What's a learning community?
A learning community at Buffalo State is a 13-credit-hour block of courses that addresses general education and basic skills requirements. Courses are integrated around a theme. Learning communities are designed for first-time, full-time students to ease their transition to college. Our learning communities have a tie-in with the residence halls
How do I sign up?
We expect to have 150-200 spots available in the LCs. These spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis at summer orientation. Ask your orientation leader about how to enroll.
Do you have to live in the LC residence hall to be involved with an LC?
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."
There's a residence hall designated for learning communities?
Yes. Two floors of a residence hall have been dedicated to the learning communities program and include lounge space, a new kitchen, a computer lab, and an office for LC faculty members—so they can spend some time there, too.
What classes will I take?
Each LC includes a section of ENG 101, the basic writing course required of most freshmen, and three classes that fulfill a portion of the college's General Education Core requirements. The courses are integrated around a theme.
What's the idea of the theme?
One of the goals of the learning communities program is to encourage students to appreciate the interrelationships between many subjects, despite their apparent differences. Faculty members work together to emphasize these connections and to use the LC theme as a "thread" to tie them together.
Where does the thirteenth credit come from?
Each learning community includes a one-credit "integrated hour." All four LC teachers and 25 students meet for an hour each week to talk about connections in the course material. This time is also used to discuss questions or concerns about adapting to college life or to share experiences that advance the theme of the LC.
I've heard that college classes are often very large. Will I get lost in the crowd?
One of the biggest benefits of the LC program is that, with only a couple of exceptions, classes are limited to 25 students. Teachers really get to know their students. Additionally, students attend classes with the same 25 students, which makes getting to know each other much easier.
Do I have to sign up for all 13 credits in an LC? What if I don't want to take all the courses?
The program is designed to keep students together, so the learning communities are an "all or nothing" proposition. 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.
What if I'm 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.
Is 13 credits enough? Can I take more classes?
A typical full-time load for a first-semester student is 12-15 credits (usually four to five classes). Since a learning community is 13 credits, it’s a good workload for a first semester. Almost every first-year student finds college classes more demanding than high school classes; that's the way it should be. 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.
What kinds of teachers will I have?
LC instructors are a mix of both relatively new faculty members and those who have worked at Buffalo State for many years. Professors come from diverse backgrounds-with degrees from schools like the University of Pittsburgh, University of Minnesota, Penn State, 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're committed to helping students grow and succeed.
