West Chester University Living Learning & Theme Communities

Living Learning
& Themed Communities

West Chester University offers Living Learning Communities and Themed Communities exclusively for incoming first year and transfer students.  Housed in WCU Managed resident halls, Living Learning Communities and Themed Communities allow students with a shared academic or personal interest to live on the same floor in the same residence hall.  

By living in these communities, you’ll be surrounded by other Golden Rams who share your interests, making it easier to take what you learn in classes, co-curricular, or life and connect it to your future career putting you on the fast track to success. 

How to apply for an Living Learning Community or Themed Community: 

Apply for WCU Managed Housing

  • The First Year and Transfer Student Housing Application opens on March 27, 2024 

Apply to the LLC/Themed Community

  • Each LLC has a unique application process and eligibility requirements. Specific instructions for applying are listed below 

Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

A Living Learning Community (LLC) is a residential housing option within a college or university where students with shared academic or personal interests live together. These communities integrate living and learning experiences, fostering a supportive environment that enhances academic success and personal growth. Through themed programming, shared courses, and collaborative activities, residents in Living Learning Communities engage in a unique, immersive educational experience within the comfort of their living space. This intentional community design encourages deeper connections between students, faculty, and staff, creating a holistic and enriching college experience. To participate and continue to live in the community students are required to actively participate based on the LLC application and agreement. 

Students who participate in LLCS are more likely to succeed academically and socially and have a higher graduation rate than students who choose not to participate. 

Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership

Description 

Become an engaged leader in a world facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities through West Chester University’s Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership Living Learning Community (LLC). As a participant, you’ll live in a wing of Goshen Hall where you’ll investigate what it means to live sustainably. You and your fellow LLCers will participate in activities designed to enact a vision of the future characterized by high quality of life and wellbeing for all; meeting the needs of present and future generations; justice and equity; and living within ecosystem limits.  

In partnership with WCU’s Office of Sustainability and its Sustainability Peer Educators, members of the Living Learning Community will participate in professional development as well as applied campus and local sustainability projects that lead to meaningful change. Field trips and tours, events, creative activities, hands-on work, food tastings, research talks, and many other possibilities may be part of this unique living arrangement.  

Location 

Goshen Hall, 4th Floor 
WCU Managed Housing 

Eligibility 

  • The Sustainability and Social Justice Living and Learning Community is open to all students in all majors who are interested in developing sustainability and social justice leadership skills in their personal, academic, civic, and professional lives.   
  • This is a brand-new LLC, which means selected students will have the opportunity to shape sustainability living and learning at WCU, both for themselves and future participants. 

Application 

 

Chemistry

Description 

The Chemistry Living Learning Community is geared towards promoting an inclusive community and academic support for students within the WCU Chemistry Department. Through participation in this program, you will develop formative friendships and relationships with your peers and professors that will help the Chemistry department feel at home. In addition, you’ll have opportunities for science outreach to the greater Philadelphia community through unique on- and off-campus events. Highlights of the community include: a student-led leadership board that will help shape the CLLC alongside Chemistry Faculty; academic study support from your peers and upper-level students; off-campus fieldtrips to industry labs, museums, and team-building activities; swag bag and welcome bbq when you move into the LLC; and participation in science outreach events that engage the greater Wester Chester community.  

Location 

Killinger Hall, 3rd Floor 
WCU Managed Housing 

Eligibility 

  • The Chemistry community is open to students who have an academic major or minor in Chemistry.  
  • This is a new LLC, which means selected students can help shape the community and promote its longevity.  

Application 

 

Psychology Living Learning Community for Incoming First-Year Students 

Description 

When starting WCU, new Psychology students take many of their first semester courses together – as part of our Psychology Learning community. Psychology students can also expand this opportunity to include a living community.  

 The Psychology Department Living Learning Community gives incoming first year students the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with other psychology majors and have access to resources to help increase a sense of academic and social belonging during the transition to college. These resources will include social events, information sessions and mentoring coordinated by psychology peer mentors and faculty throughout the academic year. 

Location 

Tyson Hall, 4th Floor 
WCU Managed Housing 

Eligibility 

  • Any student with a Psychology major or minor. 

Application 

 

Honors Living Learning Community 

Description 

The Honors College is a community of students and faculty who share a commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. By engaging deeply with the big questions facing our world today, we prepare students to be leaders in their communities and to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

At the heart of the Honors College is a customized curriculum that counts toward the general education requirements for graduation. Our Honors classes are not about writing longer papers or spending more time in the library. Instead, they are about meaningful conversations between many different perspectives on the issues that matter most. Honors classes provide both the challenge and support to help you reach your full potential. It is no surprise that our Honors graduates routinely attend outstanding job placement upon graduation, as well as acceptances to top medical, law, and graduate programs. 

The Honors College floor has a dedicated music room, computer lab and lounge.  Honors College students participate in roommate matching and room self-selection with their cohort of students.  

Location 

Allegheny Hall, 7th Floor 
USH-Affiliated Housing 

Eligibility 

  • Students that are accepted into the Honors program will have the possibility of living in this community.  

 

Themed Communities 

Themed communities in residence life are organized around a specific theme or common interest. These communities are designed to create a more immersive and focused living experience for students who share a particular passion, interest, or lifestyle. Themed communities aim to enhance the overall residential experience by fostering a sense of belonging and creating opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect. Here are some common types of themed communities in residence life: 

The Lavender Garden Themed Community 

Description 

The Lavender Garden themed living floor is a community open to first-year students looking for an affirming, inclusive, and supportive living experience. Lavender Garden is open to students of any gender identity or gender expression. 

Residents can look forward to participating in social and educational programming. These programs are designed to embody Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values of belonging, social justice, intersectionality, and wholistic wellness as well as learning how to access resources on campus. 

There are two gender inclusive bathrooms on the floor.

Location 

Killinger Hall, 2nd Floor 
WCU Managed Housing 

Eligibility 

  • Students that support a welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of sexuality, gender identity/expression, or other identities. 

Application 

 

The Quieter Floor 

Description 

The Quieter floor is a community that promotes a calmer, more focused study environment for students. This community will have extended quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. every day of the week. During quiet hours, noise from televisions, computers, stereos, voices, etc. will remain at a minimum to ensure residents can fully concentrate. 

Location 

Tyson Hall, 7th Floor 
WCU Managed Housing 

Eligibility 

  • This floor is open to any incoming student. 

Application 

 

First Generation Community 

Description 

West Chester University (WCU) celebrates and supports WCU’s first-generation college students by providing access to resources, opportunities to connect, and spaces to build a sense of community. The West Chester University First-Gen themed community celebrates and supports students who identify as first-generation students. The WCU staff will offer programs and resources specifically geared towards the success of first-generation students living in this community. By joining the first-generation community, you’ll discover a supportive environment where students – like you – can connect and share their diverse backgrounds and learning experiences.    

At WCU, we define a first-generation college student as a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a four-year college degree.  For more information on how WCU honors and celebrates first-generation students, please visit the WC First website.   

Location

Goshen Hall, 6th Floor
WCU Managed Housing

Eligibility 

  • All first-year first-generation students are welcomed to the first-generation themed community.   

Application 

 

FAQs

What is the difference between a living learning community and a themed community? 

  • Living learning communities have a a specific focus that includes an academic connection to those that live in the area. The living experience will be like other areas residential communities however, LLC Communities will have additional programs, support, and connection to their academic faculty and classes. 
  • Themed communities are open to all first-year students who are looking for a living interest with a specific focus. Each community has a certain focus and by being placed in these communities you agree to participate in community living.  

What themed communities does WCU offer? 

  • The Lavender Garden Community 
  • The Quieter Floor 
  • The First-Generation Community 

What living learning communities are offered? 

  • Sustainability & Social Justice Leadership 
  • Chemistry 
  • Psychology 

Who can apply? 

  • Eligibility requirements for each community can be found in the description area on our website.  

How do I apply, when and what is the deadline to apply? 

  • Students must complete the external application associated with each community (can be found in the description area of each community).  
  • In order to be fully considered before incoming student housing assignments are completed, students should complete the external application/interest form before June 17, 2024.  

What are the benefits of themed/living learning communities? 

  • By living in these communities, you’ll be surrounded by other Golden Rams who share your interests, making it easier to take what you learn in classes, co-curricular, or life and connect it to your future career putting you on the fast track to success. 

Does it cost extra? 

  • Living Learning Communities and Themed Communities do not cost any additional dollars to be a member of as it is just a special offering we provide students.  

Are there Living Learning Communities available WCU Managed and USH? 

  • Living Learning Communities in WCU Managed Resident Halls include: 
    • Chemistry  
    • Sustainability  
    • Psychology  
    • Gender Inclusive  
    • The Quieter Floor  
    • First Gen  
  • Living Learning Communities in USH Affiliated Housing include: 
    • Honors College 

My major doesn’t have a learning community? Now what? 

  • Unfortunately, all majors may not have a living learning community. We encourage students to make connections with their professors in the classroom and establish connections with peers in the academic environment.