Apply for Special Interest Housing (2012)

Important Dates

Monday, January 30, 2012 Application available to download 
Friday, February 10, by 4pm Deadline to submit completed applications to the RLH Office (110 Sulzberger)
Thursday, February 16 &
Friday, February 17		 Interviews, conducted in the RLH Office
After submitting their application, groups will be invited to sign up for an interview
Wednesday, February 29 Applicant groups will be emailed with the decisions
Monday, March 5, 4pm All accepted SIH groups must complete and return a signed SIH Contract for their suite/rooms
Tuesday, August 30 -
Thursday, September 1		 Return to campus early for SIH Training & Planning (required of all participants)
Saturday, September 1 &
Sunday, September 2		 Special Interest Housing Groups will help with Upperclass Student Check-In in the residential area where they live (required of all participants)

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

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Application (and sign up for Group Interview)

The application form is due to the Residential Life & Housing office (110 Sulzberger) no later than 4pm on Friday, February 10, 2012. The application includes essay questions; answers must be typed and attached to the application when submitted.

The leader of your group should sign you up for an interview timeslot on either Thursday, February 16 or Friday, February 17 using this Google Docs link.  A minimum of 50% of your group must attend this interview.

* You must be logged into gBear to access the sign up sheet -- if you are logged into another gMail account, you will get a message that you cannot access the document.

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 30 - September 1, 2011) and throughout the academic semester.

RLH will likely select 3 groups for the 2012-2013 academic year.

NOTE: Any SIH groups 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 group 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 group if another member drops out or if only a larger suite/block of rooms is available).
  • The group 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).  All students must be eligible for Barnard (or Columbia) Room Selection for the 2012-2013 academic year/
  • One student must be willing to serve as Group Coordinator (see below).
  • If you have questions about the eligibility of your group, please email Associate Director Frank Cirioni.

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Role of the Group Coordinator

  • Assure that the entire group 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 group 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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Questions?

Questions? Email Associate Director Frank Cirioni at fcirioni@barnard.edu or stop by the RLH Office (110 Sulzberger).

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