Residential Life & Housing

Special Interest Housing Suites

The information below is from the 2009 Application Process. Application information for the 2010-2011 academic year will be available in early Spring 2010.

Note:  Applications are only available for pick up at an Information Session (see dates & locations below).


General Information

The Special Interest Housing (SIH) Program is sponsored by the Office of 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. Members must also be willing to return to campus a few days earlier each semester.

  • There are also opportunities to join with others who share a common goal in the residence hall such as the Resident Assistants, Graduate Hall Directors and Associate Directors.

  • 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.

NOTE: There will no more than 7 SIH suites approved for the 2009-2010 academic year.

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

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Eligibility Requirements

  • At least one member of the group must attend an Information Session (see dates & times below), in order to pick up an application.
  • Groups must consist of 3 to 6 students.
  • Each group application must also include the names of at least 2 student 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).
  • A Residential Life Staff Advisor will be assigned to each suite.
  • If you have questions about the eligibility of your group, please email aleo@barnard.edu or mkingston@barnard.edu.

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Role of the Suite Coordinator

  • Assure that the entire suite meets with both advisors at least once a month.
  • Assure that the provisions and requirements of the group's SIH proposal are followed.
  • Take initiative for helping the suite deal with questions, concerns and problems that may surface during the course of the year.
  • Abide by all policies and requirements set forth by the Special Interest Housing Committee.
  • Be responsible for coordinating the process of filling any vacancies that may occur during the academic year, in accordance with the guidelines of the Special Interest Housing Program.

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Important Dates

Monday, February 2

Information Session (2-2:30pm, Altschul 805)
Applications are only available for pick up at Info Sessions.

Tuesday, February 3

Information Session (8:30-9pm, Barnard Hall 409)
Applications are only available for pick up at Info Sessions.

Wednesday, February 4

Information Session (4:30-5pm, Lewis Parlor in Brooks Hall)
Applications are only available for pick up at Info Sessions.

Monday, February 9, by 4pm

Submission deadline for SIH Application (sign up for an interview on 2-11, 2-12, or 2-13 when you turn in your application)

Wednesday, February 11 through
Friday, February 13

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

Thursday, February 19, by 5pm

Groups will be emailed with the decisions.

Wednesday, February 25, by 12noon

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

Late August, TBA

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

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

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Questions?

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

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