The First-Year Experience residential communities play an integral part in first-year students' personal and academic transformation. The Residence Life team strives to help each student establish a foundation for future success at Case Western Reserve University. We do this by supporting their transition into their new communities and connecting them to the university through academic support, campus activities, and, of course, hosting fun programs and events.
Each year, we welcome a first-year class over 1350 students and we work to foster connections across the entire class. The class of 2026 has over 1500 students. Each student, however, will belong to one of our four smaller residential communities: Cedar/Magnolia, Clarke Tower, Juniper, or Mistletoe.
Regardless of which residential community a student calls home, they can expect a similar residential experience. The Residence Life team works to offer resources and programs that meet the unique interests and needs of students in each community, partnering with students to shape their residential experience.
Community Buildings: Pierce House, Storrs House, Cutler House, and Hitchcock House
Community Size: Cedar/Magnolia is home to 454 students, supported by a team of one Residential Community Director, one Assistant Residential Community Director, and twelve Resident Assistants.
Physical Space & Amenities: The four Cedar/Magnolia buildings are considered quad-style living because there are four clusters of single and double rooms on each floor. Each building has a first floor lounge with a TV, gaming table (pool or ping pong), piano, and full kitchen; lounges on each floor; a laundry room with free services and online monitoring system; indoor bike storage; and vending machines.
The Gender Inclusive Housing option for first-year students is available in Cutler House. For more information on this community, visit the University Housing website.
To see what is happening in Cedar/Magnolia, visit the CampusGroups page.
Community Buildings: Clarke Tower
Community Size: Clarke is home to 318 students, supported by a staff of one Residential Community Director, one Assistant Residential Community Director, and ten Resident Assistants.
Physical Space & Amenities: First-year students occupy the first six residential floors of Clarke Tower; this building is considered suite-style because eight students in a combination of single and double rooms share a bathroom and kitchenette. The building has a first floor lounge with a TV, gaming table (pool, ping pong, or foosball), piano, and full kitchen; study rooms on each floor; lounges on each floor with kitchenette; laundry rooms with free services and online monitoring system; indoor bike storage; and vending machines.
To see what is happening in Clarke, visit the CampusGroups page.
Community Buildings: Smith House, Taft House, and Taplin House
Community Size: Juniper is home to 327 students, supported by a staff of one Residential Community Director, one Assistant Residential Community Director, and nine Resident Assistants.
Physical Space & Amenities: The three Juniper buildings are considered corridor-style living because there is one, continuous corridor connecting the student rooms on each floor. Both single and double rooms are available on each floor. Each building has a first floor lounge with a TV, gaming tables (pool, ping pong, and/or foosball), pianos, and full kitchens; lounges on each floor with kitchenette; laundry rooms with free services and online monitoring system; indoor bike storage; and vending machines.
To see what is happening in Juniper, visit the CampusGroups page.
Community Buildings: Norton House, Raymond House, Sherman House, and Tyler House
Community Size: Mistletoe is home to 475 students, supported by a staff of one Residential Community Director, one Assistant Residential Community Director, and twelve Resident Assistants.
Physical Space & Amenities: The four Mistletoe buildings are considered corridor-style living because there is one, continuous corridor connecting the student rooms on each floor. Both single and double rooms are available on each floor. Each building has a first floor lounge with a TV, gaming table (pool, ping pong, or foosball), piano, and full kitchen; study rooms on each floor; lounges on each floor with kitchenette; laundry rooms with free services and online monitoring system; indoor bike storage; and vending machines.
To see what is happening in Mistletoe, visit the CampusGroups page.