Residential Learning Communities (RLC)

RLC Overview

The Office of Residence Life is dedicated to providing more than just rooms — we want students to truly feel at home. We are dedicated to ensuring our buildings are safe and vibrant environments that help foster student learning and development. We see educational opportunities all around us in the residence halls, from the fantastic programming our Resident Assistants offer, to the life skills students obtain when successfully navigating a roommate conflict.

Residence Life has partnered with multiple academic and administrative departments to design Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) housed throughout our first year residence halls. Residential Learning Communities are comprised of groups of students who choose to live on the same floor or in the same residential area. Learning opportunities are focused on a specific interest, academic area or major.

Participation in Residential Learning Communities offers several benefits, including:

Living with other students who share similar majors or interests
The opportunity to develop close relationships with other students in the community
Focused programming opportunities related to the Residential Learning Community theme
The opportunity to interact closely with faculty and staff members
Participation in exclusive site visits and field trips
Resident Assistants (RAs) chosen specifically for membership in the Learning Community

RLCs can assist in transitioning to Saint Joseph’s University and help stuents feel connected to the many resources offered on campus. Research shows that students who participate in Learning Communities are more likely to live in an enjoyable community, achieve a higher level of academic success from mutual discussion and study and have better relationships with faculty and staff members due to unique and creative programming opportunities.

RLC Application

The 2024-2025 RLC Application is now open. Applications are due July 3, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions, please email rlc@sju.edu.

Emerging Leaders RLC

The Emerging Leaders Residential Learning Community is meant to provide first-year students with the opportunity to develop meaningful leadership skills that will assist them in their transition to college as well as in future leadership positions and careers. Students living in this RLC will be able to interact with other campus leaders, gain a rich understanding of campus activities and involvement and will participate in events, programs and leadership workshops that will assist them in developing mature leadership skills. Past events have included:

Leadership panel with current Saint Joseph's student leaders
Resume building
Interview tips
United Nations tour in New York City
U.S. Capitol tour and Washington, D.C. day trip
Trip to the Newseum
Networking nights

Location: McShain Hall

Health Professions RLC

The Health Professions RLC is designed to provide unique programs, mentorship, advising, social and educational opportunities for students preparing for careers as healthcare providers. This community strives to bring health professions students together in a dynamic and engaging environment, while fostering exploration and connections, both on campus and within our surrounding communities. Priority for this community is given to students within the School of Health Professions.

Location: Villiger Hall

Romero Service & Justice RLC

The Romero RLC is home to students of all faiths, beliefs, and worldviews who are interested in community service, social justice, and advocacy work. RLC members will participate in service opportunities throughout the Philadelphia area and will benefit from unique programs designed to introduce students to complex social issues. Students will have the opportunity to interact with SJU faculty and staff as well as local community partners and service sites as they explore the process of social service and change. Students will be able to examine careers in social service and will learn how to infuse social justice into their lives no matter what career they ultimately choose.

Location: Villiger Hall

FAQs

Have a question about RLCs? Refer to this page for some of our most frequently asked questions about the RLC application process. If you have a question that is not reflected here, please contact Residence Life at rlc@sju.edu or by phone at 610-660-1060.

Residential Learning Communities (or RLCs) are communities in our residence halls that provide the opportunity to live with students and Resident Assistants (RAs) who are majoring in a similar discipline. All RLCs offer convenient study and social groups and community-building activities. First-year students have the opportunity to join an Emerging Leaders RLC, Health Professions RLC, or the Romero Service and Justice RLC. For example, students majoring in biology may be interested in applying for the Science RLC. The Health Professions RLC will be led by an RA who is majoring in a similar discipline and can provide insights and recommendations to incoming students. Activities designed to help health professions students improve their academic study and social connections are also provided within the Health Professions RLC.
RLCs are a great place for students to meet like minded students as well as receive mentoring from upperclass RAs. For first year students, RLCs can help ease the transition to college by providing an instant connection with a roommate, wingmate, and entire floor. More formally, there is at least one RLC specific program a month focused on the RLC theme/topic. Please visit each RLC page for additional information about events/programming.
You can access the RLC application here:
- 2024-2025 First Year RLC Application
RLC applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. To ensure your best chance of getting into an RLC, please apply early. Acceptances will be emailed to your Saint Joseph’s email account throughout late May and June. Once accepted, all members must respond to their offer email, confirming their space in the community.
Depending on the size and capacity of the community, most RLCs are between 40-80 students. All RLCs are co-ed.
Students in Residential Learning Communities are administratively assigned prior to the traditional housing selection process. All accepted RLC students will be removed from the selection process and will be automatically assigned a space with another RLC participant. Students accepted into an RLC can pair up with other residents who have been accepted into that RLC and will have the opportunity to indicate that they would like to live together.
Students in Residential Learning Communities are administratively assigned prior to the traditional housing selection process. All accepted RLC students will be removed from the selection process and will be automatically assigned a space with another RLC participant. Students accepted into an RLC can pair up with other residents who have been accepted into that RLC and will have the opportunity to indicate that they would like to live together.
While you would be able to attend some of the programs, a large portion of the community development happens by living in the community, so we are not able to offer an RLC membership to those who choose to live in a different building on campus. If you are a commuter student and would like to know your options for participation, contact rlc@sju.edu.
Connection through social media, orientation and the housing portal ‘search feature’ are the best ways to find fellow RLC students. While there is no search field in the housing portal for RLC membership, you can include it on your profile and it will be visible to other students. During the RLC housing selection process, many students enter the RLC knowing that they will have the RLC interest in common with any potential roommate.