Special Interest Housing
Program Description
The Special Interest Housing Program provides a unique living opportunity in the College-owned houses. The goal of the program is to offer students a chance to enhance their curricular and co-curricular interests while living with students with similar interests. The areas of interest have ranged from religious affiliation, ethnic and cultural expression, support for animals, music genres… the opportunities are endless! These communities are required to offer service and educational programming for the Allegheny College community.
Groups must have an active advisor who is an employee of the college. The advisor serves as a liaison for campus resources, participates in mid-semester reviews, assists the group in application processes and provides support throughout the academic year. Advisors must agree to attend Advisor Training and two mid-semester check-ins.
Application Process
The Special Interest Housing program is highly competitive and groups will be evaluated on quality of application and vision for sharing their interests with the community at large. We suggest that you put a fair amount of energy and time into thinking about, planning, and writing your proposal. Ask your advisor to look over your proposal and provide feedback.
Applications are reviewed using the following criteria:
- Quality of the proposal
- well-written and articulated mission and goals
- specific methods or action plan to involve the greater Allegheny Community and members
- the degree of support offered by the advisor
- Need in the community
- must address a need that is currently missing in the campus community
- Demonstration of programming and/or commitment to mission
- if you are currently a special interest house or club, you must include relevant programming information and reflection on successes and challenges
- Priority will be given to upperclass students (juniors and seniors) for proposals requesting to live in college-owned houses
The occupancy of the house may not fall below 100%. The group is responsible for finding another member to fill the empty spot within 72 hours and work with Residence Life for the move process. If the occupancy of the house falls below 100%, and students are unable to fill the space, Residence Life reserves the right to relocate all members of the house to another location on campus and the new space is not guaranteed to be with the student’s current housemates.
Students approved in the Special Interest Housing Process are not eligible to go through the Room Selection Process. In order to be approved for a house, you must have 100% occupancy when the application is due and throughout the application and approval process.
Other Considerations and Information
The selection committee reviews proposals submitted by students and makes selection and placement decisions based on the information provided in the proposals. You may be contacted to come present in person and answer questions.
If selected for a special interest house or community, you are agreeing to have your group’s information (including address) available to the Allegheny Community. Access to programming funds will require a submission of a request form that outlines the activity, expected audience, and funds needed. These funds are not guaranteed.
Additionally, there will be no storage in the houses over the summer break. Any items left in the houses that are not standard college items (college-supplied furniture, appliances, etc.) will be disposed of at the end of the contract term (this includes houses that are approved for multiple years). There may be limited funds available to groups who are in need.
Contact Residence Life
Campus Center — Student Life Suite, 3rd Floor
(814) 332-4356
reslife@allegheny.edu
Options for Special Interest Housing
Location: 377 Sherman St.
The primary goal of the Animal Welfare House is to unite students with a compassion for animals and provide opportunities for involvement in volunteerism, outreach programs, animal therapy, and fundraising. The house functions as a meeting venue for the Animal Welfare of Allegheny, a student-run organization, and offers members of the group more ways to be active in the realm of animal welfare. The house will serve the Meadville community as well by providing volunteers and funding for the Crawford County Humane Society and building a humane education program to be implemented into Meadville schools.
Location: 296 Loomis
The GGLC is a sustainability themed special interest house where residents explore low-impact living. The residents have created a bike-powered blender, greywater reuse system, veggie and rain gardens, compost, and the many workshops held throughout the year. See how students are exploring personal sustainability in their daily lives and using their experiences to educate and engage their peers.
The Hillel House provides an intimate off campus location for students involved with or want to learn more about Jewish life and culture on Allegheny’s campus and beyond. It achieves this goal through religious, educational, and social programs. Students in Hillel work to provide a community that helps Jewish students celebrate, learn, and explore Jewish heritage.
Activities include:
- Weekly Shabbat Services and Dinners
- High Holiday Services
- Decorating the Sukkah
- Hanukkah Party
- Purim Party
- Passover Seder
- Experiential Learning and Service Trips
- Participation in Regional Holocaust Remembrance Events
The Max Kade International Wing in North Village C is a special interest area that promotes cross-cultural sharing and exploration. The wing includes four language-focus houses (Arabic/MENA, German, French, and Spanish), one International Studies House, and one International Interest House. The International Interest House for students that do not have language ability but who have a strong academic interest in International Studies/Affairs.
Applicants for this community might include students with an interest in international or foreign language studies, international students, or students who have lived or traveled abroad. Sophomores are encouraged to apply but please note that preference may be given to students with more academic or international study experience. While a previous background in the particular language or academic area may strengthen a student’s application for a specific house, students do NOT have to be majoring in that field to be considered for the house.
For students with demonstrated (FAFSA) financial need, additional financial aid is possible up to $1,000. This aid is only available to students who reside in the language houses and International Studies House. Students who are unsure of their financial status should contact the office of Financial Aid (814) 332-2701 or fao@allegheny.edu).
Students may apply for admission to more than one house.
The Middle East and North Africa House seeks to promote studies related to this area. The house will consist of five student members who share an interest in Middle East and North African studies. Members of the house are expected to promote respect and understanding of other cultures and are also expected to host periodic events related to the house theme.
Location: North Village Building C
Ni hao! Welcome to the Chinese House, which represents 5,000 years of culture and language. Located in North Village Building C, Room 101, the family of the Chinese House consists of five members, including a Chinese teaching assistant.
When you enter the house, the huge fan with a Chinese landscape and the red dragon decoration will show you the aim of this house: to propagate the Chinese culture. Meanwhile, if you look around in the meeting room, you will see yellow notepaper clinging to items everywhere, showing residents names in Chinese and indicating their interest and diligence in learning Chinese.
The Chinese House is not only for students who are learning the Chinese language, but also for anyone who has an interest in China and Chinese culture. In light of this purpose, the Chinese House is planning to host some activities in Chinese style this academic year, including, among other activities, a Chinese New Year (the Spring Festival) Party, Dumpling Party, Chinese Movie, and Tea Meeting.
If you want to get closer to China and Chinese culture, or if you just want to make some friends or learn more about China, you are more than welcome to join the activities. Huan ying!
The French House is the part of the International building devoted to the further promotion of French language and culture. Habitants (including a French foreign exchange student) are highly involved in Allegheny’s French program, usually as either a Major or Minor, though this is not necessarily a requirement. There are different events held every month, from French movie-watching to a night of French food. Though all in the house share a love of the French language and way of living, all are welcome to events, regardless of language skill. Thus, the ultimate goal of the French House is to expand intercultural awareness.
The German House is the part of the Max Kade International Wing devoted to the further promotion of German language and culture. Habitants (including a German foreign exchange student) are highly involved in Allegheny’s German program, usually as either a Major or Minor, though this is not necessarily a requirement. Along with the weekly Kaffeestunde (coffee hour, Wednesdays at 4:00pm), there are different events held every month, from German movie-watching to a night of German food. Though all in the house share a love of the German language and way of living, all are welcome to events, regardless of language skill. Thus, the ultimate goal of the German House is to expand intercultural awareness.
The International Interest Houses are intended to enhance the commitment to global citizenship which is already present through the language houses in the Max Kade International Wing. Students selected for these houses will be expected to contribute to the community by assisting with theme-related programming, such as viewing international films, discussing current global events, or trying different types of international cuisine. Anyone with an interest in learning about other cultures is encouraged to apply.
Esta casa es su casa. The Spanish House is a special interest house designed for students interested in using and improving their Spanish language skills outside of the classroom environment. Four students live with a native-speaker of Spanish, either from Argentina, Spain or Mexico, with whom they can share day-to-day living experiences in the language, learn about cultural commonalities and differences, and plan events of interest for the broader Allegheny College Community. Each member of the house has a single room and shares a common living room and kitchen in which the lingua franca is Spanish. Students in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years at Allegheny can apply to live in the house as a way to prepare for study abroad, continue their study abroad experience or to simply pursue their passion for Hispanic language and culture. Activities such as Game Night, or Film Night or cooking sessions preparing and sharing food from tapas to tacos, are held throughout the semester as are celebrations of important holidays and festivals like, El día de los muertos or Carnaval.
Be it part of your curricular major or minor or simply a way for you to maintain your current language skills and expand your cultural awareness, the house is the perfect space for you to live in Spanish while on the Allegheny College campus.
Location: 575 Park Ave.
The Lighthouse is a place of joy on campus! Our mission is to provide a community of Christian fellowship that will be approachable and welcoming for those who are curious about or struggling with faith, while at the same time offering a retreat for those who want to continuing to grow as Christians. We have an open door policy which applies to everyone, as we strive to provide a place where genuine friendships can form!
