Living Learning Communities (LLC)

When you apply for official on-campus housing, you will be able to list your preference for these areas if you are eligible. Spaces in all specialty areas are limited, so we encourage you to apply early. Please note that there are additional eligibility requirements for some 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 Community Assistants, and also a live-in Living Learning Community Assistant for additional academic support.

The FYI Architecture Living Learning Community (LLC), located in Clement 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 WiSE LLC located in the Spaulding Quad on North Campus, is intended as a space for women-identifying students in various STEM fields that are often male-dominated, to build their support network outside of the classroom. Students can opt to be matched with a roommate in their major, their school, or any other STEM major.

The Access to College Excellence (ACE) living learning community (LLC) is in Clinton (Governors Complex) on North Campus. Students in the program who plan to reside on campus must live in the ACE LLC for their first year. ACE is a specialized admission pathway for first-year applicants and provides support services for students whose academic potential is recognized but who may benefit from services designed to maximize their scholastic achievements such as coaching, mentoring and career guidance.

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 Living Learning Community Assistants for additional academic support. First-year students who are accepted into the program live together in the same area along with Community Assistants, who provide additional support.

The Entrepreneurship Living and Learning Community at UB is a home for big thinkers, bold doers, and creative problem-solvers. Located in Evans Quad in the Ellicott Complex, first- and second-year students come together to explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, innovator, or intrapreneur—whether that’s launching a new venture, sparking change inside an organization, or finding fresh solutions to everyday challenges. In this community, you’ll build friendships, grow your skills, and gain the confidence to turn your ideas into impact.

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 Living Learning Community assistants for additional 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. 

Proud to Be First LLC is a home for first year students who identify as first generation UB students, located in Richmond Quad of the Ellicott Complex. This community is intended for students with neither parent/guardian having a four-year degree or higher from a college or university in the U.S. Students must have participated in the UB Thrive summer bridge program and peer mentoring program.

The new Sagoyewatha Living and Learning Community, located in Richmond Quad in the Ellicott Complex, 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.

Living Learning Programs (LLC) support each student academically and personally. Most LLC Programs are staffed with a Community Assistant who provides support to residents by encouraging exploration and engagement, promoting academic success strategies, and building strong community. Residents are also provided one on one opportunities with faculty and staff.

Architecture Special Interest Housing, located in Goodyear Hall on South Campus, 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.

The Entrepreneurship Living and Learning Community at UB is a home for big thinkers, bold doers, and creative problem-solvers. Located in Evans Quad in the Ellicott Complex, first- and second-year students come together to explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, innovator, or intrapreneur—whether that’s launching a new venture, sparking change inside an organization, or finding fresh solutions to everyday challenges. In this community, you’ll build friendships, grow your skills, and gain the confidence to turn your ideas into impact.

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 Richmond Quad in the Ellicott Complex, 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.

Live with people who share a part of your identity or lived experience.
These communities are centered on shared identity, culture, or background.  They offer a space of belonging, support, and celebration.

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.

When you apply for official on-campus housing, you will be able to list your preference for these areas if you are eligible. Spaces in all specialty areas are limited, so we encourage you to apply early. Please note that there are additional eligibility requirements for some Living Learning Communities.

When completing your housing application, select which Living Learning Communities you 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.

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.

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

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.

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