Where you live is part of how you learn
Living on campus is more than having a place to call home. KU residence halls and scholarship halls are communities where students build relationships, navigate new experiences, develop independence, and discover what it means to be part of KU.
We help Jayhawks connect, learn, grow, and thrive
Residence Education brings learning into the spaces where students live. Through relationships with staff and peers, shared community experiences, intentional conversations, and meaningful opportunities to get involved, students develop the skills and connections essential for success at KU and beyond.
Our goal is simple: to create communities where Jayhawks can connect, learn, grow, and thrive.
Why Residential Education Matters
Supporting students during times of change
College is a crucial period of transition. Students form new relationships, make independent decisions, navigate challenges and start to shape who they want to become. Three core ideas guide KU Housing & Residence Life's approach to student learning and development.
Residential Education Principles
A sense of belonging develops when students feel connected, valued, and able to contribute. Residence Education helps Jayhawks build relationships with peers and staff, engage in their communities, and recognize their importance at KU.
Self-authorship demonstrates a student's ability to recognize personal values, make informed decisions, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their path. Residential experiences provide students with the opportunity to practice these skills with support from peers and staff.
Being part of a community allows students to develop self-awareness, empathy, communication, perspective-taking, and relationship skills as they face shared experiences and challenges.
Our Residential Curriculum
What is a residential curriculum?
An intentional approach to learning in residential communities
A residential curriculum is an purposeful, research-informed approach to creating learning experiences within residential communities. Instead of merely filling the calendar with events, staff first identify the specific learning objectives and goals for students. They then design experiences that support these outcomes. At KU, the residential curriculum informs how staff build community, design programs, engage in conversations with students, connect residents to resources, and respond to the experiences students have while living with others.
How learning happens at KU Housing & Residence Life
Connections with peers, resident assistants, and professional staff enable students to feel recognized, supported, and connected to the KU community.
Daily check-ins and conversations help students reflect, address concerns, learn from their experiences, and connect with valuable resources.
Programs, events, leadership opportunities, and traditions are thoughtfully designed to enhance student learning and meet community needs.
Roommate conversations, shared decisions, new friendships, and challenging moments can all become opportunities for growth and learning.
Find support in your community
You do not have to navigate residential life alone. Start with your resident assistant or professional hall staff. They can help you think through a concern, understand your options, and connect with the right KU resource.
