Are you interested in making art, music or an inspired meal? Learning more about different religions and faiths? Promoting literature, sustainability or social awareness?
If so, consider Union’s 13 theme houses, on-and off-campus residences where like-minded upper-class students live together for the purpose of embracing and promoting a common theme. These unique, self-directed living environments provide campus wide programs throughout the year. The houses, all co-ed, range from apartments of seven students to houses of 20 students or more.
At capacity, theme houses accommodate 130 students who are selected through an application, and GPA review process. One student in each house takes on the responsibility of house manager. In addition, the manager or another house representative sits on the Theme House Consortium, a student governing organization. Together, managers and consortium representatives plan internal events. Each house must also host at least three events each year that are open to the campus community.
ARTS House
Established: 2005
Focus: Art and creativity
Location: 201
Seward Place
# of students: 10
ARTS House is designed to create an environment that fosters
creativity and imagination. Its programs speak to the mission of bringing
awareness to all artistic endeavors on campus.
Bronner House
Established: 1985
Focus: Multicultural
Location: The John
Smith House, adjacent to Admissions Office at Grant Hall
# of students: 15
Bronner House strives to raise awareness of the diverse
cultures and ethnic groups that make up the campus community. Also known as a
multicultural center, it is located next to Breazzano House and the Office of
Admissions at Grant Hall. Coming together in a family atmosphere, residents
learn about each other’s cultures and backgrounds.
Culinary House
Established: 2008
Focus: Cooking and food
Location: 319
Seward Place
# of students: 8
Culinary House was founded by students who love to cook. House
members believe that food can act as a catalyst for social interaction, and
they strive to forge connections among students through food.
Dickens House
Established: 2008
Focus: Literature
Location: 315
Seward Place
# of students: 8
Dickens House residents celebrate their love of literature
and learning. Named after 19th century English novelist Charles
Dickens, the house hosts events based on literary works, themes and questions.
Europa House
Established: Early
2000s
Focus: Central and
Eastern European cultures
Location: 209 Seward
Place
# of students: 7
Europa House residents are dedicated to raising awareness
among the Union community about the cultures and languages of Central and
Eastern Europe, and to providing a place for students to use a second language
outside the classroom. Residents are not required to speak a foreign language
or have European heritage.
Iris House
Established: 2008
Focus: LGBTQ community
Location: 301
Seward Place
# of students: 8
Iris House is the first Union College residential space
dedicated to concerns of the LGBTQ community. It aims to provide a comfortable
space for LGBTQ students and student allies, and to raise awareness about
historical and contemporary LGBTQ issues.
Music Culture House
Established: 2005
Focus: Music
Location: 32 Union Avenue (across the street from Union
tennis courts)
# of students: 7
Music Culture House is a small community of musicians and
music lovers who are interested in broadening their musical tastes, fostering
musical abilities and enhancing the culture of music on campus.
Ozone House
Focus: Sustainable campus living
Location: 1294
Lenox Street
# of students: 15
Ozone House promotes environmental awareness while serving
as an example of sustainable living. Residents work together to create a
sustainable and fun atmosphere. The house founded the Ozone Café, and members work
closely with various campus departments to offer sustainable options for Union.
Religious Diversity House
Established: 2009
Focus: Religion and spirituality
Location: 215
Seward Place
# of students: 7
Religious Diversity House brings together students for open discussion
and dialogue. It creates campus wide programs around religious holidays,
lectures on various faith traditions and other opportunities to raise awareness
of different traditions and faiths.
Safe House
Established: 2008
Focus: Safe space
Location: 325
Seward Place
# of students: 7
Safe House was created to assist survivors of domestic
and/or sexual abuse and violence. All house members are trained to be student
advocates in this regard, and they work with various offices and departments to
provide education and programming for the campus community.
Symposium House
Focus: Political and social discourse
Location: 233 Seward Place
# of students: 12
Symposium House was one of the first theme houses on campus,
offering dinner and discussion with a focus on political and social awareness.
Residents foster an intellectual forum in which faculty and students can openly
converse and cultivate a social atmosphere based on discussion, dialogue and
honesty.
Thurston House
Established: 1996
Focus: East Asian culture
Location: 207 Seward
Place
# of students: 8
Thurston House promotes awareness of East Asian issues and
culture. It hosts discussions with faculty members, East Asian cinema and other
programs open to the campus community. The house continues the strong tradition
laid forth by History and Political Science Professor Emeritus Donald Thurston, who created the College’s East
Asian Studies program at Union and was
a frequent faculty member in residence on terms abroad in China and Japan.
Wells House
Established: 1995
Focus: Community service
Location: Behind
the Admissions Office at Grant Hall
# of students: 20
students
Wells House serves the community through volunteer work on
campus and in Schenectady. Each house member is required to complete 20 hours
of community service a term.
