Why Living/Learning Communities?
Residential Living/Learning Communities have been in place in higher education for decades. The main purpose behind them is to expand the learning experience for college students beyond the classroom.
These communities can be structured using a variety of approaches that are all intended to complete the students' college experiences by providing them with a supportive learning environment, community development programs, educational programs, and stronger relationships with faculty and staff. Some communities are linked with a specific class, while some are more them based.
Within these communities, students have the opportunity to live and learn in a seamless environment surrounding a specific theme or topic. Students in residential living/learning communities are assigned to the same residence halls; and in some communities mentored by upper-class peers who also reside in the same location; and are immersed in programs, activities, and sometimes University courses taught on-site related to the theme of the community.
Learning Communities At-A-Glance
New Century College
New Century College offers two living/learning communities - one for first-year students and another for upper-class students majoring in Integrative Studies. In this living environment, you will create your community through collaborative learning and support from peers and faculty. Programs, such as colloquia, film viewings, and discussion activities related to course work, accompany the academic focus of these floors. There will also be joint activities for all students in the LLCs, which allow opportunities for leadership and mentoring.
Honors College
The Honors College provides academically talented students in all majors with an enriched academic and social environment that enhances their college experience. Through participation in unique, innovative, and challenging programs, students develop their full potential to lead and be active members of their local, national, and global communities. The Honors College offers two Living and Learning Communities, one for first-year students and another for upper-class students in the best housing offered on campus.
University 100
The University 100 Freshman Transition Living and Learning Community is an exciting opportunity for freshmen to find a smaller home within the larger Mason community. This Living and Learning Community allows students to be connected to a moderately sized group of students all enrolled in a common course, University 100, as well as to a smaller subset of students interested in a particular theme or academic discipline. The University 100 Freshman Transition Living and Learning Community will be housed in Carroll Hall, Dickenson Hall, and Essex Hall located in the University Commons.
While University 100 will be the common element, there will be ten sections, each with a particular emphasis or focus. The following are the available sections of the University 100 Freshmen Transition Living and Learning Community:
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Program |
Description |
Qualifications |
Courses |
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The AVT section will give students a chance to develop friendships, build networks of support, and participate in fun and enriching activities outside of their art. The AVT floor will support a strong sense of community and encourage academic and social development, but would also provide a much-needed diversion for the AVT students. |
Open to incoming freshmen students who are declared or intend to declare AVT as their major. |
University 100 and AVT 100 New Majors Colloquium are required. Each course is for 1 credit. |
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B.R.I.D.G.E.S. |
BRIDGES is for students interested in exploration, awareness, development, and study of all sexual orientations and gender identities as they are developed socially, academically, and personally. |
Open to incoming freshman or upper-class students |
Freshman: University 100 (required) |
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Healthy Living offers extended quiet hours on the floor while also helping floor participants gain awareness of their own study habits, learning styles, and strategies for test taking. |
Open to incoming freshmen |
University 100: Healthy Living section (required) |
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The IT & Engineering section will give students a chance to develop friendships, receive support from students and staff to cope with the academic demands of this major. |
Open to incoming freshmen students in the Volgenau School of Information Technology & Engineering |
University 100 and a special section of ENGL 101 focused on topics of interest to Vogenau School students (both required) |
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This section will provide a pathway for students who might not be aware that there is a Latin American Studies minor at Mason and help get interested students connected to this academic opportunity. |
Open to incoming freshmen |
Fall semester: University 100 (required) |
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This section is for students that are undeclared/undecided. It will assist these students in transitioning to Mason and choosing a major. |
Open to incoming freshmen students that are undeclared/undecided |
University 100 for the Fall semester (required) |
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The School of Management section is a selective program intended to assist first year pre-business students with their transition to college. Students who plan to live on Mason's campus freshman year and who are interested in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing or Information Systems and Operations Management as a major are invited to apply. |
Open to pre-business freshmen who are interested in living and learning in a community that has a shared interest in the field of business |
University 100 (required) |
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Participants will live and take classes with other students interested in sustainability, there will be numerous opportunities for students to engage in discussions about this issue, initiate projects both in their own living environment and the environment around them, engage with faculty and staff doing work in this area, and live in a manner consistent with sustainable practices. |
Open to incoming freshmen students that are interested in "Green" issues. |
Fall semester: University 100 (required) |
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Participants will have the opportunity to live in a warm and inviting community that will allow participants to fully explore teaching as a career path. Activities will include discussions about the issues related to teaching and engage with faculty and staff working in this field. |
Open to incoming freshmen students that are pursuing a career as a teacher. |
Fall semester: University 100 (required) |
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This section is for students interested in developing their core competencies in writing as well as honing advanced skills in specialized writing abilities. |
Open to incoming freshmen. |
University 100 and English 101 course in composition (required) |
Living and Learning
Communities
