Jumpstart your JMU experience by participating in a Residential Learning Community! Students who participate in an RLC have the unique opportunity to live and take classes with a small group of students who share similar interests.
The benefits of living in an RLC include:
- Special interaction with faculty members
- A convenient, natural study group
- Community service possibilities
- A smooth start that weaves connections all across JMU
How to Apply to an RLC
The RLC Application can be completed when you are completing your First-Year Housing Contract on the Online Housing Portal. Contracts and applications are due by May 31, 2025.
RLC FAQs
Roop, Honors, Trelawny, MadisonBiz, and Madison International all offer ways for students to stay connected to their RLC community after their first year.
Yes, if you are both invited to be in the same RLC you can still room together. Please remember that you both must be in the same roommate group and mutually request each other in order to live together.
Incoming first-year students can apply online when signing their housing contract.
- Be sure to read about each Learning Community before filling out an application.
- Students are selected for Residential Learning Communities through a multi-step process.
- Completing an application does not guarantee a spot in a learning community.
RLCs vary in size from as few as 10 students to as many as 150.
RLC Faculty Coordinators determine the size of the communities from year to year.
Faculty Coordinators for each RLC will determine fun and engaging programming for students in their communities.
In the past, RLCs have hosted trips to:
- Kings Dominion
- Shows at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton
- The National Aquarium in Baltimore
- Hikes on the Appalachian Trail
- UREC’s Challenge Course
- Whale watching trips
- Locally situated service projects
No, in fact, your roommate is not required to be a participant in an RLC in order to live with you.
Yes!
Students who are involved in RLCs start college well and have the chance to build relationships with faculty members and peers in their residence halls right away. Additionally, many students quickly develop a sense of belonging and find a home at JMU through their RLC community.
Students involved with RLCs will receive information about how to select a Move-In appointment during the first week of August from the Office of Residence Life.
RLCs will move in before 'Weeks of Welcome' begins.
Mandatory welcome events are planned by Faculty Coordinators over the first several weeks of the semester.
Students will be notified if they have been accepted into an RLC by mid-June.
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Arts: Wayland Hall
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Haynes: Hoffman Hall
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Honors: Shenandoah Hall
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Madison International: Paul Jennings Hall
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MadisonBiz: Potomac Hall
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Roop: Potomac Hall
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Sports and Recreation: Paul Jennings Hall
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Trelawny: Shenandoah Hall
