At Wagner College, the residence halls are not only a place to live, but also a place for active learning.The Office of Residential Education has created themed communities to offer a unique living environment where students can connect with one another and members of faculty through a common interest or passion. The purpose of themed housing is to extend learning opportunities beyond and complementary to the classroom and foster students’ intellectual as well as personal growth. The program provides students and faculty with a forum to exchange ideas, challenge one another, and share experiences about a variety of topics in a small group setting.
Each floor community in the program is centered around a different passion that the students, faculty, and staff may share. Whether it be exploring environmental issues, healthy lifestyles, or cultural advancement, Themed Communities offer students an opportunity to connect with others outside of the classroom.
The students, along with a resident assistant and a faculty member, develop and participate in programs and discussions consistent with the floor theme. Themed communities are different from the traditional floor communities in our residence halls as the students have applied to be a part of the community and are committed to exploration of the particular theme. Additionally, the staff and faculty associated with the floor share the students’ passion for the theme and work with the residents to plan events and discussions that are relevant.
Students living in a Themed Community become a part of a living and learning community that fosters student development, supports academic success, promotes responsible citizenship, and creates safe environments that spark their interests and can leave a lasting impact on their college experience.
What are the 2009-2010 Themes?
Music Community
First Year Students, Harborview Hall (new for Fall 2009)
Faculty Associate: Ernie Jackson
Current Resident Assistant: TBD
The Music Community offers an opportunity for residents to explore the diversity of musical genres in New York City. From hip hop to classical, from musical theater to folk, the students on this floor will gain an understanding and awareness of a rich urban music scene. In addition, students will learn from exposure to the talent and passion of their peers on the floor. Although music and performance majors are welcome, we strongly encourage students who simply have an interest in exploring the music world to apply for this community.
Visual Culture Community
First Year Students, Harborview Hall (new for Fall 2009)
Faculty Associate: Sarah Scott
Current Resident Assistant: TBD
More information coming soon...please check back later!
Wellness Community
First Year Students, Harborview Hall
Faculty Associate: Steven Jenkins
Current Resident Assistant: Justina Licata
The Wellness Community is a place where healthy lifestyles are encouraged physically, socially, intellectually, and spiritually. This Community helps floor residents make educated life choices while promoting healthy living. Activities will focus on aspects of personal wellness including physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Students living on this floor must commit to a substance-free and smoke-free standard of living within the context of this supportive community. Wellness Community residents will have opportunities to socialize and learn amongst a group of like-minded peers.Successful events with this community have included Healthy Eating in NYC, Organic Cooking, the Bodies Exhibit on the South Street Seaport, and participation in the FakeTini: A Taste of Sober event.
Quiet Community
First Year Students, Harborview Hall
Upper-class Students, Towers Hall
(both floors are new for 2009)
The Quiet Community provides an environment for participating studetns that emphasizes a commitment to academics through a climate conducive to studying and learning. Students will develop and implement community standards unique to this community that support a respectful, 24-hour quiet study atmosphere.
Honors Community
Upper-class Students, Guild Hall
Faculty Associate: Erica Johnson
Current Resident Assistant: Mehgan Sobel
While all residence hall experiences are designed to support the academic mission of the College, the Honors Community focuses on personal scholarship and leadership development. Comprised of students with a 3.5 or higher GPA (as of the Fall semester prior to housing lottery), the members of this community of scholars are committed to the academic experience. The Honors Community offers students the opportunity to build stronger connections with their peers through academically enriching programs. Participation in this community will expose students to a holistic learning environment where intellectual curiosity and personal growth is supported. A student does not have to be a member of the honors program to apply, however we do encourage current honor students to consider joining the community. This community has developed events such as Sunday New York Times and Bagels, Museum Trips, Rhodes/Merit Scholarship Information Sessions, Presidential Debate Viewing, a Wine and Cheese Event (for students over 21 yrs of age), and a Book Discussion.
Green Community
Upper-class Students, Guild Hall
Faculty Associate: Dr. Don Stearns
Current Resident Assistant: Dave Hammill
The Green community provides a living and learning environmment for students interested in sustainability and environmental justice. Residents of this community will learn about the impact of daily decisions on the earth and its resources, while working towards reducing their own impact through innovative conservation practices. The goal of the program is to bring students and faculty together in a variety of structured and informal ways to explore issues such as global environmental change, policy and management of natural resources, sustainable rural and urban environments, and environmental leadership. Events that have been initiated on this floor in the past have included Earth Week, Farmer's Market Trips, an Environmental Film Series, Bottle and Can Recycling at Homecoming, and a Greenhouse Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more information?
You can contact the Office of Residential Education at any time with questions.
Why should I apply?
This program is an excellent way to connect with new people around campus, develop a strong relationship with a faculty member, and share something in common with the other students on your floor. Additionally, the events taking place on your floor will relate to the theme. This program offers Wagner students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom as well as become a part of a strong floor community that supports the academic experience.
How do I apply?
First year students interested in applying to live in a themed community must complete all housing paperwork (Undergraduate Housing Application, Housing Agreement, health forms) in addition to this Theme Housing Application and submit all documents no later than June 1. Students will be notified of their application status along with their room assignment in late July via mail. If a student is accepted to a theme floor, that acceptance is binding.
Upper class Students interested in applying to live in a Themed Community must follow the same process as students applying for traditional Housing Selection. The difference in the application processes is that students applying to theme housing must submit all necessary housing information before the traditional housing deadline.
In addition, students applying for a themed community must complete the Theme Housing Application Cover Sheet and include it with the required housing forms. Students will be notified of their application status before the traditional Housing Selection process begins. If a student is accepted to a theme floor, that acceptance is binding and the student will not need to go through the lottery process.
How is this different from the Learning Communities (LCs)?
The LCs are thematically-linked courses that relate to your academic curriculum. This program is based on your living environment in the residence halls and is not directly related to your academic program.
Is there a cost for participation?
No. Living on these floors costs the same as living on any other floor in Wagner housing.
Does it affect my classes?
This program enhances your classroom experience as opposed to interfering with coursework.
