Living Learning Communities

Being part of a community is about making connections with others who have common interests. Community is about getting involved and contributing to something larger than you. Living Learning Communities (LLCs) at Central Washington University bridge students' academic interests with their residence hall living experience. Students with common academic interests live together in the same residence hall and develop personal and academic relationships with other students and faculty from a field of study. Students participate in out-of-classroom enrichment activities that support their academic pursuits. As noted below, some LLCs are connected to specific courses that students take together. Theme Communities are not connected to a specific academic discipline, but allow students the opportunity to live and learn with students who share common interests. As with Living Learning Communities, they allow students to build relationships with other students and faculty and staff who share their interests.

2009-2010 Living Learning and Theme Communities

Asian Pacific Islander American House

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Kamola	First-year and above

Central Washington University is proud to announce the creation of our newest Living Learning Community, the Asian Pacific Islander American House.  Members of Asia Pacific Islander American (APIA) House have an academic and personal interest in Asian Pacific American history, culture, and contemporary issues. Through organized academic and social activities such as student-led lectures, group discussions, cultural events, and community service, residents become part of a unique environment for interaction and learning. APIA House supports a close-knit community and is comparable to a home away from home.

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Aviation

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Wendell Hill Hall	First-year and above

Formerly known as Flight Technology, students involved with this program must have been accepted into the Aviation Sciences Program.

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Attendance at the Museum of Flight
• Study sessions and FAA review
• Community service projects with children at the local airport

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Casa Latina

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Meisner	First-year and above

Casa Latina Bookmark!

Casa Latina Faculty include:

Lois Breedlove	Bouillon 232 B	509-963-1046	breedlov@cwu.edu
Michael Ervin	Language and Literature 100 M	509-963-1244	ervinm@cwu.edu
Gilberto Garcia	Psychology 472	509-963-2416	ggarcia@cwu.edu

Mission Statement

Casa Latina, an interdivisional collaboration uniting students, faculty, and staff, is a multicultural Living Learning Community (LLC) that welcomes all students who share an interest in Latina/o heritage and culture. Casa Latina will:

• Provide a common academic experience through the Latino and Latin American studies program.
• Create formal and informal activities that enrich students' academics and the University community.
• Promote students' engagement with Latina/o populations and surrounding communities.
• Transform Central Washington University into a culturally rich and receptive environment.

Your future is Central. Tu futuro es Central.

For more information about the Casa Latina Living Learning Community, please visit www.cwu.edu/~casalatina.

Students involved in this program will be enrolled in LLAS 102, An Introduction to Latino and Latin American Studies.

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Creating Casa Latina t-shirts
• Trips to various Latino cultural events
• Attendance at various CWU cultural events
• Activities involving Cinco De Mayo and Dia De Los Muertos

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Education

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Kamola	First-year
Sue Lombard	Sophomore and above

Students anticipating a career in education or in a field working with children or youth are eligible. Students will be enrolled in a common University 101 class which will help students transition into the Education program.

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Discussions with various teachers in the profession
• Sessions on teachers education preparation
• Community service in the local schools including a pen pal program, and other opportunities within the public schools

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International House

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Anderson	First-year and above

Students interested in becoming more involved with world issues are encouraged to participate in activities surrounding our global society. There are many opportunities for students to interact with other from international countries.

Benefits

• Learn more about studying abroad
• Learn different cultural perspectives
• Gain cross-cultural living experience

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Trips to the Seattle International District
• Classic film series
• Meeting the former President of Ireland(Mary Robinson)
• Cultural meal programs

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Leadership House

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Kennedy	First-year and above

Students interested in connecting with University leadership positions and learning about academic opportunities surrounding leadership are encouraged to participate.

This program allows first-year students to be paired with an upper-class mentor to learn more about leadership involvement on campus. Together the Center for Excellence and Leadership and University Housing and New Student Programs provide students with the opportunity to further their leadership skills.

Students involved in this program will enroll in a Service Learning/Civic Engagement class that promotes the ideas of volunteerism and contributions to the local community

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Leadership institute
• Involvement in a leadership certification program
• Team building ropes courses

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Music

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Al Monty	First-year
Wendell Hill Hall	Sophomore and above

Students with declared or anticipated major/minor in music or have in an interest in music enrichment are eligible.

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Visiting Spokane Symphony
• Attending the musical "Rent" in Seattle
• Taking special lessons in Taiko(Japanese drumming)
• Participating in vocal performances on campus

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S.T.E.P.

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Kamola	First-year
Sue Lombard	Sophomore and above

Students accepted and involved with the S.T.E.P. program will take a sequence of three General Education classes in a small classroom setting.

Benefits for participating with the Science Talent Enhancement Program (S.T.E.P.)

• Explore theme based scientific issues
• Gain hands on experience in modern scientific research
• Develop mentoring relationship with CWU science faculty

Programs students have been involved with include:

• Hikes on Mt. Rainier
• River rafting trips
• Visits to the Seattle Zoo
• Discussional topics including presentations on Mount St. Helens

If interested in the S.T.E.P. program, contact Lisa Ely, Department of Geological Sciences at (509)-963-2177 or ely@geology.cwu.edu

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Students for the Dream

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Meisner	First-year and above

This Living Learning Community is designed to be comprised of a diverse group of students from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It is a residential community modeled after Dr. Martin Luther King's "dream" and is a diverse and inclusive global learning community based on the core values of King's philosophy of the essential dignity and advancement of all human beings.

Students living in the Students for the Dream Living Learning Community will study black performance arts, history, hip hop, poetry and dance. Students will enroll in English 110: Black Performative Culture as part of their general education requirements in their first quarter. Students will explore their own cultures and identities, deepen their understanding of other cultures and enhance their cross-cultural communication skills.

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William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC)

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Kamola	First-year and above

Students Admitted into the Douglas Honors College are eligible to live in this LLC. Faculty and students collaborate in creating opportunities of broad exposure in the areas of liberal arts and natural and social sciences. Students will integrate knowledge gained from a wide range of disciplines through critical thinking, writing, and oral communication. Students attend a series of lectures together, and continue dialogues in the residence halls in colloquium groups.

Interested students should contact Dr. Matthew Altman, Director, at 509-963-1440 or altmanm@cwu.edu

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Theme Communities

Theme communities in the residence halls connect students to enrichment beyond the academic and traditional social settings. Theme communities differ from learning communities in that theme communities are primarily focused on common interest(s) rather than a specific area of study. Active participation is required to live in a theme community.

Women's Experience Theme Community

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Green	First-year and above

Recreation Theme Community

Residence Hall	Eligibility
Al-Monty	First-year and above

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