What is a Learning Community?
A Learning Community is a collection of students, faculty, and professional staff members who work together to increase your success in college. You can develop student leadership and teamwork skills, improve your critical thinking and writing skills, and have fun in and out of the classroom with your new community friends!

 

How are these courses different from other sections of the same courses?
Your decision to become part of UTB/TSC’s “Health and Healing Along the Border” Learning Community, offered in Fall 2007 / Spring 2008, indicates that you are interested in health and healing issues. Faculty teaching these community courses work together to develop these courses around the health and healing theme. All the Learning Community courses are linked together—and you (and your new friends) will enjoy a variety of off-campus activities and on-campus events during community and classroom time.

 

How is a Learning Community different from taking the same courses with my friends?
Hundreds of UTB/TSC students will register for the same general education required History, English and Speech courses. However, only 50 students will have the same classmates in all of the courses, with the focus of all the courses on health and healing. The other sections of these three university-required courses will not focus on this theme.
Your class time has also been set aside for you, so you won’t have to juggle your class schedule. You can encourage your friends to apply to become a member of the community!

 

What are the minimum eligibility requirements?
You must have achieved college level scores on THEA or equivalent test. You must also submit a high school transcript, and gain admission to UTB/TSC.

 

Is there a GPA requirement?
No, the Learning Community doesn’t require a specific high school or university grade point average.

 

Is the Learning Community limited to high school Seniors applying as first-year university Freshmen?
No, the community is open to all students, regardless or age. UTB/TSC students currently enrolled in UTB/TSC who do not already have credit for the Learning Community courses may also apply.

 

What if I’ve taken one or more of the Learning Community courses in the high school dual enrollment program?
If you do not already have credit for one or more of the courses either in the dual enrollment high school program, or on-campus at UTB/TSC you are eligible for the “Health and Healing Along the Border” learning community.

 

What is the deadline for application?
Deadline for Fall 2007 / Spring 2008 “Health and Healing Along the Border” learning community is ongoing. Please complete and submit the on-line application on this website.

 

When do I know if I’m selected to participate in the Learning Community?
You will be notified via email within 10 days of submitting your application. You may also contact Melissa Pena at 956-882-8253 or email learning.community@utb.edu.

 

Do I need to select a college major to be a member of the Learning Community?
No. Some Freshmen do select their major area of study early in their academic career. The “Health and Healing Along the Border” Learning Community brings together students who have an interest in health and healing—whether their major is Biology, English, Criminal Justice or Sociology.

 

When I do select a major, will I be required to take courses in the community that don’t fit my major?
The courses selected for the Learning Community are the general education courses required of all students. So, whether you are earning a Bachelor or Associate degree, or a certificate you can still benefit from the community. Sometimes, a course may be required to support the community theme that will count as an elective toward your degree. Be sure to see an academic advisor for specific questions.

 

Will I be able to see a syllabus?
Yes, you may view syllabi by clicking on the “syllabi” button on this website.

 

Will I be able to view my class schedule before the semester starts?
Yes, you may view the Fall 2007 / Spring 2008 schedule by clicking on the “courses and schedule” button on this website.

 

How will you contact me before the semester begins?
We will use the email you provided in your application.

 

Once I’m registered for the courses in the Learning Community, can I drop out of one course and section and register for the same course, but a different section?
No. The instructors within each Learning Community have designed their particular courses to develop aspects of the “Health and Healing Along the Border” theme of the community. All the courses are intellectually and activity linked.

 

What if I’m registered for the courses in the Learning Community and something comes up in my life that I need to drop one or more of the courses? Can I still be a member of the community?
The contract you sign upon being accepted into the community requires that you speak with a Learning Community academic advisor before you drop any required community courses. You work with your advisor to make the best decision.

 

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
You can email Karon Jahn at Karon.jahn@utb.edu or send an email to learning.community@utb.edu