Special Interest Housing Options

In addition to the traditional housing choices offered, we provide several special housing options. Preference for any of these options should be noted during on-line housing preferences process or indicated at Housing Lottery sign-up.

Healthy Choices Communities  Do you sometimes find it hard to meet other students who enjoy hanging out and having fun, but don't want to drink or smoke? Do you value a substance-free living space because it makes it easier to do your work? You may find what you're looking for in the Healthy Choices Community. This group of like-minded individuals creates a welcoming, fun environment for those who live substance free. The community expects that all members refrain from possessing, serving and consuming alcohol and all forms of smoking. In addition, everyone must be aware that their choices regarding substance use off the floor can affect those on the floor. A respectful attitude towards those who live substance free is encouraged and expected.

Global Learning Communities  Do you enjoy trying ethnic foods, seeing international films, or viewing culturally-themed art shows? If you answered "yes", then the Global Learning Community may be for you. This community of students (a mix of international and domestic students), comes together to learn about diverse cultures by getting to know each other and taking part in fun events designed to take advantage of New York City's great cultural and artistic opportunities.

In the freshmen Global Learning Community, residents have a unique experience that pairs their Freshmen English class with the special interest housing theme. The English class incorporates global issues, meets in a residence hall classroom, and receives special funding to attend a course-related performance in the city. This Global Learning Freshmen English collaboration allows students to interact more with their English faculty and partake in some exceptional activities.

Community Service Floors Do you like to engage actively in your community? Do you enjoy spending time with other people while volunteering? Would you like to strengthen neighboring Pratt and New York City communities through various service opportunities? If so, please join the Community Service floors (in both first year and upperclass buildings). The community's mission is to explore service initiatives that improve the quality of life for others around them. Possibilities include: art murals, park beautification, food and clothing drives, and promoting issue awareness. Students on the floor will choose projects and topics of interest to address.

In the freshmen Community Service floor, residents have a unique experience that pairs their Freshmen English class with the special interest housing theme. The English class incorporates social justice issues, meets in a residence hall classroom, and receives special funding to attend a course-related performance in the city. This Community Service Freshmen English collaboration allows students to interact more with their English faculty and partake in some exceptional activities.

Gender Blind Communities Do you feel your personal needs would be better met if you could live with others regardless of their gender and your own? Do you want to learn more about gender identity and development? The Gender Blind housing option in Willoughby Hall provides an alternative to single-sex housing. This opportunity allows students to live with others of differing genders in a community supporting cross-gender understanding. Students select rooms in apartments with the knowledge that roommates and apartment-mates may not be the same gender. Students will select their roommates; however, the current room-selection process does not allow students to determine their apartment-mates. In addition, if a student leaves an apartment before the end of the academic year, the remaining students will help determine the replacement.

Quiet Floor Communities  Are you annoyed by your current neighbor's loud music? Do you need lower noise levels to sleep, study and work? A Quiet Floor may be just the thing. All residence halls have quiet hours, but on a quiet floor, sounds (including those in apartmens, hallways, and amongst apartment-mates) are kept to a minimum 24 hours a day. All residents will be expected to sign a contract indicating that they will show courtesy and respect when asked by fellow students to lower the noise level. Quiet Floor Communities are an option for both continuing and new students.

 

The following list indicates which Residence Hall and Floor house the particular special interest community.

Community	First Year Students	Continuing and Upperclassman
Healthy Choices	Leo J. Pantas 6th Floor Vincent Stabile 5th Floor	Willoughby Hall 15th Floor
Global Learning	Vincent Stabile 1st Floor	Willoughby Hall 10th Floor
Community Service	Leo J. Pantas 2nd Floor	Willoughby Hall 4th Floor
Gender Blind	-na-	Willoughby Hall 6th Floor
Quiet Floor	Leo J. Pantas 7th & 8th Floors	Willoughby Hall Floors 11-14, 16-17