From the first semester of this year, SNU will implement the LnL initiatives, a pilot project for residential college (hereinafter referred to as “RC”). In the midst of human crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, this pilot project will remove the limitations of existing major-centered education. Moreover, this project will create an opportunity to build human relationships and share academic interests through co-living for students who have experienced long-term social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Combination of Residence and Learning: Residential Colleges 

Medieval universities moved to various regions following famous professors, who had traveled for teaching, and they began to establish their own institutions that combined residence and education to improve unstable conditions and support poor students. After the educational effect was recognized, the RC model emerged at Sorbonne University in Paris, France and at Oxford University and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. It has since spread as a universal undergraduate education model by leading domestic and foreign universities, including the Ivy League in the United States, in the early 20th century. 

A dormitory is a mere living space, whereas an RC is a space combining living and learning. An RC aims to realize holistic education by promoting volunteer activities, cultivating a sense of community, and offering various cultural experiences by connecting the living and learning of students beyond the framework of the existing dormitory, which has only provided students with accommodations and basic amenities. RCs can enhance the competitiveness of universities and offer improved educational services to students in the contemporary world where prestigious universities in advanced countries enter the emerging education markets and swiftly promote the internationalization of education.

Various Programs to Realize Holistic Education 

Considering the advantages of an RC, SNU will implement “Living & Learning (LnL),” a pilot project that harmoniously integrates housing with learning, from the first semester of 2023. LnL aims to develop an alternative RC for SNU that benchmarks the strengths of overseas RCs while adding new innovations and Korean and human values. SNU will plan to build up measures for creating an efficient RC model.

Students participating in LnL are required to take extra courses in addition to regular classes. In the first semester, “Gwanak Group Lecture: Community” is held weekly, which is equivalent to 2 hours and 2 credits. In  this course, lectures and seminars will alternate during the semester, and after the discussion with a sub-divided group of 6 to 7 students during each seminar, the detail of the discussion is shared with the entire class under the guidance of a teaching assistant. In the second semester, “student-led seminars” will take place, which reflect the characteristics of LnL. The entire process related to this program is led by participating students, ranging from its planning and design to recruitment of participants to its operation, which will be supported by teaching assistants and dedicated professors. Furthermore, SNU plans to induce various activities for both the whole and class levels every month, such as sports competitions.

- Group Counseling Workshop: Expand self-understanding and relationships through group counseling  - Diversity within Us: Promote understanding of various topics, such as people with disabilities, LGBT people, and vegans from an open viewpoint - Every Country Worldwide: Enhance mutual understanding through human and cultural exchanges with international students - Reading Seoul through Housing and Cultural Heritage: Explore various areas of Seoul to broaden understanding of traditional architecture and modern residential culture - Independent Living Design: Offer opportunities to learn and share experiences about housekeeping and economic activities as independent adults - Dorm Swap: Promote mutual visits to overseas sister RCs during vacation Topic examples of student-led seminars dedicated to LnL in second semester

Alternative RC for SNU to overcome the university crisis

According to the recruitment announcement made last January, 26 students were selected, and approximately 250 freshmen will be added at the end of February. 13 classes are organized, and 20 freshmen, 2 current students, and 1 graduate teaching assistant are assigned to each class. One class of 23 students resides on each floor of the renovated 906 Gwanak Residence Halls. Students will move in on February 26 according to the new student move-in procedure for the Gwanak Residence Halls. In the future, SNU plans to reconstruct dormitories 920–926 into living spaces that can accommodate 3,000 people and widely expand the RC project by 2026.

The alternative RC and LnL for SNU will remove the limitations of existing major-centered education in the midst of challenges and technological innovations surrounding humanity, such as pandemics, climate change, and AI. More importantly, for students who have experienced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this project will provide an opportunity to share various human relationships and academic interests through co-living and transform the entire campus into a convergence-type and holistic educational space. As indicated in the value of a RC, which aims to allow students to acquire a wide range of knowledge through the integration of living and education, we expect students to experience a sound community and develop their potential and talent through LnL.

 

For inquiry

E-Mail: lnl@snu.ac.kr

Website: LnL notice board at Gwanak Residence Halls

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q. Is the existing dormitory and LnL application separate? A. You may apply separately for LnL and Gwanak Residence Halls. Q. Can residents in Seoul and the metropolitan area apply? A. Because LnL emphasizes education and community experience rather than living in a dormitory, students are selected regardless of their residential areas. However, residents in the metropolitan area will be restricted to less than 40% in selection. Q. Do I need to fill the 1-year period during participation in LnL? A. Unless there are any unavoidable situations (such as military service or illness), we make it a rule to complete both curricular and extracurricular activities over the entire period of two semesters. The LnL certificate is to be issued only to students, who have completed two semesters. Q. Can I stay in the dormitory during vacation? A. LnL is a one-year program, basically requiring students to stay during vacation. However, if necessary, temporary vacation is allowed during non-study periods upon a separate application. Q. Is the dormitory reward/penalty point system applied to LnL participating students? A. Because LnL students live in Gwanak Residence Halls, basic rules such as prohibiting the entry of outsiders and adoption of companion animals will be applicable. Q. Can I participate in LnL for multiple years? A. We are considering a measure to preferentially select students who have engaged in active and exemplary activities for the preceding year based on recommendations by fellow students. Q. How long is the LnL trial period? A. The LnL pilot project, in which approximately 300 students are participating each year, is scheduled to span five years, from 2023 to 2027. We will expand the facilities to allow all freshmen to experience LnL.