Propose a New Theme House

A residential theme house is an opportunity for Earlham students to form an intentional community based upon academic or co-curricular educational themes. The residential theme houses provide students with an opportunity to extend and enrich educational and co-curricular opportunities for themselves and the larger Earlham community.

“…Our educational values, shaped by Quaker perspectives, are as follows: truth-seeking, wherever the evidence may lead; rigorous intellectual integrity; the nurturing of an open, cooperative learning environment; the recognition of the "teacher within"; the merit of lifelong learning habits. These values are rooted in a commitment to caring for the world we inhabit, improving human society, promoting global education, seeking peaceful and just transformation of conflicts, affirming the equality of all persons, and maintaining high ethical standards of personal conduct.…”
                -excerpted from Principles and Practices: “What sort of community do we aspire to be?”

As we recognize that student interests and community needs change and evolve over time, we actively encourage students driven by interest and conscience to put forth proposals for new thematic living options.

Proposals are reviewed annually by the Office of Residence Life in consultation with involved constituencies. Applications will be reviewed and College houses will be allocated as deemed appropriate for the benefit of the Earlham community. A proposal does not guarantee a house designation.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals should be detailed in addressing the need and potential for the house. The following are meant to be guidelines for completion; individual proposals should be reflective of the house and its goals. While not exhaustive, it is expected that all proposals will at minimum address the following:

• How will this theme house contribute to the Earlham College and larger Richmond Community?
• How will this theme house fill a needed gap in the EC community and programmatic offerings of the College?
• How will this theme house bring academic or co-curricular excitement and energy to the campus?
• How will this theme house encourage a faculty and/or departmental presence in the house?
• How will you market the theme house and ensure its sustainability and success?
• What criterion will be used in selecting residents?
• What role will your advisor play in the active community life of the house?
• What specific programming opportunities, if any, will the house provide for the Earlham Community?
• What specific programming opportunities, if any, will the house provide for the larger Richmond Community?
• How large of a house is needed (what is reasonable to fill at maximum, and what is the minimum size reasonable)?
• What types of common spaces are needed (living room, dining room, etc…), and how will this space be used?
• Please describe potential on-going house programs, house traditions, and attach a calendar of possible events for the upcoming academic year.

Additionally, all proposals must include:

• A personal statement from the house advisor (must be an Earlham College faculty or staff member) detailing their support of the proposal and program; this statement should include what support and resources they will provide for the proposed house. For houses that are tied to an academic or administrative unit, it is expected that this statement will address what resources and support will be provided by the supporting unit. (Theme Houses are required to have an advisor.)
• Contact information (name, email, and phone number) for both the proposed advisor and the proposal sponsor (contact information will be used should clarification be needed).
• A roster of proposed house residents for the upcoming year: if approved, students listed will be assigned to the house in lieu of room selection participation. If a house awarded is smaller than the number of students listed, students will be assigned in the order they appear on the submitted roster. Additionally, a list of alternate residents should be included: alternate residents would be assigned in the event of a vacancy among the original house residents or if the house assigned is larger than the included roster.
• House mission and values statement

Proposals must be submitted in their entirety no later than Noon on Monday, February 14, 2011. All proposals should be submitted to the Office of Residence Life located in Earlham Hall. Questions can be directed to reslife@earlham.edu.