Updated
June 13, 2006
Overview
At Miami University, we have put a lot of thought and resources into the development of our Living Learning Communities. We have researched many different types of communities and realize the benefit of offering a variety of choices for students as they enter the University and continue their residential experience at Miami.
Currently, Miami offers 15 theme-based living learning communities, which center on interests such as the arts, leadership, technology, and cultural perspectives, to name a few. In 2004-2005, 63% of first-year students are in a theme LLC ; 75% of first-year students selected a theme LLC as first choice. There are a total of 43 sections of 11 theme-related courses (781 seats), most of which are discussion-based (enrollment capped at 23 students or less) and held in the residence hall. There are 32 English Composition sections offered in living learning communities, benefiting a total of approximately 700 students. Students and faculty find that courses taught in the residence halls offer something that traditional classes in academic buildings can’t—cohorts of students who debate and discuss content in their own “home” (over meals and late at night in the corridors and common areas), sometimes leading to informal mentoring and tutoring.
Over 70 faculty, staff, and graduate students from a variety of disciplines and divisions coordinate and teach these classes, sometimes in addition to their usual job responsibilities. Over 100 faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students serve on Living Learning Community Advisory Councils to orchestrate and implement curricular and co-curricular efforts. The reason so many faculty, staff, and students participate in these programs is that the outcomes are so real and powerful for all involved—for students (aiding in the transition to college, introducing them to faculty and peer support), for faculty (providing a professional development opportunity, helping them understand current student issues), and for the institution (promoting success with students’ transition and retention, providing a forum for intellectual exchange between students and faculty). Indeed, this program’s success lies in the collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs. U.S. News & World Report, in the 2005 edition of “ America’s Best Colleges” remarked that our Living Learning Community model is a “stellar” academic example.
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Mission
The mission of Living Learning Communities at Miami University is to create and extend student learning opportunities outside of the classroom that heighten student intellectual and personal growth. Living Learning Communities are purposeful attempts to integrate curricular and co-curricular experiences that complement and extend classroom learning. These communities foster faculty and resident interaction that enhances both intellectual and personal growth of the residents. Some communities are built around a specific field of study or area of interest.
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History
1929 — Live-in faculty begin to conduct academic advising in the residence halls
1974 — The Western College Program was established
1983 — The beginning of Focused Learning Communities (FLC), precursor to Theme Learning Communities, in conjunction with the Honors Department
1983 — The Honors Program was established (a precursor to the Honors and Scholars Program)
1983-1992 — International Living Learning Center and Health Enhancement & Lifestyle Management Programs were established
1993 — German Language Floor, Residential Service Learning, Academic Excellence Floor (precursor to the Scholastic Enhancement Program), Fine Arts Interest Floor (precursor to the Celebrate the Arts Program), Cooperative Living/Learning Center (no longer in existence), and the Business Floor (no longer in existence), were all established
1995 — Women in Math, Science, & Engineering was established
1996 — Scholar Leader Program and Leadership, Excellence, & Community were established
1996 — Scholastic Enhancement Program was established in conjunction with the Office of Learning Assistance (now the Learning Center), and began using a live-in staff coordinator
1997 — Addition of a Coordinator of Theme Learning Communities
1997 — Mosaic: Individuality and Diversity was established in conjunction with the College of Arts and Science
1997 — Started to see a shift within the Office of Residence Life & New Student Programs to Theme Learning Communities, with the involvement of the TLC Task Force, consisting of Dr. Richard Nault, Dean of Students; Dr. Todd Holcomb, Director of Residence Life and New Student Programs; and Dr. Myrtis Powell, Vice President for Student Affairs
1998 — Celebrate the Arts was established in conjunction with the School of Fine Arts
1998 — Official name changed from Focused Learning Communities to Theme Learning Communities
1999 — Courses in Common was established (first known as Federated Learning Community)
2000 — Decision made to continue to increase the number of communities and to implement communities campus-wide, by considering all halls Living Learning Communities
2000 — Students use web to register for TLC Courses
2000 — A second task force made up of faculty and staff from academic and student affairs determined that all Living Learning Communities would be quality driven rather than quantity driven
2001 — Record 53% of first-year students and 12% of upperclass students chose to participate in Theme Learning Communities
2001 — Addition of one Theme Learning Community Program Coordinator
2001 — Addition of the French Language Floors
2003 — Addition of the Environmental Awareness Program and the Technology and Society Program
2004 — Addition of the Chinese Language Floors
2006 — Addition of Spanish Language Floors
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are living learning communities?
Living learning communities are purposeful attempts to integrate curricular and co-curricular experiences that complement and extend classroom learning. These communities foster faculty and resident interaction that enhances both intellectual and personal growth of the residents. In addition, we offer theme learning communities where each community is built around a specific field of study or area of interest and is structured so students have a high degree of involvement in its formation.
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2. What are the advantages of living in a living learning community?
Studies have shown that students who live in living learning communities are more involved in programs on and off campus and perform better academically than students who do not live in living learning communities. Living learning communities provide students the opportunity to engage one-on-one with faculty and staff and create a supportive environment that involves new students in the life of their institution. Additionally, students in living learning communities find opportunities to make lifelong friends. Increased student retention is another advantage of living in a living learning community.
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3. When and where can I sign up for a living learning community?
Once admitted to the University, you will receive a packet with information from the Office of Admissions containing a brochure detailing the living learning communities, dining options, and a housing contract. On the housing contract, you will select your top two choices of living learning communities. Please explore your choices, and remember that we do place 98-99% of students in one of their two choices.
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4. Do I have to choose a living learning community; do I have to preference two living learning communities?
Since Miami considers all residence halls living learning communities, students are required to pick a living learning community on their housing contract. Students who only pick one community as their preference have fewer chances to be placed in their preferred community.
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5. Are there any living learning communities that do not have a theme?
Miami considers all residence halls to be living learning communities since we strive to create environments in our halls that support learning. Student Created Programming communities do not have a specific theme and are designed for students to create their own programs along with the live-in hall staff. The Student Created Programming communities often create a variety of programs to meet the social, cultural, and educational needs of the students.
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6. How do I know which living learning community suits me best?
In order to find out which community suits you best, you are encouraged to think about what you did in high school, your interests, your involvements, and your goals. You should reflect on what you want to achieve by living in a particular community. For example, if you were very involved with your high school arts program and want to continue enjoying and participating in the arts, but do not want to major in arts, the Celebrate the Arts community would be a good choice. Also, please see the living learning communities section of the Office of Residence Life and New Student Programs website for more information on the individual living learning communities.
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7. Can I pick a specific building in which to live?
No. Since liveing learning communities are placed in buildings based on student demand, changes in location of each living learning community can occur from year to year. It is most important that students select their first and second choices of living learning community based on theme interest so that they can have the best possible experience.
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8. When will I find out which living learning community I am in?
You will be notified of which living learning community you will live in during the summer Orientation and Registration Program. Specific hall assignments and locations are not available until late July. The Office of Housing and Meal Plan Services will mail your information.
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9. What if I am not placed in one of the living learning communities that I selected?
We are 98 to 99% successful in placing students in one of the living learning communities that they selected. However, you may request a change of communities, but this is based on availability. (Contact the Office of Housing and Meal Plans Services in 111 Shriver Center at 513-529-5000 or housingandmeals@muohio.edu to change communities.)
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10. What if I do not like the living learning community I live in and want to change it?
In general, the majority of students are very pleased with their community. If there happens to be circumstances that make you want to move out of your community, you have the opportunity to do so on a limited basis. Prior to your arrival on campus, you can contact the Office of Housing and Meal Plan Services in 111 Shriver Center (513-529-5000, housingandmeals@muohio.edu) to request the change. It is best to make requests in writing, via email. After arriving on campus you should contact your First Year Adviser or Resident Director (who resides in your residence hall). Keep in mind that room changes are made on availability, and that we do not change rooms during the first two weeks of fall semester.
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11. Do I have to take the course for my living learning community?
Yes, if the course is required. Some programs, however, offer courses on an optional basis. The University strongly encourages every student to take the optional courses as well. Not only does participation in class create a strong sense of community in the hall but students feel connected to the larger Miami community; the in-hall classes help create lasting associations with University faculty and staff. Since students select their living learning communities based on their own personal interests, they often find their course to be a much-appreciated extension to their interest.
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12. Are there requirements for living learning communities other than the courses?
Except for the classes, there are no other requirements for a living learning community. However, the University strongly encourages you to be active in the programs in order to achieve the best possible experience in your community.
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13. Do I need a background in the languages for the language communities?
It is recommended that you have some background in the language, as many of the activities require knowledge of the language. Students who do not have any background in the language should have a strong interest in the program and are encouraged to take classes in the language.
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14. Can I live in the same living learning community twice?
It varies from community to community whether you have the opportunity to live in the community more than once. In a few cases, the living learning communities are only designed for first-year students and, therefore, are not available for upperclass students. However, in many cases there are upperclass programs that complement the first-year programs. The housing office sends out information regarding housing for the following year in spring for first-year students and in fall for upperclass students.
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15. Who can I contact in case I have further questions about living learning communities?
Prior to the academic year, you can contact the Office of Residence Life in 227 Warfield Hall (513-529-4000). During the academic year, your First Year Adviser or the Resident Director would be your first contact to answer questions about the programs and living learning communities.
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16. How do I register for living learning community courses?
During Summer Orientation, you will receive information on the courses associated with your living learning community. While on campus for Orientation and Registration, you will register for the living learning community course(s).
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