Students, there are so many reasons why you should live on campus. Not only does it put you closer to your classes and activities, but you have a community waiting just past your door. Good news! The 2021 summer and 2021-22 housing applications are now open. So, join a community that will support your transformation to becoming the newest version of you, you want to become.

College is the place where you can reinvent yourselves or refine who you really are. It’s that goal of transformation that makes a Living Learning (LLC) or Theme Community (TC) at the U’s Housing & Residential Education, the ideal place to live. LLCs and TCs connect residents with others that share similar extracurricular interests or those who are studying the same things. Residents of these communities form stronger relationships with a campus department or college and build a sense of purpose in their academic careers.

Don’t just take our word for it.

Meet Grace, a resident of Lassonde Studios living on the Outdoor Adventure & Gear floor. We asked her a few questions about what it is like to live in a Theme Community and why she thinks it’s important for your college experience.

Grace, the U has nearly 20 LLC and TCs across campus. What living community did you choose to live in?

During my first year, I found it difficult to meet people outside of my major, Modern Dance. So, for my second year I wanted to put myself somewhere inherently social where making new friends could be a bit easier. I chose the Outdoor Adventure floor at Lassonde Studios. It fit my interests and just sounded cool.

How would you describe your Theme Community to your family and friends back home?

I would tell them that my community shares the same range of passions, like spending time outdoors. And there are Learning Communities that group students together who might be in the same college or major. They benefit from one another by also learning together. I saw that many of my fellow students were thriving because they knew they had people around to help with their studies.

What was your experience like? Did you find the friends you were looking for?

Yes! I initially expected to simply have people around me that I could spend time and bond with. What I didn’t expect was just how close we all would become. We quickly developed a sense of family that has kept us close, even in a school year where we have to keep our distance.

Has it always been a smooth living experience?

I mean, everyone has off days and feelings can get hurt when you live in a close-knit community. But I can say that we all learned how to better communicate with each other and handle difficult conversations. And we always had the support of resident advisors (RAs) and campus partners throughout the year.

Would you live in an LLC or TC again?

Yes, because everyone wants to feel socially supported! And I know that I’ll have a great experience, even if I live in one until I finish grad school.

All across campus, residents like Grace are having transformative experiences, building relationships closer than they ever imagined and finding their place. LLCs and TCs can be found in communities across campus, from Sage Point to Kahlert Village and everywhere in between.

We encourage you to learn more about our nearly 20 LLCs and TCs and apply by the priority deadline, March 10. To view housing options, floor plans and more, visit our Housing & Residential Education website.

How to Apply:

1. Log into CIS
2. Under the" Student" section, select "Student Homepage"
3. Click on the “Student Housing” tile
4. Select “Housing & Residential Education” from the left-hand menu, then click “Housing U”
5. Click on the "Apply for Housing" tab
6. Select the term you are applying for
7. Apply!