The primary objective of residential learning and theme housing at San Francisco State University is to provide an environment
where students can explore the interconnected relationship between what is learned and what is lived.
The communities bring together diverse groups of residents with common intellectual, political, and/or social interests.
We hope to support the development of residential communities sustained by commitment to intellectual inquiry,
personal and collective introspection, and social action.
Moreover, we believe the existence of such communities stimulates critical dialogue within the Residential Community regarding the meaning
and function of human difference and group solidarity.
Living Learning and Theme Communities are proven to increase the likelihood of student success in the first year.
In offering these communities, University Housing and our SFSU campus partners are committed to creating a holistic learning
environment that provides peer networking opportunities, increased faculty support, and community based learning inside and outside of the classroom.
The success of the students in these communities relies on a partnership between University Housing, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs,
and most of all the community residents. Because of this, we require all residents of the Living Learning and Theme Communities
to echo our commitment to this enhanced learning environment by completing a Community Agreement for your specific community.
Links to specific Community Agreements are available on the individual community web pages.
All Residence Communities have the common objectives:
facilitate students' academic and social integration into the university,
help students plan their academic future,
reinforce students' development of essential academic skills and building important academic support skills,
help students to develop key personal and interpersonal skills,
foster cultural sensitivity and civility, and
improve retention and facilitating graduation.
Learning Communities* for the 2011-2012 Academic Year
*The learning communities are academically supported by faculty from each college. Students must enroll in classes in relation to the community they decide to reside.
The Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS) Learning Community is designed to assist students majoring in programs in the College of Health & Human Services and the College of College of Arts & Humanities
(including majors in Anthropology, Criminal Justice Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History,
International Relations, Labor Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Urban Studies) to acclimate to university life through academic,
college-based, social, and residential connections. BSS Learning Community is located in the Towers at Centennial Square.
more...
The Science & Technology Theme Community is designed to make the transition to college life easier for first-time freshman
students majoring in science, mathematics, and engineering fields. Science & Technology Theme Community is located in a building named after itself:
the Science & Technology Theme Community. more...
The LiFE Learning Community provides an environment where students majoring in programs in the College of Health and Human Services
(including majors in Child and Adolescent Development, Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics, Health Education, Kinesiology, pre-Nursing,
pre-Physical Therapy, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Apparel Design and Merchandising, and Interior Design) can explore the interconnected
relationships between what is learned and what is lived by participating in programs such as Stress Less Day, Smoking Cessation Program,
and Wellness Week. LiFE Learning Community is located in the Towers at Centennial Square. more...
The Humanities Learning Community, IDEA, is specifically for Freshmen who have declared or are interested in majoring in the
College of Arts & Humanities (including majors in American Studies, Chinese, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, French, German,
Humanities, Italian, Japanese, Journalism, Modern Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion, Spanish, Communication Studies, '
Technical and Professional Writing, and Women Studies) or Liberal Studies. Humanities Learning Community is located in the Towers at Centennial Square.
more...
The M.V.P. Living Learning Community is specifically for Freshmen who have declared a major within the College of Arts & Creative Arts
(i.e. Art, Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts, Cinema, Design and Industry, Theatre Arts, Music and Dance).
Residential learning communities are created when a common bond links residential and academic programs. more...
The Business Learning Community or "Business Matters" is designed for freshmen who have decided to major or minor in business or are
considering doing so. Business is a large and exciting field and students will learn about the wide variety of business
careers and the concentrations offered to business majors and minors such as Accounting, Decision Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Finance,
Hospitality Management, Information Systems, International Business, Marketing and Management. The Business Learning Community is located
in the Towers at Centennial Square at Centennial Square. more...
Residential Theme Communities* for the 2011-2012 Academic Year
* The theme communities provide the resident with a social/lifestyle experience. Students are encouraged to
enroll in classes in relation to the community they decide to reside.
FASTrack Floor: The goal of the FASTrack Community is to provide resources for undeclared residents as they decide on a major.
more...
Women's Floor: For female students of any major who wish to live in an all-female environment and explore women's issues.
more...
LEAD Learning Community: for first-year students who are interested in developing their personal leadership capacity
and getting involved in various leadership opportunities on campus. more...
Health and Wellness Floor: While living in this quiet, substance-free environment, students get the opportunity to connect with
other residents of all different academic majors who share the common goal of striving towards a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle
more...
Academic Intensive Motivation (AIM) Theme Floor: For students of any major who choose
to have an environment with more stringent quiet hours, access to study nights, access to study groups, etc.
more...
Residents are encouraged to bring forth proposals for theme floors which meet the core goals of our housing program.
Proposals will be reviewed by Residential Life professional staff, and will be judged on the following criteria:
Residency on the proposed theme floor must be open to and inclusive of all continuing Residence Community students.
The floor must be consistent with the mission of the Residential Life Program. The floor must incorporate concrete academic/learning objectives.
The floor must make a positive contribution to the quality of the Residential Community.
Contact your RA if you are interested in learning more about the Theme Floor application process.
Importance of Living and Learning Agreements
