This learning community is offered through the Honors College. The Honors College is a small, intentional community of high achieving students - exceptional scholars who embody academic excellence. Learn about the Honors College and more ways you can engage with this exciting, strong community.
Honors Learning Community
The Honors Learning Community (HLC) is a place of residence for those who wish to pursue great conversation and big ideas with others. It’s an open atmosphere of students who are interested in all things a University can provide. From art to business, music to philosophy, dance to chemistry, and creative writing to math. This cosmos of passionate and learned students wish to excel through mentorship, guidance, discovery, adventure and conversation.
The HLC is offered through the Honors College.
Important Information
- First Two Years | $200
- Last Two Years | $75
- Residence Location | Founders Hall
Contact Us
- honors@bgsu.edu
- 419-372-8504
Our Mission
The mission of the HLC is to create a seamless educational environment that supports the goals of the Honors College. When one becomes a member of the HLC, this educationally motivated community comes alive as one shares their experiences of fascinating conversations in their small-size Honors classes. When one enrolls in the Honors College, it is highly recommended, however not mandated, to live in the Honors Learning Community.
The Atmosphere
Friendly, relaxed, supportive, respectful and fun. Social, cultural and intellectual events are offered to enhance the BGSU and the on-campus living experience. This creates a living learning community comprised of academically talented students, staff and faculty.
Community Highlights
- Direct access to Honors College faculty and staff
- Free access to computers, wifi, a meeting space, the Honors Den and books for use in common reading discussions
- Connect with the community through civic and service involvement, partnering with many student organizations on campus
- Participate in some of the most compelling and engaging discussions you could ever witness or take part in
Engaging Experiences
- Participate in fully-funded local and regional overnight trips. Past trips have been to Chicago, IL; Louisville, KY, Stratford, Ontario and other regional locations
- Field trips to plays, museums, musicals and community events
- Participation in book discussions, essay contests, and the “Great Ideas” dinner
- Enjoy peer-to-peer discussions, Honors faculty symposiums and nationally-recognized speaker forums
Honors Learning Community
Residential Requirements
Fee + Residential Fees
- First Two Years | $200
- Last Two Years | $75
Must live in the community?
- First Year: Yes
- Second - Fourth Years: No
Allows roommate pull-ins?
- No
Residential Requirement | The Honors Learning Community (HLC) is a popular option among both new and returning Honors College students. Honors College students are not required to live in the HLC. However, first-year HLC members are required to live in Founders Hall. Those enrolled in the the HLC after their first year at BGSU, can live anywhere, including Founders Hall.
Students who are members of the HLC must room with someone who is also a member of the community. Want to live with your friend who is not admitted into the Honors College? Have them apply to be a member of the HLC and you can be roommates.
About the Community | HLC students live in a diverse population in Founders Hall along with other highly ambitious and motivated students. Students work, live and hangout together to ease the transition to college life, while supporting each other throughout the honors program.
Founders Hall | Founders Hall houses nearly 600 residents and offers air-conditioned Single Rooms with a shared In-room Bathroom and six-person Suite-style Rooms. The hall features an Outtakes Quick Cuisine location and is close to the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, many academic buildings and the heart of campus.
Please note: Students accepted into the Honors College will be given priority for enrollment in the HLC. Those who are not admitted to the Honors College will be admitted to the HLC as long as space is available.
How to Apply
Each community has a set of residence hall rooms speifically designated for them. To sign up for one of these rooms, you must apply and be accepted into the community. To ensure your chance to live in the community, please review the following information.
Applying as a new, first-year student:
To apply to be a member of the HLC you will need to access the MyBGSU web portal. It is necessary for HLC members to live in Founders Hall and to be a member of the Honors College. Because of this, you must enroll in the HLC, sign up for campus housing, and apply to the Honors College in separate steps.
| Step 1 |
Complete your housing application |
| Step 2 | Apply here and login with your BGSU username and password |
| Step 3 | Click on Add a New Community Enrollment Request and choose your desired community and academic year/term |
| Step 4 | Once you have requested enrollment, please ensure that you have taken the proper steps to preference (New Students) or sign up for housing (Returning students wishing to live on campus). |
| Step 5 |
If you haven't already done so, please also submit your Honors College Application here. |
Additional Information:
As an incoming freshman, if you are in the process of applying to the Honors College, please do not wait for acceptance into the College to sign up for the Honors Learning Community. Those accepted into the Honors College will be given priority for the HLC. Those who are not admitted to the Honors College will be admitted to the HLC as long as space is available.
Returning Students can choose their preferred room during the Returning Student Housing Process during the Spring Semester.
Please Note: Not all who apply to the HLC will be admitted. Space is limited and fills quickly.
Learn More about our community
Live, hang out, learn, experience, adventure and excel. That’s all what we ask of you.
“A healthy social life is found only, when in the mirror of each soul the whole community finds its reflection, and when in the whole community the virtue of each one is living.” ~ Rudolf Steiner
Welcome to the Honors Learning Community. We hope you enjoy your personal exploration through our program. Even if you don’t attend BGSU, and even if you do and don’t join our community, we hope you find us to be a positive, uplifting and welcoming community. By combining academic vigor, critical thinking and amazing experiences, we aspire to be the premiere track for all students motivated to succeed.
Cool Experiences
In addition to direct access to Honors College faculty and staff, membership in the Honors Learning Community allows students to attend and participate in fully-funded local and regional overnight trips to plays, museums, musicals, and community events. Likewise, community members receive free access to computers, wireless access, meeting space, the Honors Den, and books for use in common reading book discussions. We also provide opportunities to connect with the community through civic and service involvement, partnering with many student organizations on campus. Finally, our community creates a positive environment to host some of the most compelling and engaging discussions you could ever witness or take part in. We host peer-to-peer discussions, honors faculty symposiums, and nationally-recognized speaker forums.
Past trips and experiences have included:
Stratford, Ontario
With William Shakespeare as its foundation, the Stratford Festival aims to set the standards for classical theatre in North America. Embracing our heritage of tradition and innovation, we seek to bring classical and contemporary theatre alive for an increasingly diverse audience. The overnight trip included two performances and a festival theatre tour.
Chicago, IL
The HLC spent a weekend in the Windy City! Chicago is known for the Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago Hot Dogs. This trip included a theatre performance, a visit to the Field Museum and a show at the Second City Comedy Club. There was also free time to explore the city.
Various Locations
In lieu of participating in the HLC sponsored overnight trips, students who choose to participate in a bGAG sponsored alternative break will be able to get sponsored through the HLC for up to $200.00.
Toledo, OH
The HLC watched the Toledo Mud Hens take on the Louisville Bats at Fifth Third Field and enjoyed a grand firework show after the game! The Mud Hens play in the International League and are affiliated with the Detroit Tigers franchise of Major League Baseball.
Toledo, OH
The HLC took a trip to Toledo’s Stranahan Theater to watch The Book of Mormon. This outrageous musical comedy followed the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the good word.
Common Reading Program
Each year, HLC members receive a variety of complimentary books to support their participation in book discussions, essay contests and dinners. Traditionally, members receive a minimum of two to three books.
Make HLC Your Community
We invite you to greatly impact our community through your wisdom, character and personality. We know you have a lot to offer, and as you continue on this adventure of collegiate success and beyond, we will be there as a supportive mechanism for your growth and mentorship. We believe that success is defined personally, whether that is finding life long friends, pursuing a life of service, curing cancer or making feature length documentaries. We want you to succeed, so join us.
Schedule a Visit
Deciding which college or university to attend is an important decision. Before you make your decision, you should consider all of the options available to you at the schools you are considering.
Schedule a visit with the Honors College to learn more about the privileges for Honors students, meet a staff member and take a tour of our learning community.
Individual visits may be scheduled by e-mailing us at honors@bgsu.edu or by contacting us at 419-372-8504.
RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY
Returning students are not required to live in Founders Hall in order to participate in the HLC. Membership during one year, does not guarantee membership in a future year. Returning students in the HLC will be provided information annually regarding housing and enrollment in the HLC.
LIVE AND LEARN WITH STUDENTS WHO SHARE YOUR PASSION
Join one of our Learning or Theme Communities and take advantage of unique opportunities designed to help you succeed in your personal, professional and academic lives. These communities are comprised of students who share a major or common interest.
Updated: 08/22/2023 11:49AM