WEST
HAVEN–Living on campus can be one of the more terrifying experiences for
college freshmen. Add on nerves about new classes, meeting new people, and
managing time, and freshman can become easily overwhelmed. To ease some of this
pressure, the
of
majors the opportunity to live together all on one floor. Hosting a total of
four Living and Learning Communities, students have the opportunity to dorm
with students who have the same classes, the same course load, and the same
academic interests.
Located in both New Hall and Botwinik Hall, the Living and Learning
Communities, or LLC’s, provide extra benefits to students who chose to apply
for these dorms. Forensic Science, Business, and Engineering are housed in Botwinik,
occupying two floors, while the Music LLC is located in New Hall. Not only are
the residents all majoring in the same area, but the Resident Assistants are as
well. By having a RA who has already experienced freshman year in a particular
area of study, students’ questions are answered by someone who knows firsthand.
Additionally,
tutors are provided for the students at certain hours of the day to help out in
various subjects that could be giving students difficulty, such as Chemistry,
Pre-Calculus, or even Calculus II. Professors from the different majors also
come to the LLC’s and hold discussions and advisor meetings to help the
students. Trips and special events such as discussions or guest speakers are
planned for the different LLC’s during the year. These events are tied to the
students particular majors and are designed to spark their interests in topics
close to their areas of study.
Moving
in two days before the rest of the undergraduate students, the LLC participants
had extra time to settle in and avoid the move-in rush that occurred on the
official move-in day. There were various activities planned for the LLC’s
official orientation such as scavenger hunts, trips to downtown
LLC BBQ and various other bonding activities.
Within weeks of living together, the participants in the LLC program already
have study groups and friendships formed. Confusion about assignments is put at
ease because roommates also share classes. Also, the connections that are
formed between the residents and the professors have proved to be greater than
the basic in-class relationship.
With so
many resources available, the LLC’s should be something every incoming freshman
should consider when applying if an LLC is available for their major. Any
interested student should submit an application once accepted into the university,
with an essay explaining why they would like to participate in the program. Decisions
are mailed out in mid-July.
