Residential Life

Learning Communities

For most UVM students, the housing experience takes place in Learning Communities, which are designed to bring students with a shared interest together and—most importantly—provide a feeling of home.

Learning Communites are built around a common theme, faculty engagement, and easily accessible events and activities coordinated by a dedicated program staff.

These communities create opportunities for academic engagement outside the classroom, intentional integration of academics, enhanced student connection within themes, and thoughtful programming.

In late October, current on-campus students complete a housing and meal plan contract for the following year. Beginning in late January, incoming first-time, first-year students admitted for fall will be able to access UVM’s housing and meal plan contract after paying their acceptance fee.

EXPLORE LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Arts and Creativity allows you to cultivate your creativity and celebrate the arts while connecting with faculty, staff, and artists within UVM and the wider Burlington community.

LEARN MORE: ARTS AND CREATIVITY

Cultural Crossroads is where you can learn through special guest lectures, interactive dialogue, field trips, and more—while connecting with students, faculty, and staff from all over the globe.

LEARN MORE: CULTURAL CROSSROADS

The Honors College provides a multi-disciplinary academic challenge that complements and enriches the entire undergraduate experience. Students invited to the Honors College are also invited to live in University Heights North.

LEARN MORE: Honors College

Innovation and Entrepreneurship is where you can (in the birthplace of Burton and Ben & Jerry's) develop the next big idea that could solve a global problem, launch a business, or design the future.

LEARN MORE: Innov. & Entrepren.

Journey to Independence helps juniors and seniors prepare for life after college with opportunities to engage the local community, develop professional skills, and learn lifelong financial literacy skills.

LEARN MORE: JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE

Leadership and Social Change connects change-makers with on-campus clubs and area non-profits to explore and take the lead on issues that matter. The Dewey House for Community Engagement offers an enhanced experience in this community.

LEARN MORE: LEADERSHIP & SOCIAL CHANGE

Liberal Arts Scholars Program (LASP) Options for first-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences, students in these full-year programs dive deep into big questions through 4-6 connected courses or join a community to support their work in first-year science courses. Admission is by application.

LEARN MORE: LASP

picture of Outdoor Experience learning community

Outdoor Experience fosters a space for continual development of self, teamwork, and leadership. Residents who seek to become better students and an active part of their community—all while exploring the outdoors—will find a home here.

LEARN MORE: OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

Sustainability is a place where students can celebrate a connection to the natural world and seek to deepen and celebrate their sense of place—the built environments that we inhabit, and the natural landscape that surrounds us.

LEARN MORE: SUSTAINABILITY

a picture of Wellness Environment Parcitipants

Wellness Environment (WE) students are committed to keeping their living space a healthy place by focusing on healthy bodies and healthy brains. WE students study neuroscience and receive resources and incentives to live a healthy lifestyle. All students who enter WE in the fall are required to take COMU001: Healthy Brains, Healthy Bodies (HBHB) their first semester.

LEARN MORE: WELLNESS ENVIRONMENT

We expect more than 85% of our first-year students to live in one of the communities described above. But if you choose not to live in one of these communities, our traditional housing offers thoughtful, peer-led programming designed to give you a successful start at UVM.