Residential Education

A Culture of Learning

A unique area within the residential life staff, Residential Education oversees the residential study centers, the tutoring program and the residential learning community program; including supervision of the Academic Assistant and tutoring staffs. Residential Education coordinates the First Year Interest and Shared Interest Housing (SIH) learning communities. In addition, residential education staff serves as a liaison to several learning communities with residential components such as Acker Scholars, Honors College, Leadership House and Undergraduate Academies.

Study Centers

Campus Living study centers offer a quiet place to study or engage in small group work. We also provide resources to help student with academic transition issues. The residence hall Study Centers include the Blake Academic Success Center and Porter Study Lounges in the Ellicott Complex, the Jones Academic Success Center in the Governors Complex, and the Clement Study Lounge and Goodyear X on the South Campus.

Tutoring Program

Free tutoring is available Sunday through Thursday in each residential area; the Blake Center in Ellicott, the Jones Center in Governors and the Clement Study Lounge on South Campus. Tutoring is provided in various high demand subjects including chemistry, biology, English, physics, accounting, math and economics.

UB's Residential Learning Communities

First-Year Interest Communities

Students in these communities live together on the same residence hall floors and attend programs and events specifically designed for their area of academic interest, but do not necessarily share class schedules. Each group has a faculty/staff advisor. In addition to an RA, FYI communities are enhanced by student Academic Assistants who provide academic support through programming, tutoring and individual interactions. Our FYI Communities include architecture, engineering, management, health professions and first year exploration (for undecided majors).

Shared Interest Housing Communities

Similar to FYI communities, Shared Interest Housing communities are designated for students who share a common academic interest. However, SIH is designated for upper-class students and may be conceived, proposed and organized by students. These communities vary in size from a suite (8 students) to a floor (20+ students). Each SIH has a floor leader (designated by the group) and works with an Academic Assistant and a faculty/staff advisor to organize educational, social and community service programs. SIH Communities include Honors Corps, Architecture, Nursing, Acker Scholars, Undergraduate Academies and Combined Sciences.