Continuing Student and Transfer Student Learning Communities
Updated: Jan. 13, 2020
Residential Learning Communities, or RLCs, in University Housing are a group of students who live together and engage in experiences focused around their field of study, career, identity, or personal interest. All students who live on-campus at Cal Poly are housed in a learning community.
2020-21 Communities
New! RLCs and their locations have been set for 2020-21! Next year, continuing students will have more RLCs to choose from — including college-based communities in campus apartments. Check out the maps below to see where your preferred living communities will be located:
Cal Poly Scholars:
Continuing students only
Location: Aliso, Buena Vista and Inyo
Invite-only: Cal Poly Scholars provides a two-year residential experience for students from California. The key goals of this program are to build a personal support network for college success, foster an inclusive community of Scholars and develop knowledge and skills for lifelong learning. Cal Poly Scholars are welcome to invite roommates to the community that are not part of the Cal Poly Scholars program.
Cultural and Identity Scholars:
Continuing students and Transfer Students
Location: Dover
Offered in partnership with the Cross Cultural Centers, our Culture and Identity Scholar Communities provide opportunities — especially for underrepresented students on campus — to create cultural, social and academic connections. These communities also serve as safe spaces for students who identify within the Culture & Identity Scholars Community. We offer the following communities in the application:
- Asian-Pacific Islander Scholars Community
- Chicanx/Latinx Scholars Community
- Cross Cultural Scholars Community
If you are interested in being a part of the Black Scholars, SWANA Scholars, or the Native & Indigenous Scholars Community, we recommend selecting the Cross Cultural Community. Communities will be formed based off of student interest. If there is not enough interest in a specific cultural and identity learning community, students will be offered a space in the Cross Cultural Scholars Community.
College-based Communities
Continuing students only; All Majors Welcome
Locations: College of Liberal Arts (Gypsum), College of Science and Math (Estrella), College of Engineering (Corralitos), College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Science (Foxen), College of Architecture and Environment Design (Buena Vista), and Orfalea College of Business (Huasna)
Each college has its own Residential Learning Community in campus apartments! These six communities afford students the opportunity to live with others in their college/major, often sharing the same classes, while participating in activities that center around their academics, careers and social interests.
Engage
Continuing Students Only
Location: Romauldo
This social-based learning community provides an opportunity for students to connect through fun community events and become more integrated into campus life.
Pride Community
Continuing and Transfer Students
Location: Dover
Pride is a learning community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) identified students and their allies that specializes in strong community, leadership and identity development and education on issues pertaining to sexual and gender diversity at Cal Poly and in the San Luis Obispo community. This community features gender-inclusive apartments and programmatic offerings through the Pride Center and the Cross Cultural Centers.
Substance Free
Continuing and Transfer Students
Location: Bishop and Islay
The Substance Free community is for those committed to a living environment of wellness and having a great time without tobacco, drugs, or alcohol. Residents of the Substance Free community sign a Statement of Understanding and agree to live in an environment that is conscientious of the well-being of yourself and others by forgoing substances within the community — even if you are over the age of 21.
Transfer Program
Transfer students only
Location: Morro, Cabrillo and Hollister
For students who are transferring to Cal Poly from another college, this program gives students opportunities to connect and grow with other transfer students. Students living in this area will receive resources on academic/career support, campus resources and involvement that are specific for the transfer student.
