At the University of Connecticut, 80 percent of white male students graduate in six-years. But, in 2015, only 55 percent of African American male students graduated in the same time period, the lowest of any racial group at the university.

To help give these students access to resources, professors, and a living community that will help them graduate, the university has created ScHOLA2RS House. The learning community, which was announced last week, will be open to 40 freshmen and sophomores beginning this fall.

“We know it’s not issue of whether African-American males have the capability to excel in school; rather, it is their environment that sometimes inhibits their potential,’’ said Stephanie Reitz, spokeswoman for the university. “At many predominantly white institutions nationwide, elements of African-American culture are harder to find, which can make some students experience a sense of detachment from their universities.’’


Although participation will be open to all students, those who identify as black or mixed-race will be prioritized in selection. Twelve students have already expressed interest in the program.

But what about black females? The university said they graduate at a much higher rate than black males, but said they could join another learning community or collaborate with the ScHOLA2RS House once it’s established.

While some have taken to online forums to criticize how the learning community is promoting segregation, Reitz said the house won’t be a separate building. It will be located in the new “Next Gen Hall,’’ which opens this fall, and means the students will live among 700 of their peers.

This isn’t the first learning community with a focus on a specific race or gender. Right now, the university allows students to be part of La Comunidad Intelectual, which recognizes and critically examines Caribbean and Latin American cultures, as well as Women in Math, Science and Engineering, which Reitz said is consistently among their most popular living communities.