First Year Experience Communities

Living in a First Year Experience (FYE) Community

By living in any of our FYE communities, you get to live and learn with fellow students who share similar academic interests while also fulfilling your Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) requirement. For some*, you will share the same exact FRINQ, which makes it easy to form study groups, collaborate on projects, find new friends, and build more connections. You will also have a Living Learning Community Resident Assistant living in your community and attending class with you. This is a great person to rely on for support and resources.

For others**, you might be in different FRINQs but still in proximity to other excited, first year students.

Below are our current FYE community offerings.

Creativity in Action (previously known as Work of Art)*

Location: Broadway
Course Prefix and Number: UNST 154

Work of Art has a fresh coat of paint. It is now known as Creativity in Action. This new theme is similar to Work of Art, but with some refreshed focal points. Creativity in Action is built off of the foundation of Work of Art and aims to guide students through the exploration of creativity via project-based learning, research, and community partnerships. Students will still be a part of a yearlong experience with their cohort of peers in a living and learning community. Creativity in Action aligns well with PSU's Design, Creativity and Performance pathway and brings together students interested in the likes of art practice, graphic design, music, architecture, and theater. start thinking about what creativity in action looks like for you.

Race & Social Justice*

Location: Ondine
Course Prefix and Number: UNST 101

This course will study biology that undermines the concept of race itself; sociology that defines the concept as socially constructed; a history that is not acknowledged in standard k-12 texts; and literature that opens a diversity of windows onto the experience of race. Through both increased knowledge and personal reflection, students can develop capabilities useful to the work of moving U.S. society past its racial dilemma.

Portland*

Location: Ondine
Course Prefix and Number: UNST 107

How do our surroundings shape our lives? How do we shape our surroundings? In this course, the complex relationship between people and the places in which we live, recreate, and work is explored. We specifically focus on Portland: its place as a context for human development and cultural expression; its place as an urban area of diverse communities; and its place within the natural, material, and social environment of the Pacific Northwest.

STEM**

Location: Broadway

The STEM community gives residents the opportunity to build a community focused on fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There are two Resident Assistants placed in this community who are actively engaged in a STEM program.

Viking**

Location: Broadway and Ondine

Viking floors are located on select floors in Broadway and Ondine. These floors house first year students with a variety of interests and who want to experience a prideful PSU and Portland experience. Go Vikings!

Honors

Location: Stephen Epler

As a part of the Honors community, students can participate in the life of the city and also experience the benefits of a small living and learning community. Living in Epler as an Honors student is not required. However, it is highly recommended for its additional resources (e.g. Honors Commons on the ground floor), Honors-specific programming and support (e.g. a Resident Assistant in the Honors College), and proximity to the Honors House (just one block away). Learn more about the Honors College.