Special Interest Houses
If you are inspired about art, crazy about computers, or passionate about photography, you may want to live in one of RIT's special-interest houses. Designed for students who life to share their interests, these eight houses offer a specific academic focus to residence-hall living and provide a way to tailor activities to a common group. Special-interest houses are self-governing organizations that also have a resident advisor living on floor. Selection of membership for the house is based on an initial written application process, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be received by May 1 in order to be considered for fall membership. Current house members are actively involved in the selection of new members with assistance from their residential life administrative advisor, Housing Operations staff, and academic advisor. The demand to live in some houses far exceeds available space.
All house members are expected to pay dues to support house activities and purchase supplies for the extra on-floor amenities available to you if you live in this space. Dues range from $45 to $105 per year depending on the house. Because the houses are designed for members to share interests, they require residents to be active in house events, attend weekly meetings, and to participate in special projects throughout the year.
Special-interest houses are close-knit communities, some of which have been in existence for 35 years. The connections to faculty, departments, upper-class students, and alumni make them a truly special experience.
Art House
The first special-interest house on campus, provides a creative and productive atmosphere for its members. Open to all campus residents of any major, it is of particular interest to students enrolled in the School of Art, the School of Design, and the School for American Crafts.
Art House provides a number of dedicated workspaces with equipment to allow members to comfortably complete assignments, study, or socialize. One private space includes work tables, a cutting station, an enclosed gallery, a fully ventilated industrial spray booth, and a space that holds a community store of resources and tools. In addition to the studio space, there is a darkroom and a screen-printing lab with an industrial light table. House members also enjoy participating in many activities pertaining to art, community service, photography, and social programs, including an annual trip to Toronto. Do to its high concentration of art majors, Art House provides a mentoring and nurturing environment for future artists and craftspeople with support from RIT’s faculty and staff.
Business Leaders for Tomorrow
Interested students can join a community focused on the professional world of business. The house's "boardroom" may be used by students for club meetings, conferences, alumni and corporate speakers, and mentoring opportunities. Boardroom resources include a network server, several workstations, and a laser printer. Through social and professional activities, a commitment to volunteering, and field trips, Business Leaders of Tomorrow will work to build a strong business environment among RIT students.
Computer Science House
As one of the most popular and oldest special-interest houses on campus, Computer Science House provides its members with a state-of-the-art technology environment as well as a warm and friendly "family" atmosphere. Not only a home for computing majors, CSH is a diverse organization consisting of students from all programs.
Members operate and maintain house computing resources, including e-mail, Web servers, and both wired and wireless networks. An on-floor lab supplies 24-hour computing facilities to all members. Those who wish to expand their technical knowledge will benefit from specialized project rooms and the board expertise of other members. CSH offers a vibrant social atmosphere comprised of activities ranging from movie nights and camping trips to house meetings and faculty gatherings. With a strong ongoing connection to its 30 years of alumni, CSH offers unique networking opportunities between its members and industry professionals.
Visit the Computer Science Website
Engineering House
Engineering studies at RIT are demanding, but first-year students will find they have an advantage by living in Engineering House, where help is always right next door. Engineering House promotes a close professional relationship with the College of Engineering's faculty and resources.
In addition, its study lounge resources include several computers, a floor printer and electronic workstations. Since Engineering House has a strong family atmosphere, students work together on projects and participate in and sponsor many activities throughout the year. Some events include movie nights, athletic events, intramural sports, house tripd, community projects, and an annual freshman project that is designed solely by the freshman class.
Visit the Engineering House Website
House of General Science
The House of General Science promotes a friendly environment for students who share diverse interests in science. The house attracts students who are interested in the traditional sciences (i.e., chemistry and physics), the medical science professions, mathematics and statistics, and innovative fields like biotechnology, bioinformatics and imaging science. Through interaction with your housemates, you'll get the chance to gain a better understanding of the different sciences, share your curiosity, and expand your sense of discovery. The house maintains a close link with the faculty of the College of Science, and many social, recreational, and educational events are planned to encourage communication between house members and the campus scientific community. The house not only provides students with a great way to establish lifelong friendships, but also a great way to make professional contacts in your career field.
Visit the House of General Science Website
International House
"Diversity is the one thing we all have in common. We celebrate it everyday."
(Anonymous)
Students in International House (I-House), live by this saying. I-House is made up of students from all over the world, studying different majors, and of course, sharing different cultures. The house promotes positive international relations among students and develops its own culture by borrowing a little from each member. House members partake in activities such as intramural sports, community service activities, and social outings, including ski trips, movie theater nights, and trips to amusement parks.. They hold quarterly house dinners in their own fully equipped kitchen/lounge, which allows you to get a taste of different delicacies.
Making friends at I-House is inevitable. I-House students are very friendly and everyone has something special to add to the house. A strong sense of community is built through everyday interactions among the house members. By becoming an on-floor or off-floor member, you have the opportunity to excel, learn, and lead. All nationalities are welcome.
Visit the International House Website
Photo House
Photo House is the ideal place for RIT students with a passion for photography, whether they are photo majors or not. Photo House draws students from many programs, including film, industrial design, and computer science. Photo House provides convenient facilities that are open 24 hours a day. Without leaving your hall you can shoot in the studio, print in one of two black-and-white darkrooms, mount in the print finishing room, and present your work in the gallery on the Photo House website.
Members are always finding fun things to do in their free time, including movie-nights, gallery visits, picnics, and an annual trip to PhotoEXPO in NYC. Looking to develop your photographic style? Several times a year, professionals in the field come to speak at Photo House and share their real-world experiences. Photo House members also benefit from mutual critiques of their work in a supportive atmosphere. If you are planning on coming to RIT, why not join Photo House - RIT's residential center for photographic creativity.
Unity House
Unity House is dedicated to students who are interested in learning more about African American culture. Unity House accomplishes this mission in an environment that promotes diversity and awareness of cultural issues through a variety of workshops, programs, and community service activities.
Members are active in various organizations on campus such as Black Awareness Coordinating Committee,Latin American Student Association, National Society of Black Engineers, Caribbean Students Association, and Global Union. In addition, members participate in fundraisers for the house, African American holiday celebrations, and other social events. The comfortable atmosphere supports and promotes success and leadership for all members.
Most importantly, the members of Unity House can help you expand your horizons through campus involvement and building long lasting relationships with students, faculty and staff. The friendly and nurturing members look forward to making you a part of their family.