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aerial view of the center of campus

Living on Campus

Living in a residence hall will be one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Take a break from studying in your room to attend an educational program, participate in campus activities, or join a community service project.

While first and second year students are required to live on campus, over 3,300 students call one of our 11 residential communities home. Each hall comes with everything you need to be comfortable, productive and close to all the action on campus. 

Residential Communities

Who Lives On Campus?

All full-time undergraduate students are required to live on campus as outlined in the University Housing Policy. Research has shown that living in a residence hall helps students by:

  • providing them with crucial connections to campus resources, 
  • supporting their successful transition to college, and
  • offering engagement opportunities that are fun, while also adding to what they learn in the classroom.

Living and Learning Communities

Explore your passions, get involved, and make lasting friendships! 

Our Living Learning Communities provide students with the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom in a learning environment that becomes home. Make the most of your Laker residential experience by joining!

What is an LLC?

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are residential clusters of students living in specific halls who share a common interest, like well being! Students will be a part of a close-knit community that supports academic success, encourages personal growth, and fosters safe and supportive environments. Select communities have corresponding academic courses that help to further student exploration and growth related to specific LLC themes. All students, regardless of major, identity, or background, are welcome to apply for a Living Learning Community. All you need is a passion to make your community a successful and enjoyable experience!

Why participate in an LLC?

LLCs can make a campus feel smaller and more accessible and since they are open to first year students, they can also help make the transition from high school to college easier. Connecting in community is a powerful thing. At Oswego, we know that community connections are vital to your success. Joining an LLC is the easiest way to make friends, find community, and build a support system to maximize your college success. Students benefit from additional resources, support, and enhanced activities centered around a specific focus to elevate their Laker experience.

How to join an LLC
  1. Apply for housing by completing your housing application through the MyHousing portal.
  2. Consider which LLC community is for you and select the one you would like to participate in on your housing application.
  3. A confirmation will be sent detailing if you have gained membership to the LLC along with your building, room, and roommate information.
What LLCs are available?

For the 2023-2024 academic year we have two Living Learning Communities available. 

All In: Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally? Then our All In affinity housing might just be for you! Students in this Living Learning Community are able to explore and express their whole selves, including their gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientation in a supportive and affirming environment. 

Be Well: College is a new, exciting experience full of opportunities and challenges! So how do you take care of yourself while you are here? Sign up to live in the Be Well Living Learning Community so you can stay on track while juggling the demands of college.

Getting Involved

Students involved in a tug-of-war game

Students who live in the residence halls have endless opportunities to become involved within their hall, on campus, and within the Oswego community. Getting involved will help you to meet new people and will also help you expand upon your college experience. 

Our hall staff can provide you with the resources you need to get connected and get involved.

Community Council

Community Council is a student-run organization dedicated to advocating for the interests and needs of residence hall students while also providing opportunities for their personal growth and development. Community Council is committed to:

  • developing leadership
  • honoring diversity and inclusion
  • recognizing achievement
  • promoting scholarship
  • stimulating engagement and involvement among students who reside in the residence halls

Community Council meets regularly throughout the academic year to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and concerns. The Council represents the residential student population to SA (Student Association) and SUNY Oswego administration. Each Community Council is advised by a Graduate Assistant for Residential Education and receives a budget to implement activities as well as hall improvements.

Our Mission Statement

We, the student leaders and members of Community Council, share a common goal: to improve the quality of life for all students living in SUNY Oswego residence halls. We hope to strengthen communication between the Community Council and the residents whom we represent. We provide a voice for all residents to the administration and the greater SUNY Oswego community.

Our Goals
  • To foster community within and across residence halls at SUNY Oswego.
  • To enhance the residential experience at SUNY Oswego.
  • To support and provide students with leadership development opportunities.
  • To advocate on behalf of residents to the SUNY Oswego administration.
  • To create meaningful programmatic opportunities for students to connect with one another.
  • To instill a sense of belonging and pride in the residential community and SUNY Oswego.
Benefits of Joining

Community Council is a great way to get connected to other residents and make a difference in your community! Students who actively participate get to plan fun events for their peers, voice ideas for creating a better community and develop important leadership skills. Community Council is also a great resume-building experience. It helps students get involved early on in a SUNY Oswego leadership role that can help prepare them for other advanced opportunities. Students participating attend weekly or bi-weekly Community Council meetings and can expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours per week on Community Council.

To Get Involved

You can run for a number of Executive Board positions or volunteer to be a residence hall representative. Email [email protected] with questions, or speak with your Resident Hall Director. All new and returning residents are welcome to get involved and make a difference in their community!

Positions

President (Elected by Community residents)

  • Schedules, plans, and conducts Community Council meetings
  • Establishes agenda with input from the council, hall, and advisor
  • Develops goals and objectives for the academic year with input from the council, hall, and advisor
  • Delegates and clarifies responsibilities to appropriate members of the executive board
  • Maintains knowledge of university policies and procedures
  • Insures all council events and decisions are within university policies

Vice President (Elected by Community residents)

  • Serves as Community Council representative to Student Association
  • Reports to Community Council all Student Association discussions and activities relating to the residence halls and campus
  • Seeks concerns of the Community Council to relay to Student Association and represents the Community’s views on issues
  • Assumes responsibilities of the President if the President is absent

Treasurer (Elected by Community residents)

  • Manages the Community Council budget and keeps financial records
  • Insures purchases fall within university guidelines and are fiscally responsible
  • Approves funding requests in a timely manner

Secretary (Elected by Community residents)

  • Records minutes and notes during Community Council meetings
  • Shares meeting minutes to council members
  • Records and keeps a permanent file of all meeting information
  • Keeps attendance records

Residence Hall Representative(s) (Open to all residents, no election required)

  • Solicits feedback from Hall/Floor residents
  • Provides ideas and support for Community Council events and initiatives
  • Communicates information about events to Hall/Floor residents
West Campus Community Council
  • The Village
  • Oneida Hall
  • Onondaga Hall
  • Cayuga Hall
  • Seneca Hall
East Campus Community Council
  • Funnelle Hall
  • Hart Hall
  • Scales Hall
  • Waterbury Hall
  • Riggs Hall
  • Johnson Hall

Contact Us

303 Culkin Hall

315-312-2246

[email protected]