Residential Learning Communities
Since the fall of 2004, on-campus students have been able to participate in an exciting program that is designed to meet their academic, developmental and social needs. Residential Learning Communities are places and spaces where students begin to explore the relationship between academic achievement and residential living. Here they will learn about themselves and one another as they explore relationships and shared experiences inside and outside the classroom. The intentional focus of the residential learning community program is providing students with programming opportunities that coincide and compliment what they are studying in the classroom. This makes living in a Residential Learning Community unique from living in other communities on-campus.
Honors Community
- John Ballantyne for first year and Carter House for continuing students
- Designed for students in the Honors program
- Focus on developing a challenging education living and learning environment
- Provides easy access to faculty in the residential setting
- Added social and academic support through Honors Peers
- Structured programs and activities are organized to coincide with classroom learning
- Assignment to the Honors community is restricted to those joining the Honors Program, which is by invitation
First-Year Residential Living Community (RLC)
- Southwest, Ritter, Eiselen, and Wemyss
- This learning community is designed with the first-year student in mind
- Students in the community are assigned to common Pacific Seminar sections so the same cohort of students can live and learn together
- Study groups, focus seminars, etc. are held to coincide with what students learn in the classroom
- Residential Student advisors living with students offer academic support and guidance
Pacific Inter-American Community (PIAC)
- Casa Jackson
- Designated for Freshmen and Sophomore students interested in the Spanish-speaking cultures of the U.S. and Latin America.
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Students will be able to participate in field trips, movies, and lectures that promote the history, culture, and languages of the Americas.
Engineering & Computer Science Learning Community
- Southwest Hall, 1st Floor
- Located immediately adjacent to the School of Engineering and Computer Science building - including the engineering and computer science free drop-in tutoring
- Right next to the 24-hours Engineering & Computer Science open labs
- Best of all, you will be surrounded by other Engineering/Computer Science students taking many of the same classes as you
- Located within the Freshmen Leaning Community building that is co-ed. This allows you to take Pacific Seminar with other 1st year students
- What are the Benefits of Residential Learning Communities
Studies done throughout higher education institutions and publications consistently show that when compared to their peers, students who live in Residential Learning Communities benefit from the following:
• Become more familiar with campus resources, offices, and services
• Often meet friends sooner and become more comfortable within the community
• Adjusting more quickly to the college environment in their transition from high school
• Generally allows for more interaction opportunities with staff and faculty on campus
• Better prepared academically (more readily participates in study/work/discussion groups)
• Opportunities for deeper learning and engagement in and outside of classes.
- Residence for Earth and Environmental Living and Learning (REELL)Community
The REELL residential learning community, located in McConchie Hall, brings together students who wish to focus on living a balanced lifestyle with the environment. Students who are part of the REELL community will be involved in opportunities centering in Earth and Environmental Sciences, including the issues of global environmental change, reducing carbon footprints, encouraging responsible oversight of natural resources, and promoting sustainable rural and urban environments. Activities include field trips, movies, campus and community outreach, exchanges with other college campuses, and service projects designed to "green" Pacific. Past projects include reducing disposable water bottle use on campus and eliminating plastic bags in campus stores and dining areas. Students may enroll in a one-unit course (GEOS 20) to earn credit for their participation. This program works closely with the Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty and participates in the annual M.O.V.E. Yosemite National Park trip.
- First Year Residential Learning Community
The First Year Residential Learning Communities, located in Southwest, Ritter, Eiselen, and Wemyss residence halls, are designed with the transition needs of a first year student in mind. Students who are in the residential learning communities are also assigned to the same Pacific Seminar 1 section (s) thus permitting the same cohort of students to live and learn together. With this intentional aim in mind, students have outcomes based programming opportunities that coincide and compliment what they were learning in the classroom (i.e. study groups, workshops, etc.). In addition, Residential Student Advisors live in the learning community and offer academic support and guidance to the first year students. These services include sessions on time management, preparing for tests, assistance with choosing a major, course, navigating general education requirements, or academic regulations, or personal adjustment in general.
The Student Advisors in Residence are:
Wemyss - Caroline Dozsa
Eiselen - Bowen Au Young
Ritter - Hansel Poerwanto
Southwest - Ceci Chalasani, Carolina Aguirre, and Michael Williamson
- Inter-American Residential Learning Community
The Inter-American Learning Community, located in Casa Jackson, are designed to focus on improving intercultural knowledge, Spanish language skills, history, and culture of the Americas. Residents in the community pledge to use Spanish within the residence hall, at special programs, and when possible, in their coursework.
- First Year Honors Learning Community
The First Year Honors Residential Learning Community, located in John Ballantyne Hall and Carter House, brings students from the Honors Program together in a residential setting to challenge and support their growth and transition to the Honors learning environment. This is done by providing Honors students easy access to faculty in the residential setting, additional social and academic support through the Honors Peers, and structured programs and activities that coincide with what is learned in the classroom. Moreover, the honors community offers a wide array of extracurricular events and service opportunities, and boasts one of the highest participation rates in intramural sports.
- Interfaith & Social Justice Residential Learning Community
The Interfaith & Social Justice Residential Learning Community, located on the first floor of Grace Covell Hall, brings students from different faiths (including students with no faith background) together to address peace and justice issues. These students will work to support one another in exploring and living out their core values and commitments. Students entering this community will be in the same Pacific Seminar 1 course, will work together to plan service projects and interfaith activities, and will serve as caretakers of the Interfaith Meditation Garden. Residents will join members of the Interfaith Council & the Social Justice Community to raise awareness on campus of the issues that matter most to you and to bring forth the variety of faith traditions of Pacific students.
- How can I (my student) Sign Up to be in a Residential Learning Community?
Simply indicate on the Student Housing Contract online or on the Student Assignment Request form (paper) that you would like to live in a Residential Learning Community.