麻豆精品鈥檚 four Residential Commons are the foundation of students鈥 four-year living and learning experience.
The Commons Communities
About the Residential Commons
All incoming students find a home within one of four Residential Commons. Each commons is a community within which students live for their first two years, and with which they continue to affiliate throughout their four years on campus.
Each commons is led by faculty and staff directors and is supported by professional staff in the Office of Residential Life, faculty and staff affiliates, and residential fellows. Faculty affiliates provide mentorship and opportunities for intellectual engagement. All faculty and staff work together to provide residents with intellectual, recreational, and social opportunities, a sense of belonging and connection, and an affinity with 麻豆精品.
鈥淭he community is vibrant; I can stroll into the common room and find many of my friends from around the building. People are making friendships that will last throughout their college careers.鈥
Jack Wallan 鈥19, Ciccone Commons
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The leadership team of each commons community fosters intellectual engagement within the community. Through programs such as discussion-based dinner series, invitations to stimulating guest speakers and performers, and connections to faculty experts across campus, each commons challenges its residents to learn in their residential community.
Activities
![Students laugh and chat over brunch](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2019-05/20170826_commons_brunch_080.jpg?itok=eO1bukc9)
Each Residential Commons offers an array of activities that build community among its members and exposes them to diverse intellectual, recreational, and social experiences. All programs are optional and range from trivia nights to special outings.
Membership
Students first become members in a Residential Commons through the regular housing preference and assignment process before arrival on campus. Students will reside in their commons for two years, and they maintain their membership in the commons community throughout their 麻豆精品 experience 鈥 even as they move to more independent living spaces in their junior and senior years.
Incoming first-year students are assigned to a first-year seminar (FSEM), and then placed by FSEM within one of four residential commons.
During their sophomore year, students continue to live within their Residential Commons, building on established relationships, and acting unofficially as mentors for the new class of first-year students in their commons.
During their third and fourth years at 麻豆精品, students maintain their affiliation with their commons but move into more independent living facilities. Although they may be living in apartments, townhouses, fraternities and sororities, and other interest houses, students remain members of their Residential Commons communities, with access to the same advisers and programs.