““ILS believes that the best life sciences education is holistic and encourages students to take good care of themselves and others while striving for ambitious goals. ILS is committed to creating a welcoming community for our students that fosters inclusivity and collaboration. As members of a living-learning community, our students support each other, nurture their leadership skills, and have fun!” ”
All first-year ILS students live together on the 8th and 9th floors of air-conditioned La Plata Hall, a conveniently located dorm that is at the intersection of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, Eppley Recreation Center, SECU Stadium, Xfinity Center, and many life sciences classrooms.
The ILS Lounge (located on the first floor of La Plata) is equipped with resources to help students succeed, both academically and personally. ILS faculty and staff have their offices in the ILS Lounge to encourage convenient appointments, check-ins, and office hours. The lounge is also stocked with office supplies (including a printer), a coffee machine (for quick little caffeine boosts), and board games (for study breaks with fellow ILSers).
Two Resident Assistants on each floor are trained to build community, build a respectful community for a diverse student population, and connect students with campus resources to support everything from their physical and mental health, to academic support services, extracurricular opportunities, faith-based groups, and more.
Social Opportunities
Peer Mentor Program
All first-year students are highly encouraged to participate in the ILS Peer Mentor program, which matches first-years with experienced ILSers. Mentors are valuable resources for incoming students, who frequently communicate over the summer and throughout the academic year to offer advice. Mentors have uniform guidelines for checking in with their Mentees, and the fall semester offers monthly programs just for members of the program. Recent Peer Mentor programs include a field day event, Halloween costume decorating contest, and gingerbread house decorating contest.
Welcome Week Activities
ILS prepares a fun first week of activities for incoming freshmen in their fall semester. Activities include a scavenger hunt, trivia night, and movie night. Welcome Week is a great way to meet your ILS cohort, as well as facilitate relationships among Peer Mentor families.
Events Hosted by CLC/ILS
ILS and the student-run Community Leadership Council (CLC) also host monthly events and activities for all ILSers. These events vary semester to semester, but fan-favorite events have been tailgating, intramural sports, Halloween trip to Six Flags, and the annual cookie and gingerbread house decorating contest.
