Living and Learning Communities

Coughlin Hall Living and Learning Center

Embedded in the Jesuit philosophy of educating the whole person is a call for students to develop a congruency between their physical, mental, and spiritual lives. The vision for the Coughlin Hall Living and Learning Center is to provide its residents with an on-campus living experience that embodies this philosophy. The 325 freshmen and sophomore students in this community attend campus events together, participate in hall sponsored community service projects, and engage in reflection exercises with their friends. Some are even intentionally registered in the same classes!

Each wing of rooms in Coughlin Hall is built around a "courtyard" style lounge that encourages students to join in late night conversations about meaningful topics, watch the ZAGS game, or study with other residents. A larger portion of the community can gather to play pool in one of the game rooms, work on a group project for class in the seminar rooms, talk over a latte from Barney's Coffee Shop, or peruse the books in the Coughlin library. The Faculty in Residence, Live-In Jesuit Chaplain, and Residence Life staff is often found in one of these spaces joining in the conversation or playing foosball with residents.

For 2011-2012, the Housing and Residence Life Department will partner with other campus faculty and staff to offer several distinct but integrated communities within Coughlin Hall. Whether you choose to apply for the Service and Leadership Community, the Language and Culture Community, the Wellness Community, or the Sophomore Experience Community, we are sure that you will love living in Coughlin.

Service and Leadership

This community encourages residents to reflect on the integration of leadership, service, and social justice. Membership in this community requires a commitment to participating in six (6) Service or Leadership Programs each semester, participating in two hours of community service per week, engaging in regular community reflection activities. Comprising freshmen and sophomore residents, the Service and Leadership community is well-known for housing some of the most active students on campus. First year students in this community are enrolled in a "Service Learning" section of one of the Core required religion or philosophy classes.  Sophomore students are required to take a Philosophy 201 course with a service learning designation. Alumni of this program include numerous Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, Reality Camp Coordinators, Comprehensive Leadership Program (CLP) members, and Gonzaga Student Body Association (GSBA) officials.

Global Engagement

This community encourages residents to reflect on themselves as a citizen of the world. Students interested in studying a language, living with an international student, or studying abroad benefit greatly from membership in this community. Residents are required to participate in six (6) International or Cultural Programs each semester. Additionally, there are opportunities to meet for "language table" discussions for your foreign language class, or become a "conversation partner" with an international student from your community. Comprising freshman and sophomore residents, the Global Engagement community is home to students from around the world. Residents in this community are encouraged to room with someone from another country, but this is not a required component of the program.

Mind, Body, Spirit

This community encourages residents to seek integrate in their mental, physical, and spiritual lives. Students interested in creating community around the themes of good study habits, healthy physical activity, and personal faith exploration are encouraged to apply. Residents of the Mind, Body, Spirit Community are required to participate in six (6) Mind, Body, or Spirit Wellness Programs each semester. Additionally, students in this community are given the opportunity to sign a "Substance Free" pledge agreeing to a college experience without the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. While not required, this pledge will assist the University in matching students wishing to express this commitment with similarly committed roommates. Comprising freshmen and sophomore residents, the Mind, Body, Spirit Community is hallmarked by study groups, participation in intramural sports, and involvement in University Ministry.

Sophomore Experience

Gonzaga requires all students to live in the residence halls for two years. Designed with the sophomore year in mind, the second year experience will allow students to deepen their friendships and relationships they built during their first year of college, address issues and concerns that typically arise for sophomores, explore major choices and internship opportunities, examine study abroad possibilities, and provide a space for spiritual discernment. Residents of the Sophomore Experience Community are required to participate in six (6) Sophomore Experience Programs each semester and be actively involved in Gonzaga clubs and activities outside Coughlin Hall. This community is exclusive to students who will be sophomores in 2011-2012.

Accountability to Program Requirements

All of the programs in the Coughlin Hall Living and Learning Center are the result of collaborative efforts between University Faculty, Staff, and Students. At the beginning of each fall semester, residents of the different programs meet to discuss their expectations of each other in the community as it relates to program requirements. This discussion allows for each community to "govern" itself as a peer group. Community meetings are regularly held throughout the year and provide an opportunity to "check-in" on these expectations. Additionally, requirements such as service hours, program attendance, etc. are tracked by the Residence Life Staff on a Living and Learning Passport. For first year students, meeting program requirements is considered should they choose to reapply for a Living and Learning Community for their sophomore year. All community members must be in good academic and conduct standing with the University.

Program Application

All applicants for the three Living and Learning Programs must indicate their interest in a specific program (or more than one program) when they complete the online housing application. Some of the programs have additional requirements as indicated below:

Service and Leadership

Returning residents are required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website.  These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2011. All applications are reviewed by a selection committee from Residence Life, CCASL, and the CLP. Incoming students are also required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website. These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011. All applications are reviewed by the selection committee, and students are notified of their placement or status within the program by mid-June.

Global Engagement

Returning residents are required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website. These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2011. All applications are reviewed by a selection committee from Residence Life, International Student Programs, and the Modern Languages Department. Incoming students are also required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website. These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011. All applications are reviewed by the selection committee, and students are notified of their placement or status within the program by mid-June.

Mind, Body, Spirit

Returning residents are required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website. These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2011. All applications are reviewed by a selection committee from Residence Life. Incoming students are also required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website.  These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011. All applications are reviewed by the selection committee, and students are notified of their placement or status within the program by mid-June. At the time of notification, all residents (returning and incoming) are given an opportunity to sign a substance free pledge. When possible, Housing and Residence will match roommates among students who have signed this agreement.

Sophomore Experience

Returning residents are required to complete a separate application available on the Housing and Residence Life website. These applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2011. All applications are reviewed by a selection made up of university officials.

All returning student applicants must be in good academic and conduct standing with the University to be considered for inclusion into any of these programs. 

Need Additional Information?

Please contact us at:
Office of Housing and Residence Life
502 East Boone Ave. MSC Box 2515
Spokane, Washington 99258
Telephone: 509-313-4103
Fax: 509-313-4102
Email: livingandlearning@gonzaga.edu