Living learning communities (LLC) and themed communities (TC) are specialized residential communities within our halls that foster connections between a student's experiences inside and outside the classroom, prioritizing shared interests, academic pursuits, or lifestyles. While each on-campus residence hall maintains its unique identity, LLCs and TCs have a deliberate focus on specific topics or courses, facilitated by dedicated staff and/or faculty, with the majority of students being placed in one of these communities.
Students who engage in LLCs and TCs frequently experience elevated levels of academic achievement, exhibit higher graduation rates, and find it easier to establish meaningful connections with their peers. Here are detailed descriptions of the LLCs and TCs currently available:
LENS LLC
Students in this LLC take the same first-semester Engaging Seminar (LENS) class as others on their floor and acclimate to life at Berklee together. LENS classes are an opportunity for students to investigate ideas through the lens of a focused topic that is selected by a faculty member. Complementing their coursework, students engage in a variety of activities both in and out of the classroom that are designed to connect them to the Berklee community and help them thrive academically, artistically, and socially. Residents interact with their classmates and professors over meals in the dining hall or through special programming in the residence halls.
Core Music LLC
In the Core Music LLC, students are enrolled in a shared Ear Training I course during the fall semester, creating an opportunity for collaborative learning with their fellow floormates. In addition to resident assistants (RAs) on each floor to aid students in their college transition and provide support and resources, this LLC also provides dedicated core music tutors (CMTs) who work closely with the students. CMTs offer personalized one-on-one tutoring, organize weekly group tutoring sessions within the community, and facilitate programs that encourage student interaction and active engagement with the course material.
Healthy Living LLC
The Healthy Living LLC provides a substance-free environment for students who are dedicated to holistic wellness and interested in promoting healthy choices through programming and education. This community recognizes the significance of leading a healthy lifestyle for academic success, personal growth, overall well-being, and a sense of community. LLC members have the opportunity to develop a well-balanced life through workshops and programs focused on mental wellness, stress management, nutrition, physical activity, and more. By joining this community, students commit to abstaining from alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medication abuse, as well as refraining from introducing harmful substances into the living environment. The Healthy Living LLC is supported by a staff member from the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion and Services.
Social Justice LLC
The Social Justice LLC is designed for students who have a keen interest in exploring subjects like privilege, power dynamics, identity, systems of oppression, and driving social change. Within this community, residents will have diverse learning opportunities, including film screenings, attending performances, engaging in service projects, interacting with guest speakers, participating in article discussions, and attending workshops. Additionally, they will actively participate in dialogues with staff, faculty, and members of the Boston community, equipping themselves with the necessary tools to create positive change both within and beyond the Berklee community. This LLC is supported by a staff member from the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
First-Generation Student LLC
The First Gen LLC is available to incoming students whose parent(s), guardian(s), or immediate caregiver(s) have not previously attended or graduated from a four-year higher education institution. As a component of Berklee's RISE initiative, this LLC offers resources, events, and support systems specifically tailored to assist first-generation students in navigating the Berklee experience more smoothly. By providing these resources, the First Gen LLC aims to alleviate some of the challenges associated with being a first-generation student, enabling participants to concentrate on their academic and artistic endeavors.
Africana Studies LLC
The Africana Studies LLC provides an opportunity for first-year Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee students to reside together, sharing a common interest in Black creative expression and civic engagement. Within this community, students can collectively celebrate, explore, and affirm the Black student experience at Berklee and the wider Boston community.
Special Interest Themed Communities
Special interest TCs are designed to cater to students seeking a purposeful living environment where their roommates, floormates, and peers share common interests, passions, and goals. By residing in the same residence hall as individuals with similar career ambitions, classes, and objectives, students have the chance to build robust social networks while transitioning to life at Berklee. Residents in these communities receive proactive support and guidance from dedicated staff members who organize intentional experiences, programs, and outreach efforts centered around the specific themes of these communities.
Berklee is offering the following TCs for the 2023–2024 academic year:
- Health Education and Business
- Composition and Production
- Performance and Design
