First Year students who have been granted housing during the admission process meet the minimum requirements to participate in the Residential Learning Communities. However, for the Honors Community, students must be accepted in the Honors Program. More information on the Honors Program requirements can be found on their website.

Upper-class students may choose to live in the Social Justice Residential Learning Community.  During the housing process, students must apply to live in this learning community.

Residential Learning Communities are a housing option at Bridgewater State University where students live with other students who share their interests.  First-year students live in Woodward Hall, while upper class students interested in the Social Justice RLC live on the first floor of Scott Hall. The different Residential Learning Communities offer different programs and opportunities to cater to the needs of that specific community.

Students living in a Residential Learning Community have the opportunity to get to know faculty and staff in their area of interest and have unique opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research, volunteer projects, student clubs and organizations, and more.

At Bridgewater, there are three first year Residential Learning Communities and one upper-class Residential Learning Community. The Honors Program is housed on the 3rd floor of Woodward Hall. Students who are part of this community are part of the Honors Program at Bridgewater. Throughout the year, Honors Programming Assistants offer programs specifically geared towards this community and it’s specific needs. Programs are also facilitated by the Honors Center Faculty multiple times throughout the year giving the students the opportunity to engage with faculty both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Service-Based Learning Community is housed on the 2nd floor of Woodward Hall and is geared towards students interested in participating in extensive community service projects. Students have the option to participate in either a 1-Credit Course or in the certificate program. The course and certificate program meet to do both service projects and discussions on different service and social justice related topics. Students have the opportunity to work closely with the Community Service Center and are encouraged to create their own service opportunities.

The Science and Math Residential Learning Community in conjunction with the STREAMS (STudent Retention Enhancement Across Mathematics and Science) Program offers students majoring in Math or Science the opportunity to live among other students that have also declared Math or Science as their major.   This residential learning community will also offer first year students the unique opportunity to live on the same floor as upper-class Science and Math students that have chosen to live in this community to provide support to the first year students. This RLC will also provide its residents with Resident Assistants and Residential Mentors that are also Math and Science majors.

The Social Justice Residential Learning Community is a dynamic living and learning environment for upper-class students that want to make an impact on their communities.  Students will learn through participation in meaningful dialogues with faculty, peers and community members.  Social Justice RLC residents will acquire an understanding of social justice movements and social issues through their interactions with the Institute for Social Justice the community Service Center and tehir peers in the RLC.  Students in this RLC will live on the first floor of Scott Hall.

No! In fact, RLCs are meant to expand your experience and help connect you with opportunities and resources that otherwise would be difficult for you to discover on your own on this campus. Being part of an RLC helps connect you with faculty, staff and upperclassman that are interested in your success - academically and socially and personally. They can help you figure out how to make the most of your time at Bridgewater.

Students have said they feel a sense of belonging to a close-knit community that is very supportive, but they still have all the freedoms of other students living in the Residence Halls around them. They are able to make friends all over campus, pursue other interests, and select how much they want to get involved in Learning Community activities at any given time during the semester.

Depending on the Learning Community there are varying time commitments. For the Service-Based Learning Community students participate in at least 3 service projects throughout the semester and attend a few course meetings to discuss service related articles.

Students who participate in the Honors Learning Community are required to attend specific mandatory meetings a few times per year. Beyond that, what you get involved with is up to you, your schedule, and your interests. You will still have time to hold down a job, pursue other interests and have fun!

Please contact Justin McCauley at jmccauley@bridgew.edu for more information.