Special Interest House Applications became available beginning December 6, 2004. Special Interest Houses (SIH) offer students the opportunity to create a unique and exciting living experience for themselves. The program provides space for groups of students who share a common goal, set of beliefs or passions to impact the Carnegie Mellon University community. SIH is different from the block housing option in that SIH requires a commitment to contribute to the betterment of the campus community. SIH is not only an opportunity for people who are friends to live together; it is an opportunity to bring an individual interest or passion to a larger community. Groups interested in SIH are encouraged to think critically about the impact they hope to make and how living in a common suite or house will facilitate the group's goals.

There are spaces available for SIH in Margaret Morrison and Doherty Apartments and Resnik. The Margaret Morrison and Doherty Apartments have kitchen facilities. The suites in Resnik have access to shared floor kitchens. Students in SIH share their interests and passions with the larger community through programming, and there is funding available to help support their efforts. The SIH work closely with the area housefellow and residential staff to achieve their goals.

Examples of past and current SIH include: Female Athletics, Men's Athletics, CM Wants U, EMS house, Adventure Sports and more. SIH have worked to better the larger community through events like: gallery of student art work, Youth Football Day, leadership dinners, CPR and first aid training, and supporting the food bank.

Applications for Special Interest Houses are available on the Student Life web site, www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/student-life. They are due January 24, 2005 and interviews will take place on January 27 and 31, 2005. Committee decisions will be made on February 11, 2005. There is a full program description and selection guidelines included in the application. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Rossi in the Student Life Office at 8-2142 or jrossi@andrew.cmu.edu.

SIH Selection Timeline
December 6, 2004 SIH Application Available
January 24, 2005 SIH Application Due
January 27 & 31, 2005 SIH Interviews
February 11, 2005 SIH Decisions Made