Program overviewLearning Communities (known as LCs) are a part of the dynamic residential living options at High Point University. LCs encourage first year students with similar interests, both inside and outside of the classroom, to actively engage in a rich collaborative learning environment. These communities expand the learning opportunities beyond the classroom. These vibrant and optional learning communities are made possible by combining the strengths of Academic Affairs and Student Life on campus and are supported by faculty members who want to focus on student-centered, intellectual purpose that will enhance the resident’s academic goals.

Learning Communities provide an interdisciplinary learning experience as well as peer-to-peer connections. Additionally, you will have structured out of class activities that will be led by your Peer Educator and supported by faculty members. LCs enroll cohorts of students (typically 18 to 20) with purposefully linked courses, designed to promote connections between disciplines and beyond the classroom.

Learning Communities

IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: Students in LCs earn higher grades than students who chose not to participate in a LC. (Data from The National Center for Learning Communities)

MUCH HIGHER OVERALL SUCCESS RATES: Higher numbers of LC students return for their sophomore year than non-LC participants. In addition, LC students have much higher four and five year graduation rates.

MORE INTERACTION WITH FACULTY MEMBERS: Because LC students take the same courses, they have a “common academic experience” that provides an opportunity to become better acquainted with one another and their faculty instructors.

DEEP LASTING FRIENDSHIPS: Because LC students tend to interact more with one another, they form deep, meaningful and lasting friendships as well as social networks.

GREATER INVOLVEMENT ON CAMPUS: Students in LCs tend to be more involved in campus activities, clubs and organizations and this contributes to a greater sense of belonging.

HIGHER SATISFACTION WITH THE OVERALL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: LC students are not only very satisfied with their LC experience, but also more satisfied with college in general.

LEARN NEW SKILLS: Because students are expected to learn from one another, LC participants learn team building, leadership and collaboration skills.

STUDENTS SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER: In any community, members are committed to one another’s welfare and success. Hence, LC students support each other through “study groups,” peer tutoring and preparation for tests and exams.

GUARANTEED COURSES: Because LCs are created around common courses, when students join, their course registration is relatively easy because their courses are guaranteed.

ENJOYMENT: Finally, participants in LCs report a higher level of overall enjoyment during their first year in college.

2014-2015 HPU LEARNING COMMUNITY THEMES

the Learning Community advantage

• Arts Alive• Communication• Drawing from Different Perspectives• Education: Putting the Arts in STEAM• Entrepreneurship• Global Citizenship• Health Professions• Healthy Living: Exercise and Nutrition• Minds, Machine, and Human Beings

• Outdoor Adventures & Substainability• Pre-Law: What is Truth? • Religion & Science• Social Justice: Human Rights & Human Wrongs• STEM 1• STEM 2• The Nature of Design• Women in STEM

How do I sign up for an LC? You will access the housing portal after January 31. During this process, you will complete the lifestyles questionnaire, opt to build a profile and participate in the search engine with other students that match your profile, complete your LC preferences section and then complete your building preferences. Due to limited space and allowance for your personal preferences, not every incoming student will participate in an LC. When the housing allocation has been completed in May, along with your housing assignment, you will receive notification regarding your LC assignment.

Do I have to live in the residence hall where the LC is housed? Yes; one of the greatest benefits of the LCs is connecting with other like-minded students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Will my roommate be a member of the LC? Typically, we try to make sure the residential LC students reside together on the same hall. Therefore, your roommate will more than likely be in your LC. Students have the ability to rank their building preferences, roommate and their preferred LC. Please know that if you select an LC option, this will override your building preference and/or roommate preference.

What if I’ve requested a specific roommate? Be sure that you and your preferred roommate have similar interest in the Learning Community. If not, and you want to be in an LC, try to find an LC that interests both of you. Remember, your priority of housing will be based on your Admission decision and deposit date paid within that category. For example, if you are an Early Decision Student and your preferred roommate is Regular Decision, your LC placement and building preference allocation will move to the date of the Regular Decision student’s date of paid deposit.

I have confirmed a roommate; however, our LC preferences are different. Be sure that you and your preferred roommate have your LC preferences in the same order. If your preferences do not match, you will not be placed together.

I have confirmed a roommate and our LC preferences match. Are we 100% guaranteed to be together? We will do our best to accommodate your request. However, you are not guaranteed to be placed together based on assignment order and number of spots in LCs. If you are not placed together through the initial housing assignment, we will work our waiting list until July 31st.

What if I decide to join an LC after receiving my housing assignment? The Office of Student Life will maintain a waitlist for students wanting to join an LC. This wait list will be maintained and managed until July 31. This may necessitate a change in your housing assignment.

Learning Communities & the housing seLeCtion ProCess

FrequentLy asked questions

Do I have to take all required classes associated with the LC? Yes, to maximize the benefit of the LC, each student must take all classes associated with the LC. These courses will be reserved for you when you select participation in the LC.

What if I am in an LC and I decide to change my academic major? Do I have to move? No, your LC is not necessarily linked to your academic program of study; for some students, it’s an obvious match to your academic program. However, if you are still exploring and deciding, there are many LC opportunities for your first semester experience. And the good news, your housing is assigned for the entire academic year. Changes can be made based on availability.

I don’t have a major, so should I consider participation in an LC? Absolutely! Our faculty has specifically designed LCs that are geared for students still deciding on their major. The required courses of the LCs count toward hours for graduation and are often general education requirements needed for all academic majors.

Will I be able to use AP (Advanced Placement) credit for a course(s) in an LC? To get the full benefit of the LC, all courses in the LC must be taken for credit while at the university.

Can I take any classes other than those in my LC? Yes! LC course requirements are typically two or three courses. Generally, you will choose one to two additional courses, up to 16 or 18 total credits.

Does it cost anything to be in an LC? No; however, there are residential communities that have specific amenities that may change the yearly investment.

What if I decide after signing up and registering for classes, that I don’t wish to participate in the LC? This is okay; however, this can change your housing placement and your academic schedule. Students will be able to make changes to their LC preferences via the housing portal until the end of April.

What if I decide I don’t wish to participate in an LC and do not sign up for one before attending an Early Registration event? This is okay. It is not required for students to participate in an LC.

For more information please visit www.highpoint.edu/learningcommunities

At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people. SM