Residing on campus provides a range of advantages, including convenient access to facilities like the recreation center and dining hall. Beyond these amenities, living on campus fosters opportunities to form new friendships and cultivate lasting relationships. Moreover, students who choose on-campus living often achieve higher GPAs and actively participate in their college experience.
To facilitate the development of friendships and enhance the college journey, we've introduced themed community areas. Established in the Fall of 2013 as affinity housing, these communities serve as a platform for students with similar interests or backgrounds to seamlessly blend their social and academic lives. Currently, we offer seven distinct communities, and additional details on each program can be found below.
It's important to note that choosing a specific community is optional. For those not interested, alternate placements on different floors will be arranged.
Freshman Community
The Freshmen Themed-community is designed to allow students in their first-year or have a freshman class standing an opportunity to build a community and find success within their transition into LSU New Orleans. This community builds space for our new Privateers to make connections, better understand the University and the city of New Orleans, and work together in navigating the challenges they face being a new student.
Global Education & Transfer Student Community
The Global Education & Transfer Student Themed Community focuses on providing transfer and international students with a living experience focused on belonging. Residents will be able to interact with students from all over the country and the world through programming and a living common space. This community is a dynamic place for students to enhance their intercultural competence and cross- cultural communication skills.
Honors Wing
The Honors Wing is designed not only to challenge academically astute students, but also to provide a platform to network and create social connections. This environment for like-minded people assists students with socializing and creating lasting bonds of friendship during their college experience and beyond. Meet lifelong friends, form study groups and get involved, all while enjoying the benefit and prestige of living in an Honors Community.
- Honors Community Qualifications
In order to qualify to live in the Honors Community, one must actively petition the Honors Program for membership. The criteria for petitioning membership in the Honors Program are as follows:
- Incoming first-year students qualify to participate in the honors program if they have a composite ACT score of 26, or an ACT English section score of 28, or an ACT Math section score of 28, or a SAT score of 1170 (from two sections in MATH and CRITICAL READING).
- Continuing students (second semester and beyond) and transfer students qualify with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and above. Students who do not meet these criteria may also qualify with permission from the honors director. Additional details about participation in the University Honors Program at LSU New Orleans can be found on the University Honors website.
All recipients of the Homer L. Hitt scholarship award will be admitted into the Honors Program in recognition of their strong academic record.
LGBTQIA+ Community
The LGBTQIA+ themed-community is one that aligns with our department’s core values of community and inclusion. Students identifying with the community and their allies can find this space to be one that is welcoming, inclusive, and provides opportunities to make meaningful connections and promote identity development.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
The STEM themed Living Learning Community floor brings together students who want to understand current science, technology, engineering and mathematics trends, develop stronger connections to their classmates and faculty and participate in daily life of the STEM community. Through the partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences, you’ll meet local scientists, engineers, and policy professionals and have the opportunity to participate in programs which expand the in-class learning.
Visual & Performing Arts Community
The Visual & Performing Arts community is home to creative individuals looking to hone their skills and spread the joy of the arts to others. Exploring the philosophies behind art as well as strategies and skills will assist these students turning their passions into successful careers. The Visual and Performing Arts Community is open to Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors of all artistic skill levels and majors.