Living Learning Communities

Want to live with other students who share your academic interests? When you join one of our First-Year Interest Communities, you’ll live together on the same residence hall floors with like-minded students, and attend programs and events specifically designed around your interests. Every FYI community is staffed with upperclass Resident Advisors, and also a live-in academic assistant for additional tutoring and academic support.

The FYI Architecture Living Learning Community (LLC), located in Goodyear Hall on South Campus, is designed for first year students enrolled in the Architecture BS program. Students enjoy connecting with their peers where they live, as well as in class and studio. This community provides extracurricular activities that fit their demanding schedule, and connects students to a supportive network of staff, faculty, and administrators. This community is known for its close friendships to one another and with their RAs and AAs.

All first-year Architecture majors living on campus must live within the FYI Architecture LLC.  The LLC has specific infrastructure in place to support the unique needs of Architecture students not available in other on-campus communities, and the physical proximity to studio and shop spaces allows for the most efficient access to these spaces crucial for completing coursework (especially 9 am studio classes). Students that have been accepted to be part of one of Campus Living’s other LLC areas may apply to be released from the Architecture LLC through a web form available through the School of Architecture and Planning. Please note, “first-year” refers to students in their first academic year at a higher education institution- it does NOT apply to new transfer students.

The FYI Engineering Living Learning Community, located in Governors Complex on North Campus, is a great community for students enrolled or intending to enroll in any of the 7 departments within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This community provides opportunities to develop problem solving, collaboration, and social skills needed in the engineering field, and make connections between their studies and events in the residence halls, and build contacts with professionals in the school of engineering.

The FYI Heath Professions Living Learning Community, located in Spaulding Quad (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, is for students enrolled or intending to enroll in a variety of health-related fields such as pre-med, pre-dentistry, and nursing. This community provides opportunities to establish study groups, networking and exploring co-curricular experiences in your field of choice.  Come live with those who share your passion for learning and helping others, while working together in common subject areas such as chemistry and biology.

The FYI Management Living Learning Community, located in Wilkeson Quad (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, is for students enrolled or intending to enroll in the School of Management. This community provides opportunities for participants to support each other through prerequisite courses such as economics and accounting. Additionally, the Management FYI assists students in identifying extracurricular activities to enhance their area of interest, and connect with resources offered through the School of Management.

The FYI Pharmacy Living Learning Community, located in Spaulding Quad (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, is for students enrolled or intending to enroll in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology and toxicology, etc. This community provides opportunities for students to establish study groups, explore trending advances in the field, and build connections with faculty and peers. Staff also help students prepare for Early Assurance Pharmacy interviews and requirements.

The Major and Career Exploration Living and Learning Community, located in Wilkeson Quad (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, offers an inspiring and supportive atmosphere for first-year students entering exploratory (undecided) about a major and assigned to the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (EPAC). Through activities, academic advisement and Career Design Center resources, join a community that helps students explore how their interests and strengths relate to majors and careers. 

Access to College Excellence (ACE), located in Clinton Hall (Governors Complex) on North Campus, is a support services program designed to aid in students’ transition from high school to college and during their first two years of study at UB. ACE students receive academic and holistic support that helps them maximize their potential and succeed in college and beyond. All ACE student are required to live in the ACE-only housing area.

The Daniel Acker Scholars Program, located in Dewey Hall (Governors Complex) on North Campus, is an individualized program that provides additional resources for academically talented students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including students with financial need, first-generation college students and underrepresented minority students (African-American, Latina/Latino American and Native American). This community also has live-in academic assistants for additional tutoring and academic support. First-year students who are accepted into the program live together in the same area along with academic assistants, who provide additional support.

Alliance Living Learning Community, located in Red Jacket and Richmond Quads (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, is ideal for students wanting to embrace diversity in a safe and affirming environment that brings together LGBTQ+ students and straight allies to freely explore issues of gender identity and expression and sexual orientation. This spaces is intended to be a safe, inclusive, comfortable and supportive community for students of all gender identities, sexual orientations and expressions. This community is open to incoming first-year students, as well as current upperclassmen students.

The UB Honors College, located in the Governors Complex on North Campus, provides the experience of a small liberal arts college backed by the intellectual resources of a major research university to deliver a dynamic curriculum that moves far beyond the classroom. This diverse community of gifted scholars, experienced advisors and committed faculty is perfect for students who crave a challenge and wish to do more with their education. This community also has live-in academic assistants for additional tutoring and academic support. First-year students who are accepted into the Honors College may choose to live in the Honors College area.

Leadership House, located in Dewey (Governors Complex) on North Campus, gives first-year students a unique opportunity to learn about leadership, service and community engagement through classes and co-curricular experiences. This community is designed to shape students’ academic and social experience, enhance personal development, and develop students who become active citizens at UB and in the community. Students who are accepted into Leadership House will live together in the same area.

The Major and Career Exploration Living and Learning Community, located in Wilkeson Quad (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, offers an inspiring and supportive atmosphere for first-year students entering exploratory (undecided) about a major and assigned to the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (EPAC). Through activities, academic advisement and Career Design Center resources, join a community that helps students explore how their interests and strengths relate to majors and careers. 

The new Sagoyewatha Living and Learning Community, located in Goodyear Hall on South Campus, offers community and cultural connection for all students who are interested in learning more about Indigenous peoples, knowledge, languages, histories and contemporary realities. Students will have opportunities to participate in cultural and social activities with local Indigenous communities and can access the academic, personal, culturally competent network of care and support provided by the UB Indigenous Studies Department and the UB Hub for Indigenous Inclusion.

Architecture Special Interest Housing, located in Richmond Quad on North Campus (for 2022-2023), is a community where upper-class students studying architecture or environmental design can live together and learn from each another. Additional opportunities include mentoring the first-year architecture community and participating in career exploration programming. Open to sophomore, junior and senior architecture students.

Alliance Living Learning Community, located in Red Jacket and Richmond Quads (Ellicott Complex) on North Campus, is ideal for students wanting to embrace diversity in a safe and affirming environment that brings together LGBTQ+ students and straight allies to freely explore issues of gender identity and expression and sexual orientation. This spaces is intended to be a safe, inclusive, comfortable and supportive community for students of all gender identities, sexual orientations and expressions. This community is open to incoming first-year students, as well as current upperclassmen students.

The Honors College Sophomore LLC provides the experience of a diverse community of gifted scholars living in the same area in Greiner Hall on North Campus. Exclusively for sophomore Honors scholars, the participants are expected to serve as an Honors College Ambassador and/or Honors College Peer Mentor, jointly plan and facilitate a student-centered program for the Honors College and attend an Honors College Faculty Fellow talk each semester. This unique experience allows for Honors College students to further develop their leadership skills with their peers.

The new Sagoyewatha Living and Learning Community, located in Goodyear Hall on South Campus, offers community and cultural connection for all students who are interested in learning more about Indigenous peoples, knowledge, languages, histories and contemporary realities. Students will have opportunities to participate in cultural and social activities with local Indigenous communities and can access the academic, personal, culturally competent network of care and support provided by the UB Indigenous Studies Department and the UB Hub for Indigenous Inclusion.

How do I Apply?

When completing your housing application, select which Living Learning Communities your are interested in. You will also need to enter the reasons you are interested in each community you are interested in.

Some of the above programs require additional applications, which you can click on above.

Can I apply to multiple Living Learning Communities?

Yes.  Some Living Learning Communities are competitive, so you should apply to multiple communities.  If accepted to multiple communities, you will be contacted and will have to indicate which community to live in.

 Can I choose my roommate?

Depends on the community. Usually, your intended roommate also has to be accepted into the LLC, which sometimes means belonging to the same major or program

Can I choose my room type?

Each LLC is located in a specific space of the residence hall. If your preferred room type is available, we’ll house you in it. If it is not available, we will assign you to an available space in the LLC.

What is an Academic Assistant?

AAs are special upperclass student staff we hire to provide academic support in specific LLCs. They are student leaders like an RA, but their interactions focus on academics and theme of the LLC

Who can I contact with questions?

The Living Learning Program staff at livinglearning@buffalo.edu.