Office of Leadership & LearningFirst-Year Communities
First-year students at Old Dominion University can apply to join the following communities through their housing application. Please explore the information below to find out more about each specific community.
Business Living-Learning Community
Business Living-Learning Community
Explore the world of business and public administration. Hands-on learning and team-building activities will strengthen academic and social connections to help you prepare for and enter the business world. This community is located in England House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student enrolled in a major with the Strome College of Business
- Will need to enroll in a specific section of BUSN 110: Introduction to Contemporary Business
Community Partners
Cybersecurity Living-Learning Community
Cybersecurity Living-Learning Community
Explore cybersecurity concepts in and out of the classroom! First-year students interested in the growing career field of cybersecurity should consider this community. This community is located in Owens House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student interested in the field of cybersecurity (ideal majors include: cybersecurity, cyber operations, and cybercrime)
- Transfer students and upperclass students in these majors are also eligible for a select number of spaces
- Will need to enroll in a specific shared sections of CYSE 100: Cyber Explorers & University Orientation, CYSE 200T: Cybersecurity, Technology, and Society, and CRJS 215S: Introduction to Criminology
Community Partners
Engineering Living-Learning Community
Engineering Living-Learning Community
This community brings together first-year students interested in all areas of engineering. Take part in co-curricular activities that will give you an edge in achieving success in the competitive field of engineering. This community is located in Owens House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student with intended major within the Batten College of Engineering & Technology
- Engineering LLC students must have the academic credentials to begin at a math level of pre-calculus or higher
- Earn ALEKS-PPL Proctored test score of 46 or above to be put into MATH 162M (Pre-Calculus I) or above; Learn more about ALEKS-PPL requirements for Engineering students here
- Will need to enroll in a specific shared sections of ENGN 110: Exploring Engineering Technology and a math course (math placement based on ALEKS-PPL)
Community Partners
Gaming Living-Learning Community
Gaming Living-Learning Community
This community is ideal for first-year students who have an interested in the game design industry. If you see yourself being innovative or designing the next big game, this community is for you! This community is located in Owens House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student with a strong interest in gaming. Must be able to accommodate enough electives or have required courses within its curriculum
- Transfer and upperclass students in Game Studies are also eligible for a select number of spaces in the community
- Will need to enroll in a specific shared section of GAME 201T: Introduction to Game Studies
Community Partners
Health Professions Living-Learning Community
Health Professions Living-Learning Community
This community is ideal for first-year students interested in health and health-related majors. Live, network, and study together in a supportive, peer-led, collaborative environment. This community is located in Owens House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student with a major within the College of Health Sciences
- Transfer and upperclass students in these majors are also eligible for a select number of spaces in the community
- Will need to enroll in a specific shared sections of HLTH 101: Introduction to the Health Professions, SOC 201S: Introduction to Sociology, CHEM 105N/106N: Introduction to Chemistry Lecture/Lab & HIST 104H: Interpreting the American Past (for some in the community)
Community Partners
ODU F1RST Living-Learning Community
ODU F1RST Living-Learning Community
This community is for first-year First-Generation college students. Develop career aspirations and goals, gain greater awareness of campus and academic resources, find and develop mentorship, feel supported, and ease your transition to college. This community is located in England House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year, first-generation college student that meets the course requirements
- Will need to enroll in a specific shared sections of COMM 101R: Public Speaking, ENGL 112L: Introduction to Literature, and UNIV 100: University Orientation
Community Partners
Perry Honors College Theme Community
Perry Honors College Theme Community
Develop leadership, social and cultural skills by living in an environment that compliments a rigorous and stimulating academic curriculum. This community is located in Virginia House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be apply and be admitted to the Perry Honors College
- Must maintain good standing in the Perry Honors College
Community Partners
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Theme Community
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Theme Community
This community provides a solid foundation for incoming first-year ROTC students who want to extend their experiences in building strong and positive campus connections through leadership and mentorship. This community is located in France House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student participating in the Army ROTC or Navy/Marine Option ROTC program
- Army: Fall - MSL 101, Spring - MSL 102, Army ROTC students can email armyrotc@odu.edu for more information on participating in the program
- Navy: Fall - NAVS 101, Spring - NAVS 320, Navy/Marine Option ROTC students must apply and be accepted into the program.
Community Partners
Sciences Theme Community
Sciences Theme Community
This community is for first-year students majoring in biology; chemistry; computer science; mathematics and statistics; ocean and earth sciences; physics, or psychology who are seeking co-curricular activities connected to their career goals. This community is located in England House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Must be a first-year student with a major within the College of Sciences to participate
Community Partners
Service-Learning Theme Community
Service-Learning Theme Community
The Service-Learning Community promotes a vibrant community of social conscious ODU citizens. The goal of service-learning at ODU is to educate, engage, and equip our campus community with skills and experiences that connect rigorous academic curriculum with meaningful and tangible public work, to strengthen our students and communities for a sustainable future. This community is located in Ireland House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Any student interested in public and community service
- Educational and social events are provided for students throughout the year and participating students will choose from various experiences to fulfill requirements of living in the community
Community Partners
Spectrum Theme Community
Spectrum Theme Community
Embrace diversity in a safe and affirming environment that brings together LGBTQIA+ students and straight allies to freely explore issues of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and their intersection, while advocating for awareness and social justice. This community is located in Virginia House.
NOTE: This community does not assign rooms based on sex/gender assigned at birth/gender marker. By agreeing to live in this community, you agree to potentially be assigned a room with students of a different birth gender.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Returning students to the community are required to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Educational and social events are provided for students throughout the year and participating students will choose from various experiences to fulfill requirements of living in the community
Community Partners
Wellness Theme Community
Wellness Theme Community
This community is for first-year students who are seeking to gain a better understanding of holistic wellness and how they can live will in all aspects of their life. This community will offer activities and workshops to educate students on various dimensions of wellness and is made for those who are seeking a community focused on living a well lifestyle. This community is located in France House.
Requirements to Join the Community
- Any first-year student interested in student organization involvement and/or exploring various concepts of wellness
