First-Year Student Living and Learning Communities
Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) are available for Fairfield University undergraduate students during each of their four years. In addition to traditional residence hall options, the LLCs aim to transform the entire Fairfield University culture involving faculty, administrators, students, and staff. The LLCs create a multicultural community across campus, building on the Fairfield University strategic vision of integrating learning through a variety of intentional community housing programs.
These communities help students connect quickly with other students who have similar interests while settling into life on campus - in and out of the classroom. The programs provide a fun and engaging way to jump start the Fairfield experience. Incoming first year students can select any of these communities on their housing application form.
First-year students can choose to live in one of four intentional communities:
- Healthy Living
- Leadership Through Service
- Man 2 Man
- Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM)
Healthy Living Community
The mission of the Healthy Living Community is to provide services and support for first-year students who choose to engage and participate in a community focused around healthy lifestyle choices. The community assists students in their transition to college through programs and partnerships with upperclassmen and underclassmen students, faculty and staff members.
- Experience a residential setting that is an active, supportive, and exciting place to live and learn
- Increase network of resources with faculty and staff members
- Participate in social activities related to healthy living
- Create a deeper, stronger connection with residents on the floor
- Increase awareness of how healthy habits in all aspects of life help students become more well-rounded persons
- Help educate (role model) other students about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle
Leadership through Service
This community is intended to bring together first-year students who aspire to continue to make difference. This program will help students focus on self-discovery, explore questions of identity, and have the opportunity to develop and deepen their vocation to engage in competent, creative leadership that works for the common good. Students will also be encouraged to actively seek opportunities to both serve and lead others within their community.Â
- Living in an intentional community
- Participate in different services that enhance leadership development
- Mentoring with upperclass students, staff and faculty
- Monthly dinner series with key staff and faculty members
- Off-campus trips
- Create programs
- Participate in alternative spring break trips
- Meet people who have a common goal
- Find help and encouragement informally through networking with peers
Man 2 Man Community
Man 2 Man is a community that assists first-year males with their transition to college. This program is for committed male residents who are searching for a community of brotherhood that they either enjoyed in high school or want to be a part of in their time at Fairfield University.Male students form a fraternal community with upper-class mentors and male faculty and staff as they explore what it means to be a man.
- Bi-weekly group meetings engage in conversations with peers about issues around masculinity
- Social programs include poker nights, video game tournaments, off-campus trips, dinners, and discussions
- Opportunities to meet with and have dinner with faculty and staff mentors
- Experience a residential setting that is an active, supportive, and exciting place to live and learn
- Build relationships with other men who enjoy all kinds of hobbies including sports, music, video games, art, community service, and more
WiSTEM Community
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) is a living and learning community of female first-year students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program in housed in Gonzaga Hall. WiSTEM provides the benefits of living in an intentional community where tutoring, study hours, peer mentoring, faculty access, and many other opportunities are available to help students succeed and build the sense of community with their peers.
- Live in an intentional community
- Participate in courses with floormates
- Maximize the effectiveness of each student’s academic program with in-hall faculty interaction
- Study groups to improve grades
- Find help and encouragement informally through networking with peers
- Off-campus trips
- Participate in social activities related to academic major
- Access to tutoring, study groups, and upper-class mentoring
Learn about residential opportunities for sophomores and upperclassmen