A Living Learning Community (LLC) consists of a group of students with a common interest or major living on the same floor(s) of a residence hall. Each LLC usually takes a class together, making it easier to meet classmates, form study groups, and get involved in leadership opportunities. Best of all, there is no additional cost to join!
Students in LLCs report making friends faster, have higher GPAs, and graduate at a better rate than students who are not. LLC-related activities range in number and occur throughout the year. You will have access to field trips, events, lectures and networking opportunities, in addition to a more tight-knit environment.
- Meet students with similar interests
- Involve yourself on campus and gain leadership experience
- Meet a diverse group of students
- Get to know faculty and staff outside of the classroom
- Join study groups and access additional tutoring and supplemental instruction
- Have access to increased service learning and volunteer opportunities
As a member of a Living Learning Community at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, you get to be part of a “community within a community” by living in the residence halls among students with similar interests.
Community Choices
All current Living Learning Community options are listed under the building in which they are (or will be) located. This list is comprehensive; however, options may change from year to year and are updated as information becomes available.
Why Join an LLC
Support
The first meal in the cafeteria. The first class session. The first paper due. The first final exam. They can all present challenges for individual students. Yet, they are a very common experience for most UWM students. Participating in an LLC connects you with others students going through the same things at the same times. In addition to the camaraderie of being in a community with shared interests, you will enjoy the benefit of special events and activities throughout the year that are designed to help you adjust to college, while encouraging the development of friendships with other residents who have similar interests and ambitions.
Experienced Students
Each LLC has a specially selected and trained staff that work with its residents. This staff includes: the Residence Life Coordinator (a full-time employee of University Housing who is responsible for the students in their specific building), Faculty members, a Resident Assistant, and/or a Student Success Center Mentor.
Selecting an LLC
There are limited spaces in each Living Learning Community, so it is important to submit your Housing Contract by the May 1 Priority Deadline. This ensures you are in the first housing assignment lottery. You then have until May 31 to finalize your LLC selection. If your contract is submitted post-May 1 and you are eligible for the LLC you selected, that assignment will receive priority if LLC space permits. As a friendly reminder, your deposit must be paid in full in order to receive your assignment.
To select a Living Learning Community,
- Look through the Community Choices to see which LLC interests you. Living in an LLC is not required but is strongly encouraged if you have one that interests you!
- Make sure the UWM major you have selected is eligible for the LLC. Many of our LLCs are restricted to specific majors, and we often cannot make exceptions.
- During completion of your Housing contract, there will be a page to enter your LLC preference.
- University Housing & LLC staff will look at both your LLC preference and major and will email you to confirm your eligibility.
- If you ARE eligible, you will go into the current applicant pool and be assigned, as long as space allows. Unfortunately, some years we are not able to accommodate all applicants.
- If you are NOT eligible for your chosen LLC, we will work with you to find a different LLC or involvement opportunity to get you connected to other students in University Housing.
LLC Preference and Roommates
We know that living in an LLC makes a big academic and social difference to the student experience. Because of this, LLCs are ranked as the top preference on your Housing Application.
If you have already chosen a roommate, both of you will need to be eligible AND select the same LLC in order to live together. If either you or your chosen roommate do not meet eligibility requirements or both of you do not select the same LLC, you will be split up during the assignment process.
If you don’t have someone with whom you want to live, that is totally ok! Most students come to college and have random roommates. One perk of an LLC is when you’re assigned a random roommate, you know that they at least have a similar interest or major, which makes living together a smoother transition.