Santa Clara University

RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

The Residential Learning Communities were established to further the goal of fostering integrated education within a community of scholars. By creating a culture in which students connect their academic experiences with their social and residential ones, the learning communities enhance the education of the whole person and deepen the connection between learning and living as responsible members of a community.

All entering first-year students, whether or not they live on campus, become members of one of eight theme-based Residential Learning Communities. Nonresident first-year students are given access to the residence hall in which their learning community is located so that they can participate fully in its programs. Students take some courses in common with others in their learning community, which enriches coursework and promotes the formation of study groups. Students also interact directly with faculty and staff and participate in theme-based co-curricular and extracurricular activities both on and off campus. The Residential Learning Communities are primarily two-year communities, but some offer the opportunity for students to remain throughout their undergraduate careers.