There’s nothing like shared bathrooms, broken elevators and floor activities to bring a group of people together. For the 560 students in the living-learning communities this year, they enter their dorms knowing they will have more in common with their neighbors than a UNC education.
The 12 living-learning communities on campus range from The Language Houses to Men at Carolina. Each community shares a philosophy based on the three “C’s”—the common goal of students to build connection, commitment and citizenship.
Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in educational seminars, service projects and social relationships relating to an area of interest, whether it is sustainability, substance-free housing or UNITAS.
“We give students an opportunity to explore a passion outside of their major,” said Annice Fisher, coordinator for learning and leadership for Housing and Residential Education. “It doesn’t matter what you came to study.”
Fisher said living-learning communities are meant to be a gateway for students to get involved on campus. The communities typically include a weekly or biweekly seminar on the topic of the community, along with social activities and service.
To apply to a community, simply submit a UNC Housing application and answer three specific questions. Special emphasis is put on creating a group with different backgrounds and beliefs.
Students join living-learning communities for a variety of reasons, Fisher said. Many in the Spanish and Chinese houses are often seeking fluency in the language. For those interested in the study abroad programs, language houses provide an immersion program right on campus.
In the R.E.L.I.C. community, students from a variety of religious backgrounds gather to learn more about other perspectives. The communities are designed to bring a diverse group of students together.
“We’re not saying we’re the experts in sustainability, but we’ll bring a level of knowledge and you bring a level of knowledge,” Fisher said.
