Welcome to the Rivera House Living-Learning Community Page!
Rivera House is SUNY New Paltz's LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community. Rivera House is designed for students who share an interest in being active members in a network of LGBTQ+ identified individuals. This is a community intended to offer a safe and comfortable space for students to connect, live, and learn with one another.
- What Is A Living Learning Community?
- What are the Requirements?
- Is There A Charge?
- Where is Rivera House located?
- What Are the Benefits Of Living In Rivera House?
- Contact Us!
- Apply Now!
What Is A Living Learning Community?
Living-learning communities (LLC) offer students with similar interests, majors, or lifestyles, the opportunity to live together in the same residence hall during the academic year.
What are the Requirements?
Participants are required to take a one credit course in the Fall and Spring semesters focusing on topics related to LGBTQ+ history and identity, resources, and community development. Class is generally on Tuesdays from 5-6:15. There are special community events and programs for participants as well, however, these are not required.
Is There A Charge?
There is a $50 program charge for participation in the Rivera House LLC. You can pay it online, with cash, or with a check. If you would prefer to pay the program charge confidentially, please let the Rivera House Coordinator(s) know. Rivera House is committed to maintaining residents' confidentiality to promote a safe atmosphere and an accessible program for all, no matter where they are in developing their LGBTQ+ or ally identity.
Rivera House is committed to maintaining residents' confidentiality to promote a safe atmosphere and an accessible program for all, no matter where they are in developing their LGBTQ+ or ally identity. With this in mind, Rivera House coordinators will work with students to collect the programming charge in a way which will not out them to others, if this is a concern. If you would prefer to pay the program charge confidentially, please let the Rivera House Coordinator(s) know.
Where is Rivera House located?
Students participating in the program will be housed in a corridor style residence hall. Rivera House is not a “house” on its own. Students can live with the same or differently gendered roommates and will have the chance to identify their preferences on the housing application. Rivera House students may be placed in double or triple rooms, based on housing interest and preferences.
What Are the Benefits Of Living In Rivera House?
- Have priority access to a multitude of programming specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies, surrounding topics of gender identity, sexual orientation, healthy living, career exploration, networking, leadership development, study groups, and social and cultural activities
- Cultivate meaningful relationships within an intentional community of supportive peers, faculty, and staff working together to create safe, welcoming spaces to express who you are, discuss LGBTQ+ Issues, and have fun.
Important Links:
Rivera House History:
Rivera House launched in the fall of 2015 under the direction of Dr. Jessica N. Pabón (faculty of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies). There have been various structural changes to Rivera House based on student feedback and the ongoing and changing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. As of fall 2019, Rivera House is under the direction of the Department of Residence Life and the LGBTQ Coordinator. Dr. Jessica N. Pabón continues involvement with Rivera House by teaching the required Intro to Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies course.
Our LLC is named after Puerto Rican and Venezuelan- American transgender activist Sylvia Rae Rivera (b 1951- d 2002). Rivera, born and raised in New York City, was a devoted social justice activist and fierce advocate for LGBTQ youth of color. Her activism linked to homelessness and poverty, racism, transphobia and heterosexist discrimination was extensive. She was involved in a variety of grassroots organizations and movements including the Puerto Rican Young Lords and the Black Panthers. She was also a founding member of the gay liberation front, the gay activists alliance, and co-founder of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries. Rivera was committed to changing conditions and the quality of life for those who, like her, were on the margins of not only mainstream society but also the mainstream LGBTQ rights movement.
Contact Us!
If you have additional comments, questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us!
- For general Rivera House questions, and application questions: Nico Martinez (they/them) LGBTQ+ Program and Diversity Manager and Co-Coordinator of Rivera House martinef1@newpaltz.edu.
- For building specific/room questions: Residence Life Office, reslife@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-4444.
Amanda Norton (left) and Emma Morcone (right), Co-Directors of Rivera House, at the LGBTQ Gala of the Hudson Valley in March of 2019.
