Learning & Theme Communities

Embedded within various residence halls, our learning and theme communities are residential spaces that bring together students around a specific focus and help make a large university feel smaller and more intimate. You’ll foster connections, find special events, and get plugged into campus in these unique programs designed to welcome and support you.

Note: we do our best to place students in the communities they rank in their preferences, however, we often see a large number of students preferencing the same buildings. Because of this, it is possible for students to be placed in any hall or community on campus, even if they did not rank or prioritize it in their preferences.

A group of people pose while holding weeds with a garden in the background.

Learning Communities

Co-sponsored by UW-Madison Schools and Colleges, faculty, staff, and residents are brought together around a specific focus with exclusive classes and faculty/staff mentorship. Most are available to students from any major.

Theme Communities

Students with common interests are brought together to foster engagement and learning around a theme without the academic elements of Learning Communities. Residents establish belonging through shared experiences throughout the academic year.

How to Join a Learning or Theme Community

All items must be completed by your due date (May 1 for most admitted students). You can be assigned to any room type in any of our residence halls or learning/theme communities even if you did not preference it.

Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing.
Rank the learning/theme communities you’re interested in when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
Prioritize learning/theme communities over residence halls when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
Complete and submit any required applications/agreements for communities you preferenced in My UW Housing.
Indicate if you want a random or preferred roommate in My UW Housing, and create/join a roommate group if you have a preferred roommate(s). Make sure all preferred roommates have matching preferences.

Note: learning community fees cover some of the costs of the additional services, programs, and staff that are made available to you while living in the community. Fees may be waived in cases of exceptional financial need by submitting a request for a fee waiver.

Learning Communities

In addition to our residence hall spaces and theme communities, learning communities are designed to enhance and connect your experience both inside and outside the classroom. By living in these communities, you’ll be surrounded by friends who share your interests, making it easier to relate what you learn in classes to your future career and putting you on the fast track to success.

BioHouse

Bond with other budding scientists! Nurture your passion for the study of living things, whether it’s plants, animals, health, microbiology, evolution, food genetics, or anything biological.

Business Connect

Designed for first-year direct admits to the Wisconsin School of Business, this community provides opportunities for mentorship, involvement, and resources in the School of Business.

Chadbourne

By fostering connections with faculty, students, and campus, the Chadbourne Residential College (CRC) offers a perfect combination of academics and social life in the heart of campus.

Essence

Bolster your sense of belonging on campus in this community for all students interested in learning about the Black diaspora and impacted peoples through events, dialogue, and community-building.

GreenHouse

GreenHouse is all about living sustainably. With a greenhouse on-site, teaching kitchen, vegetable farm, workshops, community meals, and special events, you’ll develop life-long skills.

International

Become a world citizen with friends from across the globe. Explore international cultures, take a class with a global focus, and immerse yourself in language by joining a language community.

Multicultural

A safe and welcoming space where you can gain an expanded worldview and build solidarity by engaging in themes of multiculturalism, social justice, inclusion, race, and identity.

Open House

In this inclusive community for all, you’ll find and create an environment of awareness, respect, and advocacy for all sexual and gender identities along with LGBTQIA+ students and allies.

Spark

Get involved in real projects here in Wisconsin and learn how UW–Madison is inspired to create solutions to needs within communities. See how community partners use campus innovations to benefit people, culture, and places.

StartUp

Develop the capabilities, confidence, and connections to launch your own venture. Explore majors, meet student & alumni entrepreneurs, and participate in innovation contests with others passionate about creativity and discovery.

The Studio

Collaboration fuels creativity in this artistic laboratory with students from all majors who share your passion for the arts. Get access to to creative spaces, resources, and connections that will allow you to find your creative voice.

WISE

A welcoming environment for students interested in women’s contributions in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Cultivate engagement in STEM for all and expose yourself to important contributions women have and continue to make in STEM.

Why Join a Learning Community?

Exclusive special events, for-credit seminars, and activities built around your interests
Co-sponsored by UW-Madison Schools and Colleges
Open to students of any major — focus on your major or explore subjects to find your path
Past residents report a high degree of satisfaction with their living experience and the support they received in exploring academic and career interests
Additional staff to help residents succeed:
- Faculty Directors: professors that provide leadership, discussion, and networking outside classes and office hours
- Program Manager: professional staff who oversee communities, plan events, and assist with career advising and academic support
- Learning Community Program Assistants: students who previously lived in a learning community who provide education, recreation, and support to new residents
- Peer Mentors: students who previously lived in a learning community who provide education and support to new residents in specific learning community seminars
Your level of involvement is completely up to you

Seminars

Enrolling in a learning community seminar is a great way to become more involved with your community. Every learning community offers a seminar that only residents in that community are able to take. The seminar is related to the topic the learning community focuses on, so participating is a great way to learn more about that topic while taking a class with friends you’ve made in your community. Students easily connect with faculty, the university, and community leaders in these mostly 1-credit seminars that easily fit into course schedules.

Class Sections

To view class sections and courses reserved specifically for your residence hall or learning community, visit our residence hall class sections page.

Participation Level

Each learning community has different expectations. All encourage participation in seminars so you can make the most of your experience as a member of that learning community. Regardless of which type of participation level is asked of you, seminars introduce you to your neighbors, facilitate conversations on the topic area, and are an easy and rewarding way to earn academic credit within your residence hall. We strongly encourage you to enroll in the seminar in order to make the most of your experience, but it is not required. If you have more questions, you should talk with your academic advisor.

Theme Communities

In addition to our residence hall spaces and learning communities, UW-Madison University Housing’s theme communities offer residents an opportunity to be their authentic selves without the academic elements of learning communities.

Gender Inclusive

Options intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ students and allies to select a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.

NDGNS

NDGNS offers all students an opportunity to learn about Indigenous voices and experiences with a focus on building community and relationships.

Pathway

For students admitted to Bucky’s Pell Pathway and BANNER scholarship programs, Pathway builds community and relationships, including co-curricular support to help you succeed.

Why Join a Theme Community?

Exclusive special events and activities built around community purposes
Students are brought together to be a part of a smaller, more connected community
Dedicated staff supportive of communities
Access to campus and community resources
Open to students of any major

Donations

Donations to University Housing learning and theme communities can be made through the University of Wisconsin Foundation at the link below. To ensure that your donation is processed correctly, follow these instructions:

The name of the learning or theme community you wish to donate to
In the Designation drop-down menu select Other – detailed below
In the large text box labeled, “If you would like to further restrict your gift…” you must type the following text:
- Fund #12906942

Donate