Residential Learning Communities at Kent State University are on-campus housing based communities of students living together in the same on-campus building who share similar academic or special interests. Students, faculty, and staff choose to participate in these groups with the intended purpose of enhancing and enriching in-class instruction with out-of-class learning experiences. Residential Learning Communities are broken down into four areas:

• Living-Learning Communities
• Residential Colleges
• Theme Communities
• First Year Experience-Faculty Associates (FYE-FA)

With the intended goal of making a large campus feel small, Living-Learning Communities at Kent State University are characterized by their smaller size, their relative intensity, and the purposeful support provided to the students who participate in these communities. Living-learning Communities range in size from 10-75 participants. These smaller groups of students live near each other in the same residence hall or apartment building to assist in developing supportive peer relationships. Students who participate in these communities are scheduled in a set series of connected classes and participate in a series of connected programs, activities, and events designed to enhance their academic experience through intentionally shared experiences. This type of community is characterized by the close working relationships among students and faculty, specialized course assignments, study groups, close relationships among student members and specialized events, activities and workshops. Students are tightly connected through their enrollment in specific sections of courses that act as supportive scaffolding to these highly interactive and close knit communities of students and faculty.

Theme communities at Kent State University are characterized by their emphasis on special interest programming. These communities offer specifically designed opportunities for students to participate in activities, discussions, and extracurricular events that are related to a designated special interest. Residence Services is the key sponsor of this program. They receive significant support from academic and student affairs colleagues from different offices and departments in hosting these various opportunities. There is no required course work linked to joining a Theme community.

A Residential College at Kent State University is characterized by an individual academic college or department, which has intentionally located learning spaces (classrooms, labs, studios) as well as faculty, advising and/or administrative offices within a specific residence hall. These residence halls house a significant percentage of students with academic endeavors relevant to the respective host college. This environmental support encourages students and faculty to continue the teaching and learning process into the public spaces of the building beyond the classroom. Events, workshops, social activities, and other extra-curricular opportunities relevant to the specific host college are common in these areas, also providing an attractive convenience for the students living there. Students are loosely connected through classes by virtue of being in similar majors and courses connected to the host college.

The FYE-Faculty Associates program consists of a series of residence hall communities where incoming first-year students are guaranteed first-year roommates. Students who live in these communities have access to full-time, first-year focused faculty who hold regular office hours conveniently inside their residence hall. During these office hours, the faculty associates who participate in this program engage these first-year students socially through hall events and activities hosted in collaboration with Residence Services staff. These faculty members also engage these students academically through organized study groups, tutoring sessions, general advising, involvement opportunities as well as career and major choice discussions. This close contact with faculty is designed to assist first-year students through their transition to a collegiate atmosphere and a larger academic community. There is no required course work linked to joining the FYE-Faculty Associates program.

For more information visit the First Year Experience Website: http://explore.kent.edu/fye/FYInitiative.html

The Freshman Interest Group (FIG) model allows both commuter and residential students to become part of an academic and social community. Students participating in a FIG are not expected to live in a designated area. Students co-register in linked courses and attend a weekly seminar meeting (University Orientation Course). Involvement in a FIG will facilitate your successful transition to college by providing you with support in the following areas:

• Adjusting to university life
• Understanding the interrelationship of your courses
• Gaining study partners
• Developing lifelong friendships with your FIG mates.

This model provides a unique opportunity for students to experience meaningful interaction with faculty, advisors and fellow students through participation in common classes and campus events.

All residential learning communities do not have an additional charge.

A-BBA is located in Allyn Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

ACE is located in Allyn Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

The College of Business Colleagues is located in Allyn Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

The Education Learning Community is located in Centennial Court B.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

The ELC meets Wednesday evening for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.

Yes.

There are a variety of activities throughout the year. We bring in guest speakers who work in the field, teacher panels, movie nights, and much more!

You can expect to gain a better sense of community. You will become more familiar with the field of education and gain several resources as you progress in the program.

EXCEL is located in Lake Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

LIFE is located in the Allerton Apartments, which are KSU’s on-campus apartments. Allerton Apartments are located on Campus Center Boulevard behind the Recreation Center off East Summit Street.

PEPC is located in Centennial Court B.

Contact the Community Coordinator to request admission to the community.

Students can expect to begin their academic pursuit steps ahead of other students. Students can expect to be connected to other students and faculty in their major from the beginning of their professional pursuit. Students can expect to be connected with professionals outside the university their major. Students can expect to always have direct contact with their program faculty.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

Quest is located in Stopher Hall.

Quest Mentors are sophomore students who are selected based on successful completion of the Quest Learning Community expectations during their freshman year and demonstration of positive leadership skills and academic success. Quest mentors return to live in Stopher Hall during their sophomore year to act as role models and guides for incoming members of the Quest Learning Community. Quest Mentors must maintain a 2.5 GPA, abide by all residence hall and university policies, and have a desire to assist new students in their transition from high school student to college student.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

The SLC is located in Manchester Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

However, there is a slight possibility a community student could receive a non-community roommate in some situations, though rare.

Students who do not plan to participate in the learning community will need to receive special permission from the community coordinator, though permission is not commonly given as the community is reserved for students participating in the program.

Global Passports Learning Community is located in Beall Hall.

Choose to live in Beall hall and select GPLC on section 7 of the Housing Application.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

To join this community a student only need to show interest in the community by checking the appropriate box in section 7 of their Housing Application.

The activities, events and social atmosphere that will take place in this community will be focused around the theme of the community. A student residing in this community who is not interested in this theme may potentially feel disinterested in some of the floor activities due to the theme.

Pathways Wellness Community is located in Fletcher Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

To join this community a student only need to show interest in the community by checking the appropriate box in section 7 of their Housing Application.

The activities, events and social atmosphere that will take place in this community will be focused around the theme of the community. A student residing in this community who is not interested in this theme may potentially feel disinterested in some of the floor activities due to the theme.

Historically students in art majors or with an interest in art have chosen to live in Verder Hall. Thus, over time this building has come to be considered the Professional Fine Arts Community.

No, it is not required for your roommate to be a member of the Professional Fine Arts Community. The events and activities located in this community tend to take an artistic flare due to the historical emphasis the students living in this building bring to their programming interests.

Service Leadership Academy is located in Lake Hall.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

To join this community a student only need to show interest in the community by checking the appropriate box in section 7 of their Housing Application.

The activities, events and social atmosphere that will take place in this community will be focused around the theme of the community. A student residing in this community who is not interested in this theme may potentially feel disinterested in some of the floor activities due to the theme.

Women, Living, Learning, Leading is located in Prentice Hall.

Choose to live in Prentice hall and join the community

Students participating in WL3 are provided opportunities to grow in leadership development, education and a greater awareness of issues affecting women, and are given a supportive, friendly community to be a part.

Yes, one of the goals of a living-learning community is to house students together who are also taking courses together that are connected to this program, thus it is expected that students in this program will live with other students also in this program.

To join this community a student only need to show interest in the community by checking the appropriate box in section 7 of their Housing Application.

The activities, events and social atmosphere that will take place in this community will be focused around the theme of the community. A student residing in this community who is not interested in this theme may potentially feel disinterested in some of the floor activities due to the theme.

CCI Commons is located in Olson Hall.

You must be a College of Communication and Information major and request to live in Olson Hall on your housing application.

To meet other students in your major, attend programs aimed at your major area of interest, and to be connected to what’s going on in the College of Communication and Information and on campus.

All housing spaces in Olson Hall have been reserved for the College of Communication and Information Commons. However, due to space demands it is not always possible to guarantee every student living in Olson Hall will have a CCI-Commons roommate, though instances of this situation are rare.

The Honors program is located in Johnson Hall.

Yes, to live in Johnson and on the Honors floors in Stopher Hall, both you and your roommate must be Honors students. However, if you choose to live somewhere else of campus, you can still participate as an Honors student.

All housing spaces in Johnson Hall and two floors of Stopher Hall have been reserved for Honor students. However, due to space demands it is not always possible to guarantee every space reserved for Honors will be filled by an Honors student, though instances of this situation are rare.

FYE-FA is located in the Eastway Complex. These buildings include:

• Fletcher Hall
• Manchester Hall
• Allyn Hall
• Clark Hall

To become a part of FYE-FA, simply request to be placed in the First Year Experience-Faculty Associates in Section 7 of the housing application and choose from the halls listed as part of FYE-FA. The Department of Residence Services will try its best to accommodate all room requests, however we cannot guarantee your request will be filled.