Residential Communities

Most of us are at ease in smaller groups, so we’ve created a series of interlocking “neighborhoods” (your wing, your floor, your hall, and the KU campus) that offer the chance to find your place.  Grouped with others who share similar interests, you’ll find yourself in the midst of a discussion, a group on the way to lunch or dinner, or a late-night run to a local coffee shop before you know it.  You’ll grow together as a group and individually by sharing experiences in and out of the classroom.

Thematic Learning Communities (TLCs)

TLCs are designed especially for first-year college students at KU.  Your TLC will be comprised of about 20 students enrolled together in 2 core courses linked by a “theme”.  Students is residential TLCs are assigned to the same residence hall floor and are co-enrolled in 2 courses plus a TLC seminar.  The seminar familiarizes students with academic resources and serves to connect the academic content of the core courses.

Each residential TLC has a Peer Educator (PE) who lives on the residence hall floor.  The PE is an undergraduate student who helps with adjustments to college and assists with the TLC seminar.  Each TLC also has a faculty or staff member as an additional resource for TLC members.  With a TLC you’ll start your KU experience with some extra help in the classroom, instant connections to new friends and faculty, and the opportunity to get the most from your first year.  Check out course offerings at the TLC web site:  www.tlc.ku.edu

Honors Program Residence (in both McCollum and Templin Halls)

High-ability students enjoy residential environments where academic achievement and faculty-student interaction are emphasized.  Women and men live on separate wings of the same floor, study facilities are located in the floor lobby, and the nearby Nunemaker Center houses the KU Honors Program. 

You’ll be eligible for the Honors Program Residence if you’re invited to join the KU Honors Program or are a U.S. or international scholar.  You must maintain a competitive GPA to continue to live in these academic residential environments.

Email the KU Honors Program with questions.

3E (Experience Excellence in Ellsworth Hall)

Get a great start on college with 3E.  This is a building-wide career exploration program that partners new students with upperclass residents as they investigate career options in “excellence teams” which focus on career fields.  All Ellsworth residents complete the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and are assisted by staff of the University Career Center in interpreting their results. 

Residence Center for the Creative Arts (Hashinger Hall)

Create, observe, participate.  Nearly 400 women and men focus their creative energies on a variety of art forms, resulting in a closely-knit living group.  From special guests like the internationally-known earth artist, Stan Herd, to open mic nights, and coffee house performances featuring music, poetry and comedy, Hashinger offers something for anyone who likes to explore possibilities in the arts. 

Hashinger is open to all KU students regardless of major but will be closed for renovation in 2005-2006.

Future residential communities at KU (coming soon to a residence hall near you).

Additional residential communities are being planned and developed all the time.  Possibilities include environmental awareness, engineering, marching band, architecture, or health sciences.  If YOU have an interest you think may work well in an organized living environment, please contact DSH.

How to Apply

You’ll be asked to indicate your community preference on your KU Housing Contract (mailed in the spring to all admitted students who have applied for housing.

Feel free to email us at any time or call us at 785-864-4560.