Living learning communities help students join the Saluki family
By Tim Crosby
Sarah Michalak says she may have met her long-lost sibling at SIU.
OK, not really. But she has so much in common with her roommate in Aviation Living Learning Community in the residence hall towers at SIU that it seems like it might be possible.
“I have an amazing roommate. We’re super similar, and share clothes, shoes, even looks and food preferences and hobbies,” said Michalak, a freshman aviation management major from Crystal Lake, Illinois. “Sometimes I think we might be long lost twins!”
Michalak is just one example of the many who benefit from SIU’s living learning community concept, which offer students the chance to live with others who share similar majors or interests. Each LLC is unique, allowing students, faculty and staff to tailor their experience. Faculty involvement may include programs, shared meals in the dining halls, presentations in the residence halls, tutoring and mentoring. Some LLCs may also offer special equipment or research materials.
The College of Health and Human Sciences maintains LLCs in Mae Smith Hall in almost all of the floors, 3 through 17. (The second floor is designated for the ROTC programs.) All together, the college has 407 LLC spaces, more than half of which are currently occupied by students from automotive technology and aviation majors.
Jon Shaffer, director of University Housing, said the LLC concept evolved from an earlier “theme housing” concept, which housed groups of students with commonalities within close proximity.
“But theme housing lacks the intentionality of LLCs,” Shaffer said. “The true essence of living learning communities is to create a seamless and intentional immersive learning environment tying together in- and out-of-classroom experiences.”
Under Dean Robert Morgan, all CHHS LLCs have been consolidated at Mae Smith Hall, Shaffer said.
“We are looking at the LLC experience encompassing programs across the college,” Shaffer said. “While individual floors remain associated with particular majors or groups of majors, having all of the college’s LLC residents under one roof means the building can take on a collegewide identity. This, of course, builds affinity to the college – and SIU as a whole – rather than students just identifying with their major.”
The advantages are many. For example, an LLC can host specific study sessions, tutoring and even academic advising in the residence halls. It also can increase the opportunities for service learning.
“LLC life is an ‘all hands on deck’ program where everyone involved plays a role in ensuring the experiences are intentional, purposeful and providing learning opportunities,” Shaffer said.
For Michalak, having students from her major so close by provides constant motivation and support.
“There is a lot of consolidated passion for your major,” Michalak said. “Often, other kids are also working on the same homework and classes you are, so it's super helpful to feel like you're going into your chosen path as a team, and that if you ever need help, there's plenty available.”
And the sense of community is palpable.
“I like that the LLC has a lot of kids with similar passions to you,” she said. “Everyone is working toward the same goal, and we all stumble in different places – places that other kids on the same path might be able to help out with. Our floor has movie nights, snow cones, a great R.A., and everyone is constantly hanging out and visiting each other.”