The Defined Communities at Bentley provide an enhanced environment of learning within the residence halls. Each community provides dedicated spaces for students with similar interests and passions to live and learn around a central theme or academic focus.
Why should you join a Defined Community?
- Live in a space with peers who are passionate and motivated by common interests.
- Each community partners with a faculty and/or staff member from across campus who also shares interest in that specific community.
- Enjoy dedicated space for themed programming, study, and engagement opportunities.
- First-Year Defined Communities will enjoy an early move in and participate in a half-day leadership retreat focused on bringing their community together.
Defined Communities for First-Year Students
The Arts Community is for students who want to explore their creative side and connect with like-minded people. Students in this community have exclusive access to a special Arts Lounge located within the community that features a piano, visual art materials, and much more!
Location: Miller Hall
Community Partner:
- Dr. David Szymanski, Associate Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Music Organizations (Band, Choir, Singing, Instrument)
- Performing Arts (Musical Theater, Dance, Stage Crew, Makeup and Costuming, etc.)
- Visual Art (Drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, etc.)
- Technology and Art (Graphic Design, electronic music production, filmography, etc.)
- Professional Arts Organizations (Creative Industries, Music Production, Marketing, etc.)
Blueprint challenges first-year students to develop into leaders on campus. Residents get to explore their career, leadership and engagement goals by connecting their academic work with hands-on experiences in their community.
Location: Slade Hall
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Business Organizations (FBLA and DECA)
- Student Leadership Groups (Student Government, School Spirit Community, Pep Club, Class Councils)
- Community Service (Key Club, Habitat for Humanity, National Honors Society, Big Brothers, Big Sisters)
- Community Leadership Groups (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, ROTC)
- Leadership and Executive Board Positions (sports team captain, member of student organization leadership)
Brave is for students who are interested in meaningful, intentional and open discussions about identities and societal issues. With guidance from faculty and staff, they learn about race, religion, sexual identity, socio-economic status, gender and gender identity.
This community is designed to be a "brave space" for students to challenge themselves and engage in thought-provoking topics and viewpoints.
Location: Miller Hall
Community Partner:
- Kiana Pierre-Louis, J.D., Lecturer, Law, Taxation, and Financial Planning; The Office of Diversity and Inclusion
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Human Rights Organizations (Amnesty International, UNICEF)
- Identity and Cultural Based Organizations (Culture clubs, Pride, Black Student Union, GSA, Asian Student Association, etc.)
- Advocacy and Activism Organizations (Student Government, Environmental Activism)
- Political Organizations (Political Party Organization, Campaign Organizations, Climate Change Organizations)
- Community Service (Key Club, Habitat for Humanity, National Honors Society, Big Brothers, Big Sisters)
Herstory provides a space for women who are passionate about gender issues. Through programming, conferences, and other opportunities, Herstory residents are empowered to take their place in the business world.
Location: Miller Hall
Community Partner:
- Center for Women and Business
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Business Organizations (FBLA and DECA)
- Student Leadership Organizations (Student Government, School Spirit Community, Pep Club, Class Councils)
- Women's Professional Organizations (Women in STEM, Women in Business, etc.)
- Women's Leadership and Empowerment Organizations (Her Campus, Girl Scouts, Gender Equality Clubs)
- Leadership and Executive Board Positions (sports team captain, member of student organization leadership)
First-year Honors Program students can choose to live together to make strong friendships and lean on one another for academic support. Students in this community have exclusive access to a special Honors Lounge that serves as a study area and community lounge space.
Location: Slade Hall
Community Partners:
- The Honors Program and Academic Support Services
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Academic clubs/organizations
- High school honors programs
The Thrive Community is devoted to exploring five distinct areas of holistic wellness: Career, Social, Financial, Physical and Community. Residents will evaluate their well-being and take actions to become healthier individuals.
Bentley’s racquetball court and a fitness studio are located in Slade Hall, so Thrive residents have easy access to workout facilities.
Location: Slade Hall
Community Partner:
- Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
You may be interested in this community if you have participated in:
- Sports/Athletics (JV, Varsity, Club, intramural sports etc.)
- Spiritual and Religious Organizations (Church involvement, interfaith groups, youth group)
- Wellness Activities (Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness Groups)
- Wellness Advocacy (Mental Wellness Ambassador, Student Wellness Team, Peer Health Educator)
- Fitness, Exercise, and Nutrition (CrossFit, Healthy Lifestyle Groups, Dance, Yoga and Pilates)
Defined Communities for Returning Students
This Community is available to rising sophomores who want to become more effective and engaged student leaders. Following a leadership development plan, residents develop their leadership identity, learn essential leadership skills, network with campus leaders, and participate in programming opportunities.
Location: Fenway Suites
Community Collaborations: Student Programs and Engagement
This community is for upper-class residential honors students who want to maintain a close relationship with the Honors Program. Space is dedicated for programming, study opportunities, and to connect with other upper-class community members. Residents will also mentor students in the first-year Honors community.
Location: Falcone North
Community Collaborations: The Honors Program and Academic Support Services
Frequently Asked Questions
First-year students interested in living in a Defined Community will apply in the First-Year Housing Application, which is made available via the Housing Portal over the summer. Returning students interested in a Defined Community will apply during the Housing Selection Process in the spring.
Yes. When you agree to live in a Defined Community, you are agreeing to live in the residence hall and floor in which the community is housed.
Defined Communities are limited in size. We can only accommodate as many students as there are rooms/beds in the community, so not every student who applies to a particular community will be accepted into that community. The essay you submit as part of your application will be used to help in the selection process. We urge you to apply for multiple communities if interested.
We are looking for students who are enthusiastic about living in each community and excited about being active participants in programs and events. Please note that for the Honors Communities you must be enrolled in the Honors Program in order to be eligible to live in the community.
Defined Community students have gone to Broadway shows, overnight visits to New York, museums, the Harvard Women in Business Conference, and much more. These trips, events, and programs are available for Defined Community students only.