(1) Why should my student join a Learning Community?
(2) What are the key components of FAU’s Learning Communities?
(3) What is SLS1503 – Learning Strategies & Human Development class?
(4) Does the Learning Community cost extra?
(5) How can I encourage my student to join a Learning Community?
(6) What research/evidence is there that demonstrates that Learning Communities impact student success?
(7) What if my student doesn’t join a Learning Community?
(8) Who organizes the FAU Learning Communities?
(9) Sounds great! How does my new FAU student register in a Learning Community?
FAQ’s for Parents - ANSWERS!
(1) Why should my student join a Learning Community?
Joining a Learning Community helps students make a successful transition to FAU. The freshman year is an exciting time in every student’s life; knowing this FAU provides specific opportunities to this student population to ensure their success and enjoyment of their freshman year.
When your student joins an FAU Learning Community – they have a clearer idea of what their freshman experience will be like at FAU! The Learning Community program helps students with all aspects of their college experience: from choosing classes, connecting with faculty & staff, exploring their interests, getting extra help, and connecting to FAU. The Office for Student Retention staff (as well as the many FAU staff and faculty we partner with) are committed to the holistic success of your student!
Finally, your student should join a Learning Community because it will help them acclimate and thrive in all aspects of their freshman experience. Your student will receive a tailored FAU experience that they can manage and will be invited to participate in special events and workshops designed solely for Learning Community students throughout the semester.
(2) What are the key components of FAU’s Learning Communities?
What is a Learning Community? A Learning Community is a cohort of students connected through shared academic pursuits or personal interests. The community is linked through a cluster of courses, totaling 12-14 credits. It generally consists of an English composition course (ENC1101), a one-credit first-year experience course (SLS1503), and approximately three other courses that will help students fulfill their “FAU core curriculum” academic requirements.
To learn more, use the Student Links in the side-menu to navigate this site to find out the specific components of each Learning Community,
(3) What is SLS1503 – Learning Strategies & Human Development class?
The first-year experience course (SLS 1503 – Learning Strategies and Human Development) emphasizes skills that are necessary in making the transition from high school to college, both academically and socially. Since most students within your learning community are majoring in the same area and taking the same courses, the SLS instructor will tailor the SLS course to meet your needs and the needs of the other students in your community.
(4) Does the Learning Community cost extra?
NO! There is no additional cost to join a Learning Community. For students that register in an FLC; they simply pay regular tuition for the classes they take with the LC. For students that register in an LLC; they pay regular tuition for their LC classes and regular Housing fees (based on their room selection).
The additional programs and resources that the LC students have access to are truly a direct result of FAU campus collaborations and partnerships that have been established across the University campus.
(5) How can I encourage my student to join a Learning Community?
While we recognize that the Learning Community experience is not for every FAU freshman, here are some talking points that you can use to help your student determine if there’s a LC that’s right for them!
- Class schedule
- Connect with staff- Make friends fast- Easy access to campus resources- Meeting new people- Specific personal interests- Special campus events- Leadership opportunities- Academic support
(6) What research/evidence is there that demonstrates that Learning Communities impact student success?
- National research has shown that participation in an LC positively impacts students’ academic performance and overall retention (when compared to non-LC students)
- Many FAU Colleges use LCs as a means to recruit the best and brightest students into their major(s) - Students are attracted to the special opportunity to connect with academic staff and faculty
- With an LC, faculty and staff offer new and innovative programs to their captive population (internships, research assistants or participants)
- LCs can ensure that students establish strong connections and commitments to their College or major
- LCs help facilitate the transition of students into the FAU community, providing them with a solid foundation for academic success in future semesters
- Faculty have greater opportunities to form mentor relationships with students that are actively engaged and captive to their experiences
- LC students have a higher appreciation for diversity, more advanced critical thinking abilities, a stronger commitment to civic engagement.
(7) What if my student doesn’t join a Learning Community?
We understand that the Learning Community experience isn’t for every incoming FAU freshman! You can feel confident in that the FAU community offers programs that will support your student as they begin college. You can help you student get connected to FAU by ensuring that they sign up early for Freshman Orientation (offered throughout the summer), which is when they will have the opportunity to visit the FAU campus, meet FAU staff, choose and register for classes, and learn more about what to expect from their FAU experience.
Regardless of whether your student joins a Learning Community, it’s important for you to know that you can help them succeed at FAU by acting as a partner in their experience – check out the “Parents as Partners” program and register for the listserve to get connected today!
(8) Who organizes the FAU Learning Communities?
Currently, the Office for Student Retention is responsible for coordinating the Learning Community programs at FAU. Both the Assistant Director (Brooke Crossman) and Coordinator (Alana Barnes) of Student Retention focus primarily on establishing the structure and support needed to make the LCs successful throughout the year. These 2 staff members teach SLS1503, recruit students, organize events/workshops, meet 1-on-1 with LC students, and register students for their LC classes.
Furthermore, there is a special LLC Steering Committee (a joint-effort with Retention and Housing) that meets throughout the year to help facilitate and monitor the success of the LLC programs offered to FAU freshmen.
(9) Sounds great! How does my new FAU student register in a Learning Community?
New FAU freshman are able to register for a Learning Community starting ANYTIME AFTER they have accepted their “offer of admission to FAU” (this is done online, using MyFAU).
To apply to the Learning Community program, students simply complete the Learning Community Application (indicating which LC they are interested in) and submit it to the Office for Student Retention. That being said, FAU freshman are encouraged to APPLY EARLY because many LC’s fill quickly and are limited to only 24 students each year!
