Residential Life & Housing

2010-2011 Special Interest Housing Suites


Application

2010-2011 Application (PDF)

The application form is due to the Residential Life & Housing office (110 Sulzberger) no later than 4pm on Monday, February 22.  The application includes essay questions; answers must be typed and attached to the application when submitted.

When submitting the application, groups will sign up for an interview on Thursday or Friday, February 25 or 26.  A minimum of 50% of your group must attend this interview.

Application Tips:  It is helpful for your group's essay questions to be as concrete and specific as possible (ex. detailed examples of proposed programs, etc).  Additionally, it is helpful to have as many, if not all, of the group members present for the interview.

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General Information

The Special Interest Housing (SIH) Program is sponsored by Residential Life & Housing (RLH). This is a wonderful opportunity to develop your leadership skills while helping to build community at Barnard!

  • Applicants should be students who want to live together; to share their passion and interest in a particular theme or topic; and want to share this knowledge with their residential community through programming.

  • Members of Special Interest Housing explore their theme by working together to create and implement a minimum of four programs/events each semester for their residence hall.

  • Through Special Interest Housing, students not only explore their topic, but also hone their skills of negotiation, coalition-building, program planning and implementation, and interpersonal communication. At the same time, they have fun interacting with other residents and members of the larger community.

  • Each group will be assigned to work with an assigned Residential Life & Housing Associate Director (and/or Graduate Hall Director) as an advisor.

  • Members must be willing to participate in orientation & training programs offered by Residential Life & Housing prior to opening of the residence halls in the Fall (August 31 - September 2, 2010) and throughout the academic semester.

RLH will select 3 groups to be SIH suites for the 2010-2011 academic year.

NOTE: Any SIH suites wishing to return for another academic year MUST reapply and re-interview.

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Eligibility Requirements

  • Groups must consist of 4 to 6 students, who will reside in their rooms and participate actively in the suite for the entire 2010-2011 academic year (students graduating mid-year or studying abroad for a semester are ineglible to participate).
  • Each group application must also include the names of at least 2 alternates (who would participate in the SIH suite if another member drops out or if only a larger suite is available).
  • The suite must include at least 50% Barnard students. Mixed groups (consisting of Barnard, Columbia College, and SEAS students) are encouraged to apply.  Columbia General Studies students are not eligible to apply.
  • All students must currently be living on-campus in Barnard, Columbia, or JTS housing (or have lived on-campus in the Fall if currently on an approved-Study Leave for the Spring).
  • One student must be willing to serve as Suite Coordinator (see below).
  • If you have questions about the eligibility of your group, please email mkingston@barnard.edu.

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Role of the Suite Coordinator

  • Assure that the entire suite meets with the assigned Res Life Advisor at least once a month.
  • Assure that the provisions and requirements of the group's SIH proposal are followed.
  • Assure that the groups abides by all policies and requirements set forth by Residential Life & Housing.
  • Take initiative for helping the suite deal with questions, concerns, and/or problems that may surface during the course of the year.
  • Be responsible for coordinating the process of filling any vacancies that may occur during the academic year.

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Important Dates

Monday, February 8

Application available to download from this webpage (see above).

Monday, February 22, by 4pm

Deadline to submit completed applications to the RLH Office (110 Sulzberger).  Sign up for an interview (see below) when you turn in your application.

Thursday & Friday, February 25 & 26

Interviews, conducted in the RLH Office (mandatory for all groups).

Friday, March 5, by 5pm

Applicant groups will be emailed with the decisions.

Wednesday, March 10, by 1pm

All accepted SIH groups must have completed and returned a signed SIH Contract for their suite/rooms.

Wednesday, August 31

Return to campus early for SIH Training & Planning (required of all participants)

 Note:  If your group is selected as a SIH suite, you will not need to participate in the Room Selection process.

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Questions?

Questions?  Email mkingston@barnard.edu or stop by the RLH Office (110 Sulzberger).

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