New for 2012-2013, The Wellness Learning Community will offer students the opportunity to engage in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis (care for the whole person).  Students will build a community based on their shared interest in the dynamic process of becoming aware of, taking responsibility for, and making choices that contribute to their personal well being and the well being of their community.  Members of the learning community will develop an understanding for the integration of body, mind and spirit through exploration of cultural, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and vocational wellness. 

In 2012-2013, the Wellness Learning Community will be home to 150 first-year students and 50 second-year students.  The first-year students live together in one of our 5 first-year residence halls while the second-year students will live together in Bellarmine Hall.  Bellarmine Hall will open in the Fall of 2012!

Activities and Programs

Student in the Wellness Learning Community will engage in activities and events that explore the integration of body, mind, and spirit.  Students might take a wellness tour of Chicago, explore the YOU! The Experience exhibit at the Museum of Science and industry, or participate in the AIDs walk/run.  Students will be encouraged to explore the countless fitness opportunities offered through the Department of Campus Recreation and to become involved in the health promotion initiatives through the Wellness Center.  

Students will participate in a lot of programs and activities designed for the community as a whole as well as programs and activities specific to their course cluster.  For example, students in the Psychology & Wellness Course Cluster might explore the psychology of art at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Health & Wellness Course Cluster students may enjoy a trip to Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, and the Nursing Course Cluster may develop a mentor program with upper-class nursing students.

Curricular Requirements

The curricular requirements provide wonderful opportunities to connect through coursework with peers in the community but also ample opportunity to meet friends from outside the community.  Faculty members who teach in the Wellness LC also participate with students in activities and events outside the classroom, allowing students to develop stronger relationships with faculty members from their first day on campus.  

First-Year Students

First-year students in the Wellness Learning Community take 4 credit hours together in the Fall semester and 3 credit hours together in the Spring semester.  All courses required for the Wellness LC meet requirements for all degree programs at Loyola.  Planned courses for 2012-2013 include:

Fall Semester*	Spring Semester*
PHIL 130: Philosophy and Persons (3cr) OR PHIL 181: Ethics (3cr) OR SOCL 101: Society in a Global Age	UNIV 190: Health and Underserved Populations (3cr) OR PHIL 181: Ethics (3cr) OR TBD
UNIV 101: Loyola First Year Seminar (1cr)
Nursing Course Cluster (courses specifically for nursing students)
BIOL 109: Biology for Nursing Students (3cr)	GNUR 102: Intro to Professional Nursing Practice (1cr)
UNIV 101: Loyola First Year Seminar (1cr)