Creating a New Living and Learning Community

Application for New Communities: 2008-2009 Academic Year

  Please click below to learn more about each topic.

Definition of a Living-Learning Community

Living-Learning Community Program Goals

Learning Objectives for Living-Learning Community Programs

Requirements for Living-Learning Programs

Expectations for students participating within a Living-Learning Community

Timeilne to Design Your Own Living-Learning Community Program

Living-Learning Communities Committee

Accountability Structure for Living-Learning Communities

Advisor's Role

Application for New Communities

Definition of Living-Learning Community

Each community consists of students in a residence hall community who share a commitment to a particular interest and has an advisor(s) who supports, guides, and participates in the LLC.  Living-Learning Communities can positively contributed to a student’s social integration, academic integration, peer learning, personal growth, and group skills.  As a residential student, you can develop a LLC and integrate that interest in your life in a fulfilling manner.  Living-Learning Community programs may or may not directly relate to your course of study. 

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Living-Learning Community Programs Goals

• Aim to enhance the overall educational experience.
• Foster learning through private and public reflection on the group’s theme- e.g. through floor discussion groups, through performances, or through informal interactions with faculty and staff members.
• Establish a sense of community and encourages each person’s commitment to support and respect the group and the program.
• Promoting the special program themes throughout the University community.  For example, the Global Living Community is dedicated to international and inter-cultural learning.  Members enhance life in the residence hall by organizing internationally focused programs for themselves and for the Georgetown community.
• Are congruent with Georgetown University’s Catholic and Jesuit identity and the educational mission as determined by the LLC Committee.

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Learning Objectives for Living-Learning Community Programs

The LLC Committee has developed a set of five learning objectives that are used as guidelines for reviewing and approving LLC proposals, criteria for approving or denying LLC renewal applications, and standards for assessing the overall achievement of the LLC communities.

• Students learn how to integrate and apply their interest and experiences.
• Students learn how to explore and define personal values and identity within a community context.
• Students learn how to sustain a dialogue within a community.
• Students learn how to create an inclusive, vibrant, and actively engaged community.
• Students learn how to take ownership and responsibility for themselves and their communities.

Living-Learning Community Programs Do Not

• Exist primarily as social organizations.
• Exclude members of the campus community.

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Requirements for Living-Learning Community Programs

• Coordinate a minimum of four programs per semester (1 per month), at least one that must be open to students outside of the LLC community.  We encourage communities to invite professors which connect to your community’s theme.
• Assist in the planning of one kick-off event at the fall semester for all LLCs.
• Participate and assist in the year-end celebration honoring and showcasing LLCs.
• Select a representative to serve on the Living-Learning Community Committee.

• Is congruent with Georgetown University’s Catholic and Jesuit identity and the educational mission of the University as determined by the LLC Committee.

• Work with an advisor and clarify expected responsibilities.
• Participate in assessments of the Living-Learning Community Program.
• Develop a program and/or theme that incorporate living and learning together.
• Students accepted to a community must have housing eligibility.

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Expectations for students participating in the Living-Learning Communities

• Students accepted to a community must have housing eligibility.
• Attending approximately three events per semester.
• Participate in the open and closing events.
• Participate in meeting facilitated by the RA and/or Program Coordinators and advisor(s).
• Participate in LLC assessments- approximately one each semester.

Please note that recommendations by the LLC Committee will be made to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  The Vice President has final approval.

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Design Your Own Living-Learning Community Program

The LLC Committee invites proposals for new Living-Learning Community programs.  Our committee can help answer questions you may have regarding the process.

Timeline for Living-Learning Community Proposals

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Living-Learning Community Committee

Below is the contact information for the members of the LLC Committee.  They can assist you with questions that may arise during the process.

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Accountability Structure of Living-Learning Community Programs

There are four bodies that will help LLC programs achieve their stated goals:

1.                    The Georgetown University faculty member, department, or advisor who is primarily responsible for providing support and direction for the LLC program.  The advisor should meet regularly with the entire group and the members of the group’s leadership to assist in planning programs and tracking the budget.  Advisors should be meeting with the RA and/or student coordinator twice a month to discuss program ideas, budgets, and troubleshoot concerns.  Additionally, advisor should meet monthly with the Hall Director.

2.                    Student Coordinator(s) plan programs, review membership applications, serve as a representative to the LLC Committee, and participate in assessment activities in conjunction with the program’s advisor.

3.                    Residence Life Staff Member(s)- The Resident Assistant and the Senior Staff members are responsible for creating a positive working relationship with the LLC group.  The Resident Assistant is responsible for developing and implementing programs that support the mission of the LLC while the Senior Staff member is responsible for working with the LLC group and Housing Services in the event that the LLC group is not meeting the requirements for acceptance.

4.                    The Living-Learning Community Committee reviews all proposals and renewal applications to determine the viability of the organization in terms of the purposes, criteria, and accountability structure of the LLC program.  The committee comprises faculty, staff, and students.

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Advisor’s Role

 Listed below are the helpful thoughts for the advisor.  We encourage Student Coordinators to work with the advisor to discuss expectations and additional ways that the advisor may be able to help the LLC.

1. Help create a vision and goal for the year.

Take an active part in formulating the goals of the group.

Assist in the assessment process.

Keep a summary of events and activities.

Keep the group aware of its stated objectives when planning events.

2. Assist in program planning.

Explain University policy and ways to access space on campus.

Request to see the treasurer’s books at the end of each semester.

3. Gain access to resources.

Be familiar with University facilities, services, and procedures, which affect group activities.

4. Provide leadership.

Speak up during discussion when the advisor has relevant information.

Allow the group to make mistakes when appropriate.

State what the advisor responsibilities are at the beginning of the year.

5. Help create partnerships.

Brainstorm with the group on other offices and departments that can help in the success of the program.

6. Assist in delegation, conflict management, and other group issues that may arise.
7. Take the initiative in crating teamwork and cooperation among the group.
8. Meet twice a monthly with the RA or student coordinator to discuss programs, budget, and concerns that may arise.
9. Meet once a month with the Hall Director to discuss the program.

 The LLC Committee requires that advisors include a brief statement indicating their support for this LLC program.

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Apply to Create a New Living-Learning Community

The application is available online and is due back to Stephanie Lynch no later than Tuesday, November 27th.

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