Learning Communities and Theme Housing

Learning communities and theme housing floors connect students around a common interest, build community, and enhance classroom and co-curricular learning. Residents living in learning communities or on theme housing floors are expected to participate in activities and meetings. These communities are student-driven.

The following communities are available to sophomores, juniors and seniors for 2008–2009:

Antonian Honor Learning Community

Whitby Hall, fourth floor
Participate in educational and social programs that support your participation in the Antonian Honors Program. Connect with other honor students who are committed to building community. All official Antonian Honor students are invited to live on this floor.

Social Justice Learning Community

Rauenhorst Hall, second floor
Build community with other students who are invested in social justice and systematic change. Participate in active learning through a variety of on- and off-campus activities. Connect with faculty, staff and local social justice organizations.

Past activities include tours of local social justice organizations, "A Day in the Life" homelessness-awareness simulation, film and book discussions and community dinners. Students in the Justice in Action Core Minor are encouraged to live on this floor, but all students are invited to participate.

French and Spanish Theme Floor

Whitby Hall, third floor
Learn about the beautiful cultures of French- and Spanish-speaking countries. Strengthen your language skills, and connect with other students who are committed to building community.

While living on the third floor of Whitby Hall, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun and educational activities planned by community members and Residence Life staff. Past programs include: trip to Theatre de la Jeune Lune, conversation sessions, food sampling, art exhibits and foreign film nights.

Sisters in Faith: Catholic Interest Floor

Whitby Hall, fourth floor
The mission of the Sisters in Faith: Catholic Interest Floor is to provide an environment in which resident students may explore, strengthen, and celebrate their Catholic identities and spirituality.  The floor strives to foster an environment in which women committed to their faith are surrounded by support and able to live a balanced, faith-filled life at the College of St. Catherine.

Community programs and events may include, but are not limited to: evening prayer sessions, group Mass and brunch, Feast Day celebrations, retreats, Bible studies, speakers, discussion groups, community outreach projects, and programs focused on health and wellbeing. Overall, residents will strive to gain a greater sense of self, give service to their community, and learn how to utilize existing College and community resources to aid them in their academic and spiritual journeys. The floor will be first and foremost a safe, inclusive environment for all students to actively engage in, regardless of faith background.  As a Catholic women’s floor at a Catholic institution, the spiritual focus of the floor will be on the Roman Catholic faith; however, this community is open to students of all faiths.

New Community for First-Year Students!

French and Spanish Theme Floor

St. Mary Hall, fourth floor
This community will work in partnership with the French and Spanish Floor in Whitby Hall. Learn about the beautiful cultures of French- and Spanish-speaking countries. Strengthen your language skills, and connect with other students who are committed to building community.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun and educational activities planned by community members and Residence Life staff. Past programs include: trip to Theatre de la Jeune Lune, conversation sessions, food sampling, art exhibits and foreign film nights. Two Language Assistants from French and Spanish speaking countries will live on fourth floor St. Mary to provide additional assistance and programming.

Please contact our office by June 15, 2008 to sign up for a theme housing floor or learning community. Your roommate does not need to participate in theme housing to live with you on the floor.