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 it is natural for students to 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 freshmen become a member of one of nine theme-based Residential Learning Communities, whether or not they live on campus. Non-resident freshman 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 natural study groups. Students also interact more 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 several offer the opportunity for students to remain throughout their undergraduate careers.