Residential Learning Community Basics


Benefits:

  • Students who choose to live in a community like an RLC are often predisposed to be successful.
  • Students living in a learning community graduate sooner, have higher GPAs and create a better connection with the university.

General Information:

Academic Themed Communities:

  • Biology: For students who are biology majors and are interested in developing relationships with faculty or staff in this area.  They may have the opportunity to help with research, meet faculty outside the classroom, and will have access to tutoring.  Students living in this community will also be co-enrolled in BIO 110.

  • Business: For students who are declared as business or exploring business.  Students will live with students who want to explore a variety of business experiences, develop connections with student clubs for business majors, and form relationships with faculty outside of the classroom.  Students in this community will be co-enrolled in BA 150.

  • Cumbres: For students participating in the Cumbres program, which allows students exploring education with an ESL endorsement special access to advising and other support services.  Students must be enrolled in the Cumbres program to participate.  Students are co-enrolled in multiple courses that are determined on a semester-by-semester basis.

  • Elementary Education: For students with the major of ISET/Elementary Education that want to form connections with other future teachers.  Students living in this community will be co-enrolled in EDEL 198, MATH 181, and a GEOG 110/100 Course.  These future teachers will have the chance to form study groups and volunteer in the community all while having special access to elementary education professors and advisors.

  • Honors, Scholars and Leaders: This community provides students who are in the Presidential Leadership Program or the Honors Program to live together in a small tight-knit community.  Students in this community will be co-enrolled in HON 100 and have a great connection to honors faculty members all across campus.

  • Pre-Nursing: For students who are declared pre-nursing majors that want to live in a cooperative learning environment.  Students will be co-enrolled in BIO 110, which will give them the opportunity to form study groups.  Students will have opportunities to volunteer in the community and form closer relationship with nursing advisors.

  • Sustainability: This hybrid interest and academic community allows for students to develop their interest in environmental sustainability.  This community is focused on developing a high quality experience for all students while keeping the environment in mind.  Students are enrolled together in ENST 100, which allows them to explore the academic focus of their interest.

  • Performing & Visual Arts: This community has no formal co-enrollment, but students often share similar course schedules.  Students explore the arts in many different ways, and find their fellow students frequently in support of their artistic adventures.

Interest-Based Communities:

  • Spectrum Community: This community is focused on creating safe space for students who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, Queer, Questioning as well as their allies.  This safe zone is a supportive community that has been described as “living inside a hug”.

  • Ubuntu Community: Is a community focused on international living and exploring their college experience with a global lens.  Students will have the opportunity to live with domestic and international students interested in studying abroad.  Students explore culture through food exchanges, and create connections that last a lifetime.
  • Common Ground Community: This community allows students to explore faith, religion, spirituality and reason as they navigate their search for meaning on campus.  This community promotes intergroup dialogue that allows students to explore their identity and difference in a supportive environment.

  • Leadership: This community allows students who want to be campus leaders to develop their skills to support fellow students.  Students who want to be involved in student government, clubs and organizations, or even intramurals will find support in their interest areas – and more!

  • Transfer Student Community: This community will focus on transfer students connecting with each other.  Students will be able to get connected quickly with campus resources, develop networking skills, and easily seek assistance in major selection or other career advice.
  • Women's Community: This community reserved for all women allows students to form a support network and explore women’s issues.  Students form study groups, create long-lasting relationships, and find support by partnering with the Women’s Resource Center.


Where They Are:

  • We never know until the spring before the next academic year (for the most part).  Some communities are not likely to change (Wiebking will generally house PVA, for example), but quoting a location may not be a good idea.
  • In campus publications (including the websites) for the most part, we do not quote locations.
  • We choose their locations based on occupancy management needs and number of students interested.


How They Are Assigned:

  • Students indicate their interest in a community on their housing contract and are automatically assigned to that community.
  • If the community has co-enrollment, they are automatically registered for those courses.
  • If they find out about the community after the contract is submitted they should email housing@unco.edu if they’re interested to see if there is space.  Assignments are made on a first-come first-served basis.


Questions?

Email whitney.newman@unco.edu or call 970-351-3641.