Scattered across the various residence halls of the University lie the Living-Learning Communities. There are a total of 10 LLCs at the University, and each one helps connect students who share similar interests.
Students apply to join an LLC when they sign their University Housing contract. Students then write a short essay about why they want to live in the LLC, and upon being accepted, they pay a one-time fee that varies from $200 to $326 depending on the LLC.
The program fee goes toward resources and facilities provided to LLC residents by the University.
Business LLC
Located on the third and fourth floors of Nugent Hall, the Business LLC provides members with special courses and guest speakers. Residents of the business LLC have priority access to courses related to business and entrepreneurship. The program fee for the business LLC is $300.
Exploration LLC
Located on the first, second and third floors of Weston Hall, the Exploration LLC is the perfect place for students still exploring their interests. The LLC offers students community-focused events on global topics, international holiday celebrations and annual trips focused on learning about other cultures. The program fee for the Exploration LLC is $276.
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Global Crossroads LLC
For students interested in global affairs and other cultures, the Global Crossroads LLC has them covered. Located in PAR, this LLC is designed for students interested in global events, international service and cultural learning. Some of the amenities the LLC includes are special credit courses for students, an annual trip to Chicago and Global Crossroads coffee hours. The fee for the Global Crossroads LLC is $200.
Honors LLC
Students a part of a campus honor program may be interested in the Honors LLC. Located in Illinois Street Residence Hall, this LLC is exclusively for James Scholar or Campus Honors program students. Designed around three pillars: inquiry, civic engagement and leadership, the LLC offers a variety of events and resources to cultivate these qualities. Some of these events include music lessons, free professional headshots and trivia nights. The LLC also offers two unique courses, LEAD 116: Honors Uncommon Reads, which explores social justice topics and intersectional feminism, and DTX 180: Exercising Empathy explores the role of empathy in our everyday lives. The program fee for the Honors LLC is $300.
“There were a lot of events just for the Honors LLC, which was really nice to kind of meet people in a small group,” said Emma Pekkarinen, freshman in Education and resident in the Honors LLC.
“There’s been a lot of really fun opportunities; like we had a flower arranging class that I got to do, which is a really nice way to de-stress,” Pekkarinen said.
Pekkarinen said she joined the LLC to meet new people and form new connections with her fellow students.
As a part of the LLC, Pekkarinen is taking the course LEAD 116: Honors Uncommon Reads, which has students read a book together and discuss it once a week. Pekkarinen is reading “Hood Feminism” by Mikki Kendall, which discusses issues about race and gender in modern society.
“I just really like how the class is small,” Pekkarinen said. “It feels more like a book club than a class, and we get to do a lot of activities and a lot of discussions that allow us to really interact with the text.”
Innovation LLC
The Innovation LLC is located on the fourth and fifth floors of Townsend Hall. This LLC features “The Garage,” a workspace with resources like a 3D printer, which allows members to pursue various creative interests. Annual events like skills workshops and guest speakers are also offered. LLC members will also take TE 200: Introduction to Innovation, which teaches students about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. The program fee for the Innovation LLC is $276.
Charlie Knight, sophomore in Engineering, is a resident of the Innovation LLC. Knight said he enjoys both the social and professional aspects of the LLC.
“One of the main things I appreciate about all the LLCs is that they provide a relatively small group of people you get to know,” Knight said. “To me, it is similar to Greek life in the way that one gets to meet a group of people over a long period of time. However, it requires much less financial and social commitment.”
In addition to meeting friends and classmates in a social setting, LLCs also provide valuable resources for students and their future careers or studies.
“The LLC holds frequent workshops and trainings on how to use 3D printers, and take your ideas and create them,” Knight said. “The Innovation LLC is primarily for ‘aspiring entrepreneurs’ as it is run by the University’s Technology Entrepreneur Center and invites many entrepreneurial alumni.”
Intersections LLC
The Intersections LLC offers students deeper ways to talk about race and culture and helps them develop a fuller understanding of different perspectives. Located on the first and second floor of Babcock Hall, the Intersections LLC offers special for-credit courses, community events focused on social identity and annual trips that explore culture and identity. The program fee for the Innovation LLC is $200.
LEADS LLC
Students interested in developing and practicing leadership skills should look no further. Located on the fourth floor of Weston Hall, the Leadership Experience through Academic Development and Service LLC offers professional development resources and priority access to courses relating to social sciences, social problems or entrepreneurship. The program fee for the LEADS LLC is $200.
Sustainability LLC
The Sustainability LLC, located on the third floor of Townsend Hall, offers on-site courses, guest speakers, trips and student leadership opportunities. Students living in this LLC can take courses dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of native plant beds located around LAR. The program fee for the Sustainability LLC is $276.
Unit One LLC
The Unit One LLC is perfect for students looking to pursue their artistic or musical passions. Located in Allen Hall, this LLC offers music lessons, student groups, student-led events and artistic performances. Unit One LLC also allows priority access to PizzaFM, a college radio station that allows students to play music on the air. The program fee for Unit One LCC is $326.
WIMSE LLC
Women pursuing a STEM-related degree may be interested in the Women in Math, Science and Engineering LLC. Located on floors one through three of Trelease Hall, it offers community events focused on women’s leadership, networking opportunities, annual trips and professional workshops. The program fee for WIMSE is $200.
LLCs also have program directors to help manage and assist students living in an LLC.
Amy Fitzjarrald is the program director for the Honors LLC and began working for the University in 2020. Fitzjarrald is an alumna of the Univeristy and lived in the LEADS LLC.
Fitzjarrald said that the LLCs have numerous social and academic benefits for students.
“Research shows students who live on campus, particularly in Living-Learning Communities, do well academically,” Fitzjarrald said. “For students to have a built-in system of like-minded people and/or people with similar interests makes it easier to build connections quickly when arriving on campus as a first-year student.”
Fitzjarrald’s favorite part about LLCs is the connection it gives students to both on and off-campus resources or programs.
“Connecting the Honors Living-Learning Community residents to these partners exposes them to new programs and resources they might not previously have been aware of, but can help support their academic goals,” Fitzjerrald said.
