We're excited and you will be too! The Department of Student Life has created a variety of new living options aimed at your interests, lifestyles and academic majors. Special Interest Housing at RWU can offer you a chance to learn something new, explore your major outside of the classroom or just expand your horizons. The great part is that you'll also be living with others who want to learn and experience along with you.

Living Learning Communities are designed to help students come together with others who have similar interests. Maple Hall will be the site of several of the planned Interest Houses and Cedar will house one. Nike will continue to be the Living Learning Community for Architecture. The smaller community clusters, in the complex, make it ideal for the Special Interest experience and the opportunity to live and learn in each theme area.

A very exciting aspect of Living Learning Communities are the involvement of selected faculty and staff in each of the theme unit. These individuals will serve as Faculty Mentors for each unit. Additionally, funds will be made available to help with the costs of some programs.

Residents of all living areas are in a unique position to inform and educate others. We hope that each member can share their special knowledge with RWU's students, faculty and staff.

The living/learning communities are: Marine Biology and Architecture. The special interest housing topics are smoke free and wellness. To help you decide which area might be right for you, we've provided a short description of each with some questions you may want to ask yourself before choosing.

Living Learning Communities

Architecture 
When there seems to be no end to the work or when you need some encouragement, Nike, the Architecture Area is a great place to come home to. With one studio area available in the building, Nike allows Architecture majors the opportunity to combine work and relaxation in a comfortable, convenient living area. Nike can be a stimulating environment and a welcoming community at the end of a very long day. If this is the place for you, then sign up to be part of the continuing tradition of Nike.

Marine Biology 
If you're a Marine Biology major, this is the place for you! Living with other Marine Bio majors can help when you want to continue classroom discussion. Topic areas from your major provide the opportunity to explore ideas in your field with faculty members who are eager to share the experience with you. Consider the Marine Biology unit if you'd like to enhance your coursework.

Special Interest Housing Areas 

Wellness/Substance Free 
Wellness is not just exercise and eating carrot sticks. You will be encouraged to address each dimension of your life: social, physical, intellectual, career, emotional, cross- cultural, and values.

Wellness is not telling others how they should live but how YOU can live a WELL lifestyle that you can create for yourself.

Wellness is also not something to be accomplished in a hurry; but, is a process that will continue throughout your life.

The Wellness unit will provide you with information and support to help you on your way to accomplishing some of these goals. Because of the aim of Wellness unit, this community will be substance free. Alcohol and smoking will be prohibited in all areas of the unit. Come join the Wellness community and begin your own process of self-discovery.

Now that you know a little about Special Interest Housing, here is how you can sign up for one of these very special living areas:

• Incoming freshmen should indicate on their housing placement questionnaire, available through Admissions, what area or community they would like to be a part of by selecting it on the scantron form.
  
  
• Returning students - please watch for special sign-up information in Lottery materials available in the Spring.

Good luck in your decision making. If you should have any questions concerning the Living Learning Communities or Special Interest Housing options, please do not hesitate to ask any Student Life Staff member. We look forward to seeing you next Fall as members in this new and expanded program