Is it too late to apply to the SLE?
The SLE application deadline coincides with the freshman housing application deadline. The Theme Community application is linked within the Michigan Housing application and is also available here. Click here for the general first year Housing application information.
When do students find out if they are admitted to the program?
Incoming students who apply by the priority deadline will be notified of their application status at the end of May.
Are all majors welcome to join the program?
Yes! SLE is open to incoming freshman in any school or college at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
Are Oxford Houses and SLE just for freshman?
Oxford is a First Year Experience residence hall. This means that it is primarily a space for first year undergraduates and student staff with SLE and Housing. Current and previous cohorts of SLE students can apply to continue to build the SLE community and develop their leadership skills as SLE Peers.
What type of rooms are at Oxford?
Oxford Houses have several different room types. The halls where SLE is typically located include doubles, economy doubles, large doubles and quads.
Can I request a non-SLE roommate?
Since SLE has designated floors, SLE students will be assigned to room with other SLE students whenever possible. If the roommate you request also applies and is admitted to SLE you may be placed together.
How many students are in SLE?
SLE is comprised of about 25 students in residence, and an additional dozen non-resident Peer Mentors. Much of SLE programming is open to all Oxford residents, even if they were not assigned to SLE-designated halls.
Will being in SLE conflict with my other extracurricular activities?
Participants in SLE are required to live at Oxford, attend SLE Orientation and take the SLE seminar during Fall and Winter (1-2 credits each semester). These minimum commitments do not require much time, however there are also co-curricular activities that SLE students can choose to take advantage of such as service learning trips, sustainability projects, and other leadership opportunities.
How frequent are the buses to central and north campus and how far of a walk is it to central?
SLE is located on Central Campus in the "Hill Neighborhood." The Central Campus Transit Center is about a 5 minute bus or bike ride from SLE, and approximately a 12 minute walk. Information about the regular U-M bus schedules is available online here. Oxford is on the Diag-to-Diag Express, Oxford Shuttle, and Northwood Express routes, which each run about every 10-15 minutes on weekdays. The Oxford Shuttle also runs every 15 minutes on weekends. The UM bus system provides access to different areas of both Central and North Campus.
Will I need to reschedule my orientation to match a specific date for the SLE program?
SLE students can attend any orientation session. Whichever session they participate in, SLE students should be sure to register for the SLE Seminar (ENVIRON 155) .
What happens at SLE during Welcome Week?
SLE holds orientation for all participants during welcome week, as well as a host of other social programs and events so that participants can get to know each other and start off the year with SLE. Information about SLE Welcome Week events will be emailed to admitted students in August.
What if I live at Oxford Houses, but am not in the SLE specific hall?
All Oxford residents are welcome to participate in SLE activities and events! Information about activities and events will be posted on this website and on bulletin boards at Oxford. Be sure to let SLE staff know that you are interested and get on the SLE mailing list to stay posted.
How have things changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
In order to allow for admitted SLE students to participate in the community in ways that are best for them, SLE offers a range of in-person, virtual, and hybrid programs. The format of seminar has also adjusted as needed to meet public health and campus guidelines. The SLE program will continue to adapt to public health guidance.
What's the difference between a Theme Community like SLE and a Michigan Learning Community (MLC)?
Theme Communities and MLCs are both examples of residential learning programs. They offer resources and programming for students beyond the standard residence hall experience. Theme Communities tend to be smaller than MLCs, with Themes typically having 30-40 students and MLCs with 80-200. One of the primary differences between them is that MLCs tend to be run by academic units, while Theme Communities tend to be run by Michigan Housing. Because Theme Communities and MLCs are run separate;y they have different application processes, and MLC admissions take place before the Theme Community application review. Therefore, if you are admitted to a MLC but prefer to participate in a Theme Community it is important to let each program know so that your Theme application is not removed due to prior acceptance in a MLC program.
Another difference is that MLCs tend to have additional expectations of students, including required coursework. There are exceptions to these differences, however, including SLE, which is based in the academic unit of Program in the Environment and has a required seminar course. See below for a graphic comparing common differences between Theme Communities and MLCs.
