Alpha - Graham Hall - On-Campus Living

Alpha RLC

Alpha Residential Learning Community (RLC) is guided by our Four I's: inclusion, innovation, integrity, and impact. Alpha RLC is housed within Graham Residence Hall, a mini suite-style, co-ed community of first and second-year students.

Our Theme

Alpha RLC organizes its community life and engagement around the concepts of inclusion, innovation, integrity, and impact. Through exploring these concepts, students in Alpha RLC interrogate and investigate ways to improve themselves and others, doing so in ways that are congruent with Jesuit educational values of Santa Clara University.

Inclusion: Students in Alpha RLC understand the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse community members. Through an unwavering dedication to inclusion, Alpha RLC students foster the spirit of inclusivity in their communities and carry it forth into the world. A dedication to empathy, shared humanity, and equity drives Alpha RLC's curation of inclusion.

Innovation: Students in Alpha RLC are passionate about building upon work and ideas that came before them. Through the relentless pursuit of innovation, Alpha RLC students are well-equipped for an evolving world. A thirst for knowledge, improvement, and refinement of ideas drives Alpha RLC’s connection to innovation.

Integrity: Students in Alpha RLC understand the interconnectedness of the world and align their actions, behaviors, and words accordingly. Through the unyielding defense of integrity, Alpha RLC students balance individual needs with the collective good. A desire to unify one’s heart, mind and spirit emboldens Alpha RLC’s orientation to integrity.

Impact: Students in Alpha RLC intimately understand that change at any scale begins with the individual. Through taking ownership of instrumenting change at the personal level, Alpha RLC students affect local and global impact. Economic, environmental, and social justice comprise Alpha RLC’s commitment to impact.

Living in Silicon Valley, innovation is all around us. Alpha RLC strives to combine creativity with the moral and Jesuit educational values of SCU to create a positive, lasting difference on our campus and beyond. Our vision is to connect our theme to: Ethics, Social Entrepreneurship, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Science & Engineering, Social Justice, Diversity & Multiculturalism, Technology, Campus Ministry, Personal Development, and Professional Development.

Our Community

Our community is a co-ed living space that is home to 400 first- and second-year students. Mini-suite style living provides a unique opportunity for staff and students to engage with one another in thoughtful and intentional ways. Alpha RLC is known for its bright, large resident rooms and more private bathrooms, which are shared by four to six residents. In these mini-suites, it can be a somewhat quieter living experience than a traditional-style hall, and students may need to challenge themselves to leave the comfort of their own space. Students are supported in this challenge as Community Facilitators work to bring residents out to engage with the broader community. Formal and impromptu gatherings happen in the various kitchens, lounges, Commons, and classrooms.

Alpha RLC has both a healthy mix of second-year students with experience at SCU and those with first-year excitement. In general, Alpha RLC is a vibrant community that houses students and staff of varying and diverse interests. In some of the larger public spaces and classrooms, groups from the broader campus often host events, adding additional opportunities for Alpha RLC residents and students.

Programs & Events

Alpha RLC provides weekly programs on Wednesdays so that students may have a consistent event to attend. In addition to the weekly Wednesday programs, various other programs are scattered throughout the quarter to provide space for students who may not be able to make Wednesdays.

Our traditional Signature Programs that happen annually in Alpha RLC include:

The Pilgrahamage: an opportunity where all 12 CFs host a mini program in every wing at the start of every quarter so that students may explore the hall
Alphalympics: a floor competition that typically takes place in the Fall Quarter
Extravagrahamza: a community-wide Winter Quarter gala with live music
Grahamapalooza: a celebration with a bbq and games that happens in the Graham Courtyard each Spring Quarter.

Our programs are designed for everyone to have a chance to partake in a way that is fun for them. We strive to host a diverse array of programs that are interesting and inclusive to many, and we welcome accommodation requests for programs.

Our Staff

The Alpha RLC staff is comprised of 12 Community Facilitators (CFs), 1 Spirituality Facilitator (SF), 1 Faculty Director (FD), 1 Assistant Resident Director (ARD), and 1 Resident Director (RD).

The Alpha RLC 2024-2025 team includes:

Leadership Team

Joyce Jang, Resident Director
Isabella Fernandez, Assistant Resident Director
Dr. Susan Kennedy, Faculty Director
Robyn Frederickson, Spirituality Facilitator

Community Facilitators (CFs)

CFs in Graham work within a "neighborhood" of approximately 32 students. All student staff on campus receive training in conflict resolution and roommate mediation, crisis response, community building, and campus resources, and are present in their community to support their residents. Students can contact their Community Facilitator or Leadership Team directly for support.

Graham Residence Hall

There are four floors in Graham Hall, and the residential space is divided into 12 different wings, with approximately 32 residents and one Community Facilitator in each wing. Residents may select double or triple rooms in Graham.

Students live in mini-suites, with a shared toilet and shower area, and a sink and vanity in each room. Graham also has central AC throughout the rooms and common spaces. Each of the 12 wings have their own own lounge, kitchen, and laundry facility, designed to provide spaces for residents to build relationships among peers. Regardless of the wing students live in, they will find a sense of community throughout the building.

The larger communal spaces include a multi-purpose room, a movie room, several study rooms, and two classrooms. A large quad provides outdoor seating and barbecue space.

Contact Us
Each RLC is coordinated by a Leadership Team comprised of a live-in Resident Director, Faculty Director, Spirituality Facilitator(s), and Assistant Resident Director(s). Your RLC’s Leadership Team is a valuable resource and its members can help you with both personal and academic concerns.