What is a learning community?
A learning community at Buffalo State is a cluster of courses designed around a common theme. All learning community students will be registered as full time students with at least 15 credits. All courses in the learning community are mandatory and must be taken in the same semester. The professors plan their curriculum to address the theme. They also plan co-curricular learning experiences that extend the learning outside the classroom. A learning community is an amazing experience that is difficult to obtain in any other setting.
Why should I join a learning community? What are the benefits?
There are many benefits to participation in a learning community. You will meet new friends, have the opportunity for close interaction with professors, be able to participate in co-curricular learning experiences, have built-in study groups, be around a community of scholars, feel an immediate sense of belonging, and have the opportunity for increased academic conversation outside of classes.
What is a disicpline-specific learning community?
A discipline-specific learning community is designed for students in particular majors. These learning communities include courses required in the first semester for that major. Buffalo State offers three discipline-specific learning community: Da Capo (Music Majors), The Anne Frank Project (Theater Majors), and Ways of Seeing, Ways of Acting (Art Education Majors). This is a terrific opportunity for students to work closely with their professors and peers in their major.
If I am in a learning community, when do I come to campus?
Move in day for learning community students only is August 22, 2011 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Learning Community Orientation is required for all learning community students and is on August 23 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. First Year Orientation is also mandatory and is August 24-26, 2011.
Who should join a learning community?
Learning communities are open to all incoming freshmen during the Fall semester. Learning communities are great for students who want to get the most of their freshmen year. See the benefits of a learning community for more information. Special populations (Honors, EOP, and athletes) should seek the advice of the appropriate advisor or counselor about participation in a learning community.
How do I sign up?
You may indicate your preferred learning community on the Orientation Registration Form to be completed on Banner. If you have already completed the form and have received a schedule, but did not indicate that you wanted to be in a learning community, please contact Dr. Lisa Hunter, Assistant Dean for Intellectual Foundations and First Year Programs (hunterlr@buffalostate.edu) with your Banner ID and your preferred learning community. You may also contact Dr. Hunter at 716-878-5906.
Is there a residence hall designated for learning communities?
Yes. One floor of a residence hall has been dedicated to the learning community program and includes lounge space, kitchen and a computer lab. Students who participate in a learning community and live on campus will be assigned to this residence hall.
Can I room with someone who is not in a learning community?
In most cases, yes. Residence Life will make every effort to accommodate special requests. Please contact Residence Life for more information.
Do you have to live on campus to participate in a learning community?
No. While many students choose to live in the residence hall designated for learning communities, commuter students are welcome to take part as well. Commuter students have access to the residence hall during certain hours and can consider it a "home away from home."
What classes will I take?
Each learning community includes a section of Foundations of Inquiry (BSC 101), College Writing I (CWP 101), and other general education or major requirements. Students who are placed in writing courses other than CWP 101 may still participate in a Learning Community. Please see the learning community website for more information (http://www.buffalostate.edu/firstyearprograms)
Why is the theme of the learning community important?
One of the goals of the learning communities program is to encourage students to appreciate the connections between many subjects, despite their apparent differences. Faculty members work together to emphasize these connections and to use the theme of the learning community as a "thread" to tie them together.
What is the "Integrated Hour?"
Each learning community includes a one-credit "integrated hour." All learning community professors meet with students for an hour each week to explore connections in the course material. Past learning community participants have called the integrated hour the "magic hour" where everything they are learning comes together.
I have heard that college classes are often very large. Will I get lost in the crowd?
One of the biggest benefits of the learning community program is that, with only a couple of exceptions, classes are limited to 25 or 30 students. Professors really get to know their students. Additionally, students attend classes with the same 25 or 30 students, which makes getting to know each other much easier.
Do I have to sign up for all the courses in an learning community? What if I do not want to take all the courses?
The program is designed to build community and deepen learning so the learning communities all the learning community courses must be taken in the Fall semester (with the exception of students placed in different writing courses). The classes have been chosen for their appropriateness for freshmen. The professors are enthusiastic about their subjects, so even if a course seems unappealing at first, chances are good students will find it interesting and valuable. Because of the theme, it is likely that you will quickly see how all the courses relate to each other and how beneficial the courses are to becoming an educated and well-rounded person.
What if I am not doing very well in one course? Can I withdraw from it?
Again, the goal is to keep all students together throughout the semester in order to maintain the community. If a student is struggling with course material, the LC community wants to help him or her succeed. Participants find faculty members and classmates willing to give time and support. Withdrawing from a course is permitted only if documentation of extenuating circumstances, such as illness, is provided.
Does the learning community provide me with enough courses? Can I take more classes?
A typical full-time load for a first-semester student is 12-15 credits (usually four or five classes). College classes are much more demanding than high school classes. It is a good idea for students to limit themselves to just the courses in their learning community for their first semester, so they can adjust to college level course work before attempting more credits. Students in the Da Capo Learning Community usually take additional, one-credit performance classes as determined during advising in First Year Orientation.
What kinds of professors will I have?
Professors come from diverse backgrounds with degrees from institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, University of Minnesota, Pennsylania State University, and even Buffalo State! They include published authors, department chairs, members of the administration, and prestigious teaching-award winners. All of the teachers in the learning communities program are involved because they are committed to helping students grow and succeed.
Is there extra work in a learning community?
All professors maintain the same standards as they do for students that are not in a learning community. You can expect your professors to help you reach your full academic potential.
