Living and Learning Cohorts

Living and Learning Cohorts (LLCs) are student-led interest groups in a dorm where you live along with those participating in the same project. As members of an LLC, residents develop ownership for the achievements of their LLC and it is a great way to live and learn together with friends and roommates, independent of the classroom. The topic can be anything from Music in the City, Rollerblading Racers, the Green House, Movies that Matter, International Art and Culture, The West Wing, and so on. There are two types of LLCs:

LLCs for First-Year Students: Each dorm has thematic LLCs designed around the goal of completing an experiential learning project for its members. LLCs work to develop a business plan and budget proposal for the LLC approval process. This usually happens around October for freshmen, so keep your eye out and talk to your house proctor once getting to GW if this sounds interesting.

LLCs for Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors: The same opportunity is even more accessible as you age! At the end of freshman year, I started the Green House LLC, dedicated to living sustainably, promoting conservation, and community service. The university gives us a budget to do cool things, like shop at farmers markets, dine with local green business owners, and attend green movie screenings.

Some of our projects this year include: fundraising for a well in Kenya, working with our food service on campus to use environmentally friendly methods and dishes, and learning about ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint. We have been housed in Building JJ, the eco-friendly dorm on campus, which I will blog about soon!

To check out the application to start an LLC, look here. Some events hosted by LLCs in the past can be found here. Questions? Comments? marisaw@gwmail.gwu.edu

- Marisa