The living-learning communities (LLC) on the Missouri State University campus are designed to ease students’ transition to college; to familiarize students with the campus and its resources; to provide more faculty and staff contact; to promote active learning; and to enhance critical thinking skills. Students will participate in social activities throughout the year to help them connect with other students within the community.
Goals of the living-learning communities
- Provide students with significant interaction with faculty members outside of the classroom
- Engage students in academic opportunities that contribute to their future endeavors
- Expose students to strategies to assist them in reaching their academic potential
- Challenge students to reflect on their academic performance and implement appropriate strategies for improvement
- Create an awareness of academic resources and provide students with the means of utilizing these services
Students in the living-learning communities will:
- Move in a day before other students arrive
- Attend a kick-off banquet where they will meet faculty members and administrators assisting with the program (dress is business casual)
- Interact with faculty members on a regular basis
- Participate in activities to strengthen academics
- Have opportunities to participate in social, cultural and civic activities
Floor environment
Each LLC floor has a specially trained student staff, including a resident assistant (RA) and a residential programming assistant (RPA), to facilitate social and academic activities for the residents. The RPAs and RAs work closely with faculty to ensure a well-rounded approach to education.
Each floor will have at least two faculty members assigned as faculty fellows. The faculty fellows will assist in academic programming as well as interact with the students during social events. Our faculty fellows are drawn from a variety of academic disciplines and are committed to building community by learning together.
Floor activities
In addition to the activities planned on the other floors in each residence hall, these students will be introduced to monthly topics related to academics and personal development (e.g., managing finances). Students who gain knowledge of these topics and practice them in their daily lives will be more successful during their time at the University and in life after college.
Example of monthly topics for freshman LLC floors:
- Campus resources
- Study skills, time management and handling college freedom
- Personal health and safety
- Registering for classes
- Communication and dealing with conflict
- Preparing for finals
- Scholarships, budgeting and credit cards
- Exploration of cultures and diversity
- Spring break safety
- Major and career exploration
- Planning for summer and fall semesters
- Public affairs
- Physical and emotional wellness
- Volunteering
Student incentives
Residents who choose to participate in a LLC will avoid the crowds by moving in on Thursday, a day before the halls officially open. They will quickly get to know other students at our kick-off event the following Friday night.
Additionally, LLC residents will reapply for housing before other students. Students who participate in educational and social activities throughout the semester will receive points for attendance which will be compiled for special drawings. Also, students currently in a freshman experience LLC are exclusively invited to continue on to the Sophomore Experience LLC the following academic year.
Commitment statement
The living-learning community is an academic program – one that expects and helps students to become scholars. It is a residential program – one that expects and helps students to become reflective and respectful members of a community. With this in mind, we expect each living-learning participant to sign a commitment statement at the opening banquet. The commitment statement may be modified for the next year; however, these are the basic guidelines we have set forth for living-learning students. Please review this commitment statement and let us know if you have any questions.
Review the commitment statement
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