About

Are you interested in living with a group of like-minded students and working together on a project or theme of mutual interest? Are you excited about building strong relationships with faculty and other mentors? Would you like to share your project with fellow students and the Emory community? Then check out the Clifton Communities, a new Office of Residence, Sorority, and Fraternity Life initiative for 2024-2025!

Timeline

  • 1/29: Clifton Communities Applications Go Live

  • 2/5: Information Session (8-9 PM)

  • 2/12: Information Session (8-9 PM)

  • 2/19: Information Session (8-9 PM)

  • 2/29: Application Deadline (11:59 PM)

  • 3/1: Finalists are Notified of the Presentation 

  • 3/5: Interview / Group Presentation 

  • 3/6: Selected Groups are Notified

  • 3/22: Final Clifton Commuity Rosters Due by 5pm

  • April 2024: Leadership Training Session 

  • Spring 2025: End-of-the-Year Presentation and Showcase

Who Can Participate?

Rising Atlanta campus sophomores and juniors who are Oxford graduates. Students will live in Clifton Tower in groups of six.

Interview/Presentation Day for Selected Groups

There is a quick turnaround from the application deadline to when groups get notified and the interview/presentation. No need to worry!  The presentation is scheduled for March 5th, from 9 am to 12 pm, with each group allocated a 20-minute slot.

Here's a breakdown of the time allocation:

  • 8 - 10 minutes: Presentation

  • 8 - 10 minutes: Panel's questions about your project

If any group member is unavailable due to class or work commitments, please promptly email Clifton Communities Coordinator Gina Savedra at gina.savedra@emory.edu. It's essential to have at least one co-project lead or a group member present.

Suggested Presentation Breakdown:

  • Slide 1: Title page and introduction of presenter(s)

  • Slide 2: Recap of the proposal or the project's purpose. Keep it concise, as the judges will already have a copy of your application submission.

  • Slide 3 (or more if needed): Share the timeline of ideas, goals, and anticipated projects. Keep it simple and to the point.

  • Slide 4 (or more): Miscellaneous - anything else you'd like to share?

Community Summary

Two students in each group will be the Co-Project Leads, responsible for leading their team and communicating with their faculty advisor or mentor and ORSFL. Each Clifton Community is eligible for project funding up to $2,000 and will present their projects in a year-end showcase.

About Clifton Tower

Students will live in Clifton Tower, in groups of six. Suites consist of three doubles with one bathroom, plus common living space and kitchenette.

Student Expectations

Project Lead
  • Two students will be Co-Project Leads for Clifton Community proposals and projects. The community as a whole is responsible for the project; the Co-Project Leads are the point persons for communications and administration.

  • They are responsible for submitting the Clifton Communities application for their group.The Co-Project Leads of the selected Clifton Communities will attend a leadership training session in April 2024.

  • They will meet with the Clifton Communities Coordinator and Faculty Advisor or mentor monthly during the academic year.

  • The Co-Project Leads will document project activities and budget needs.

  • They will deliver the project presentation in the spring showcase in 2024.

 

All Clifton Community Members
  • All members commit to living together and participating in the project throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • All members participate in developing and implementing the project.

  • All members engage in project activities regularly and contribute to the application, documentation, and project presentation coordinated by the Co-Project Leads.

  • All members participate in preparing and delivering their project presentation in the spring showcase in 2025.

For Faculty Advisors

If you cannot secure an advisor by the application deadline, you have until the end of the Spring 2024 semester. If you need guidance in contacting an advisor, please email Linda Bachman.

 

Faculty (or other Emory leaders) Who Advise Clifton Communities Can Expect:
  • to consult with students as they articulate their project proposal;

  • to assist their students in developing a project plan, setting goals and timelines for the year;

  • to offer advice, opening doors to resources and ideas as appropriate, and providing feedback to help deepen student learning;

  • to attend the presentation and showcase of Clifton Community projects in April 2025

The Office of Residence, Sorority, and Fraternity Life appreciates the service of Clifton Community Advisors and will provide documentation of the service activities and impact of Clifton Community Advisors to their department chairs and deans, in recognition of their important engagement in enhancing the student experience.

Advisors will also have opportunities to build an interdisciplinary community and connection with the cohort of Advisors and the campus leaders who serve on the selection and advisory committee. In some cases, Clifton Community projects may align with research or disciplinary interests, offering Faculty Advisors informal opportunities for data gathering or other intellectual exploration.

Support for Clifton Communities from ORSFL

The Academic Initiatives Coordinator (Gina Savedra, gina.savedra@emory.edu) is the staff lead for Clifton Communities, and will manage the administration of the program and coordinate communications and support for student Project Leads and Faculty Advisors.

Clifton Communities will propose project budgets up to $2,000 for the academic year.

Examples of Presentations