First Year Learning Community

Dear Class of 2016,

We are excited to announce the First Year Learning Community (FYLC) to all incoming Houghton students for the 2012-2013 academic year! The FYLC is a great opportunity for students to make connections between academic and social life at Houghton and provide for an intentional, fun and enriching experience during your first year at college.

You can register online today or we will have a table set up at Transitions 101 (May 25 or June 1) if you want to talk to someone in person before signing up.  Space is limited and we are accepting students on a first come, first served basis.

If you are interested and have more questions, please feel free to email us at housing@houghton.edu or call Residence Life & Housing at the number below.

We look forward to meeting you in the upcoming months!

Gabriel Jacobsen
Director of Residence Life & Housing
 gabriel.jacobsen@houghton.edu
585-567-9220


First Year Learning Community 2012-2013

You probably already know that a lot of learning happens outside the classroom. It takes place in conversations with friends over dinner, in residence hall lounges, in study groups, and with professors after class. The First Year Learning Community (FYLC) seeks to help students make connections between what happens in the classroom and the out-of-class experience in college. What would it be like if some of your classes were designed to more seamlessly explore what it means to learn together in community? Or if everyone spent time together outside of class? How might your learning be enhanced if your professor came to your residence hall to teach? If these kinds of experiences interest you, the FYLC is for you!

The FYLC is a voluntary program in which students take two Integrative Studies (IS) Courses each semester together with the students who live on their floor in the residence hall (females on a designated floor in Gillette Hall and males on a designated floor in Shenawana Hall) and participate in a few activities outside of class—viewing and discussing a film, having meals together, attending a campus lecture or athletic event, reading the Houghton Reads selection, or even taking a field trip. Professors come to the residence hall to teach and there is a common area for study groups or just hanging out.

The FYLC is a great way for you to ease into the new routine of academic life at college, grow closer to a group of fellow students through common experiences inside and outside the classroom, and to develop better relationships with faculty and staff within the Houghton Community. Come experience the benefits of living and learning together in the FYLC!

Here are some of the details:

What are the benefits of the FYLC

  • Living with students who share your passion for learning.
  • A smoother transition into academic life in college.
  • A richer freshman experience.
  • A built-in community and a good way to make friends.
  • More contact with college faculty and staff outside of the classroom.
  • An environment where you can excel in your courses and find natural study groups.
  • Studies show that those participating in first year learning communities have higher grades and a higher chance of graduating college.
  • Students who are undecided regarding their major will have an opportunity to explore various subjects as they make a decision.
  • Classes taken in the FLYC will fulfill Integrative Studies requirements

Academic Requirements

  • Students participating in the First- Year Learning Community must be enrolled in two designated Integrative Studies courses in the fall semester, and two in the spring semester (see below for specific courses).
  • Participants are expected to make a full-year commitment to the FYLC.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained to remain in good standing in the Learning Community.
  • Students may not be enrolled in honors programs.
  • Students are required to participate in all faculty-scheduled community activities.

Courses for 2012-2013

Fall 2012: 6 Credit Hours

  • (4) Biblical Literature (counts toward IS Faith Foundation requirement)
  • (2) Western Civilization I (counts toward IS Culture requirement)

Spring 2013: 6 Credit Hours

  • (4) English course OR (4) Writing in the Liberal Arts (to be determined)
  • (2) Western Civilization II (counts towards IS Culture requirement)

Find out more detailed information on the Integrative Studies page.

Co-Curricular Expectations

  • Take the StrengthsQuest™ assessment and participate in a planned activity
  • Attend one fine arts event each semester as a group (including concerts, recitals, art openings, or literary readings).
  • Attend one intercollegiate athletic event each semester as a group.
  • Attend one extra-curricular lecture each semester as a group.
  • Participate in reflection on your learning experiences.
  • Attending a majority of arranged FYLC meals.
  • FYLC members will be given a chance to participate in planning what they do for the year.

FYLC Honor Code

Participants in the FYLC will be expected to commit to the following Honor Code:

"Because each participant in this community contributes to the learning environment of every other student, I will take active responsibility for my own learning, contribute to a positive and collaborative learning environment, and refrain from any behaviors or actions that detract from the learning experience of either myself or other participants."

Registration

To sign up for the FYLC, you can either sign up when you visit during Transitions 101(May 25 or June 1) or fill out the online registration form.  Registration will take place on a first-come, first-served basis so you have a better chance of getting in if you act quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the FYLC be different than the regular first-year student experience?

Participation in the FYLC will be different from the normal freshman experience in several key ways. It will include taking some of your required courses with the same students with whom you live. It will also include increased commitment to being intentional about your learning outside of the classroom. You will have more opportunity to spend time with your professors and will participate in various co-curricular activities. However, you will still have time to interact with people outside of this community and to experience the many opportunities that Houghton has to offer—including things like participation in clubs and organizations, intramural sports, Artist Series events, residence hall traditions, athletic competitions and campus employment.

I’m enrolled in an honors program. Can I still participate?

The FYLC is meant for non-honors first year students.  Scheduling conflicts would make participation very difficult for honors students.

Are there extra costs involved?

The only costs associated with participation in the FYLC would be the purchase of a journal, books for your classes and any meals purchased during field trips.

Where will classes be held?

Classes will be held in Gillette Hall.

What will the housing arrangements look like?

Students will be grouped in housing arrangements of roughly 10-20 students depending on the male/female ratios of enrollment. Females will be housed on a floor in Gillette Hall and males will be housed on a floor in Shenawana Hall. Roommates will be selected within each group using our roommate selection form that is filled out during the normal housing process.

How will this impact my academic schedule?

In most cases, participation in the FYLC will not significantly impact your academic schedule. Classes taken as a part of the FYLC fulfill Integrative Studies requirements that would have to be taken whether you participate or not. It also leaves room to take 8 or more credits of other classes each semester, so you can begin on classes for your intended major. For information specific to your particular situation, please consult with Academic Records to see if there would be any difficulty for your particular major.