Cohort and Lifestyle Floors and Communities
Customize your residence experience and live with like-minded peers who share common academic programs, interests, experiences or lifestyles. These communities are a great way for you to broaden your learning outside of the classroom, share experiences and connect with your peers.
Apply
Current residents can complete the application form. If you are applying to live in residence, you can complete the cohort application section of your residence confirmation package in your room offer email.
Residence Services will do their best to assign students who apply for specialty location-based communities to those floors. However, space is limited and not guaranteed.
In contrast, should interest be low, applicants may be assigned to a faculty floor or lifestyle community even if they do not initially apply to one.
Have questions? Email slintern@ualberta.ca
LIFESTYLE FLOORS
Lifestyle floors are communities that allow students to customize their residence experience by living with students who make similar lifestyle choices.
Quiet floors
Lister Residence, Alexander Mackenzie Hall
Prefer a quieter floor environment that has the same academic, social and personal support of our other floors? Residents and student staff on quiet floors follow regular quiet hours, and a mutual understanding that everyone maintains a reasonably low level of noise at all times. Residents can also choose to make a community commitment together to establish extended quiet hours.
Substance-free floors
Lister Residence, Alexander Mackenzie Hall
Prefer an alcohol-free and/or cannabis-free environment that has the same academic, social and personal support of our other floors? Residents and student staff on substance-free floors can create a community commitment together to abstain from the use of alcohol and cannabis within their common areas and their own rooms!
Low sensory floors*
Lister Residence, Alexander Mackenzie Hall
Low sensory floors are for students who prefer a quieter community and reduced sensory inputs. A low sensory floor
- provides a fragrance free area for those with scent sensitivities, which means that residents will refrain from using scented products (including scented cosmetics, air fresheners, body sprays, perfumes and other products). The fragrance of cosmetics and other personal care products (soap, shampoo, lip balm, deodorant, etc.) should not be noticeable from greater than an arm’s length away.
- has extended quiet hours throughout the year from 10 p.m.–8 a.m. (other floors have extended quiet hours only during final exam periods).
- Students who wish to live in a quieter community and who also practice faith/religious observances that use scented products (e.g., smudging ceremonies) are encouraged to choose a quiet floor over a low sensory floor.
- Fluorescent lights are used in some units and buildings but you may purchase your own non-fluorescent plug-in lamps for use in your units.
*Offered starting Fall 2025
First Year Academic Cohort Floors
Three reasons to join an academic cohort include:
- Live and learn together with students taking the same courses and who are passionate about the same program.
- Participate in activities and events that will help you connect with fellow students in your program and foster your academic success.
- Get connected to professionals, faculty members, resources and services outside of the classroom that will help you get involved on campus and achieve your academic and career goals.
Science academic cohort floor
Lister Residence, Thelma Chalifoux Hall
First-year Bachelor of Science students
Connect with peers who are also interested in the broad field of science and gain access to supplies and materials to supplement your in-class learning, including an organic chemistry model kit and models of the human brain!
Potential cohort activities include:
- Trip to the Telus World of Science
- Info sessions on how to get involved in scientific research
- Information sessions about professional programs or careers
Computer science academic cohort floor
Lister Residence, Alexander Mackenzie Hall
First-year Bachelor of Science students studying computer sciences
Participate in activities, events and extracurricular opportunities related to your field of study and be connected to resources and services that allow you to plan for a career in computer science.
Potential cohort activities include:
- Presentations on careers in computer science
- Programs that connect students to resources in the faculty
Nursing academic cohort floor
Lister Residence, Anthony Henday Hall
First-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students
Connect with others who have similar interests and goals, participate in activities related to your nursing degree, and set up study groups and specific residence programming tailored to your studies. Students in this cohort will have access to supplies and materials to supplement their in-class learning, including a stethoscope and anatomy diagrams.
Potential cohort activities include:
- Info sessions on the different specialties in nursing
- Presentations from nursing faculty members
- Nursing-specific academic skills sessions
Engineering academic cohort floor
Lister Residence, Thelma Chalifoux Hall
First-year Bachelor of Science students studying engineering
In collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering
Connect with other students who are on the same journey as you and build skills that set you up for success in the rest of your career.
Potential cohort activities include:
- Special presentations about opportunities within the Faculty of Engineering
- Attending engineering related programs and events with your cohort
- Information sessions to help students choose an engineering discipline
- Connection with upper year engineering students to help support your academic journey
NON-ACADEMIC COHORT FLOORS AND COMMUNITIES
Three reasons to participate in a non-academic cohort
- Share goals, interests and challenges with like-minded students
- Connect with campus and community resources that can contribute to your university experience
- Get involved in leadership opportunities and community events
Leadership cohort floor
Lister Residence, Henry Kelsey Hall
Students in this cohort will all live collectively on a floor with a specialized student staff who will provide opportunities for you to develop leadership skills and learn about social issues in the community. There will also be opportunities for you to take on leadership roles, including running an activity.
Potential cohort activities include:
- Leadership workshops
- Organizing a fundraiser
- Work with various campus partners
Indigenous students cohort
Any student living in residence
This cohort connects students who self-identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit to on-campus events, resources and peers. This cohort focuses on community building within the Indigenous community and establishing an inclusive residence space for students to connect with peers, student leaders and staff.
2SLGBTQ+ cohort
Any student living in residence
In collaboration with The Landing
This cohort connects our 2SLGBTQ+ students to on-campus events, resources and peers. This cohort focuses on community building within the 2SLGBTQ+ community and establishing an inclusive residence space for students to connect with peers, student leaders and staff.
Undergraduate international student cohort
Any student living in residence
In collaboration with U of A International
This cohort connects undergraduate students who identify as international students to on-campus events, resources and peers. This cohort focuses on community building within the international student community and establishing an inclusive residence space for students to connect with peers, student leaders and staff.
Graduate international student cohort
Any student living in residence
In collaboration with U of A International
This cohort connects graduate students who identify as international students to on-campus events, resources and peers. This cohort focuses on academic support, career planning and community building.