KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Last spring, Kalamazoo College awarded eight groups of freshmen the privilege of living in eight on campus houses. These houses were not awarded without merit, however, and each group had to undergo an application process to live in the house. They also had to pick their housemates and decide on a theme that they felt represented the spirit of their houses.
Six of these houses, known as "Living Learning Houses," are clustered together in an area known as "the grove." The other two are located on the other side of campus on Catherine Street. I live in one of these two houses.
The theme of our house centers on art. Everyone in the house is not an artist, but each person uses art as a way to express herself. In addition to having a theme, we also have to sponsor three events per quarter on campus. Two of these events are ones that we sponsor for the students. An example of an on campus event we are doing this quarter is "Cupcakes and Poetry." For this event, our house, known as the "Living Arts House," is encouraging the development of a community that revolves around poetry. The other event that we have to sponsor fall quarter is one that takes place within the house itself. This in house event allows the house members to learn about their theme and how to communicate this theme to the campus.
There are other responsibilities that accompany living in a house with others. House members must agree on chores and other duties around the house. Living Learning Houses encourage their members to embrace living in a communal sense.
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