.
Stark, who now works as UI Associate director of Admission and Multicultural Recruitment, had the opportunity to experience numerous living options in her time as a student.
Stark said that during her time at UI, she lived in Ballard Hall, Wiley, Forney Hall, the Living Learning Communities, Gooding, was an Resident Assistant for Targhee Hall and lived off campus her last year.
Stark said experiencing all of these different living options helped her grow as a person and allowed her to have a “home away from home”.
Monzerrath Stark | Courtesy
“I have so many good memories for each one,” Stark said. “From living with my College Assistant Migrant Program sisters, to getting to know students from all over the world, to giving me the experience I need to be in my current position. These memories are so meaningful because they made me the person that I am today.”
Stark said not only did experiencing different living options benefit her, but so did becoming an RA, which provided her with the opportunity for personal growth.
“It made me more responsible,” she said. “It made me feel safe and welcomed. I come from a very close-knit family, and they mean the world to me, which is how I felt when I lived on campus.”
Stark said being an RA was important because it meant she didn’t have to worry about the costs of room and board, which was helpful to her and her family.
Along with living in many different options on campus, Stark also joined a sorority her first semester of college, Organizacion de Estudiantes Latino Americano, an organization for Latino students at UI.
Stark said joining a sorority while remaining in on-campus housing was an important part of her college experience. She said it made her feel like she belonged, changing her life.
Stark said living on campus meant the world to her.
“Not only did I enjoy living on campus — I craved it,” Stark said. “I wanted to see what my next hall experience was going to be like. I wanted to see who I was going to meet next.”
Stark said one of her favorite memories living on campus was at the LLCs Around the World event.
Stark said during the event, every RA chooses a country. She chose her birthplace Mexico.
“I made mole enchiladas, and as people kept coming in to see the decorations (and) the food,” Stark said. ¨I had to keep cooking because everyone loved the food.”
Stark said she would recommend that students give on-campus living a try, but that students should choose whatever option makes them feel the most comfortable and happy.
Stark said for her, living on campus was the right choice. She said living on campus meant that she was close to the cafeteria, classes and professors offices which was important to her.
“I enjoyed getting knocks on my door from suitemates (and) hall mates that would ask me to go to concerts, movies, and sports events with them,” Stark said. “I enjoyed not paying electricity, cable, garbage and so on. I loved my experience, and I can only hope that everyone is feeling the same.”
Stark said her advice for students is to look at on-campus housing and if funding seems difficult, to visit the UI Financial Aid Office and look for scholarships.
“Give living on-campus a chance,” Stark said. “Living on campus helped me stay in school and helped me understand the value of an education.”
Cody Allred can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyLAllred