Residence Life
Theme Communities
Theme Communities at Reed
Living in a theme community is a great way to connect with other students, build community and enhance your residential and learning experience at Reed. Theme communities are intentionally designed living communities centered on a variety of shared academic, cultural, and personal interests. Theme housing allows students with common interests and lifestyle preferences to live together and support each other through thoughtful engagement, informal interactions and planned events. Each theme community has one or two Theme Coordinators and additional funds for events and activities.
New Theme Communities
We are now accepting proposals for new theme communities for the 2012-13 academic year. Residence Life welcomes all submissions and encourages creativity in proposing a new theme; all themes, however, should have a clearly defined purpose and seek to enhance the residential experience of students living on-campus at Reed. All new theme proposals are due to the Residence Life Committee by Monday, February 6 by noon to hooverb@reed.edu. The Residence Life Committee will review renewal applications and make approval decisions and placements by Wednesday, February 8.
Please read the proposal application for more information, dates and guidelines.
New Theme Proposal Application 2012-13 (PDF)
New Theme Proposal Application 2012-2013 (Word Doc)
Returning Theme Communities
Residence Life fully supports the continuation and development of returning theme communities, which provide a strong sense of community and unique traditions and programs for both new and upperclassmen students.
All existing themes interested in returning for the 2012-13 academic year must complete a brief renewal application. The purpose of the renewal application is for theme communities to inform Residence Life of interest in continuing next year and provide an opportunity for the theme to set goals and living preferences for next year.
The application must be submitted to The Residence Life Committee no later than Monday, February 6 at noon. The Residence Life Committee will review renewal applications and make approval decisions and placements by Wednesday, February 8.
Returning Theme Renewal Application 2012-2013 (PDF)
Returning Theme Renewel Application 2012-2013 (Word Doc)
Theme Coordinators
Theme Coordinators provide leadership and direction within the theme community. The Theme Coordinator and the House Advisor (HA) of the residence hall area meet regularly to discuss goals, programs, and community issues. There can be up to two Theme Community per theme community.
The responsibilities of a Theme Coordinator include:
• Initiating and planning activities and events for residents of the theme
• Managing a programming budget of $200
• Meeting regularly with the House Advisor and Resident Director to discuss goals, plan programs, and address community issues, as needed
• Participating in training sessions at the start of Fall Semester 2012
• Assist with the theme’s renewal application in Spring Semester 2013
• Assist the Residence Life Committee in selecting members of the theme community
Serving as a Theme Coordinator is an excellent way to contribute in a meaningful way to a theme community, support new students transition into campus living, and build leadership and event planning skills. All Theme Coordinators will receive training, support and help in planning community events.
Theme Community Fair
If your proposal is accepted, the theme coordinators must participate in the Theme Community Fair on February 15 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. in GCC- BCD. New and renewing themes will each have a table and be given a modest budget for supplies (e.g. treats, posterboard supplies, etc.). The purpose of the Theme Community Fair is for prospective members to learn about the different themes and ask questions of the coordinators before submitting their application to live in a theme community.
Theme Approval Process Timeline
• January 17: Theme proposal applications (both new and renewal) available
• February 6: Theme proposals due by noon to hooverb@reed.edu
• February 8: RLC determines themes; e-mail sent to coordinators
• February 15: Theme Community Fair in the GCC-BCD from 8 – 9:30 p.m.
• February 20 - March 2: Interested students apply for themes via IRIS. Names are sent to Theme Coordinators and RLC representatives for consideration.
• March 3 – 11: Theme Coordinators and RLC representatives meet to select community members and alternates
• March 12: Accepted members e-mailed and invited to join theme community
• March 18: Final list of residents determined
• March 28 by noon: Members sign up for the theme housing lottery
• April 2 - 3: Theme housing lottery. Accepted members sign up for a room in the theme community
Questions? Need more information?
Please contact Residence Life Committee advisor Britt Q. Hoover at hooverb@reed.edu.
2011-2012 Theme Communities
Theme residence halls are living/learning communities centered around an academic or extracurricular interest that the residents share. Along with the House Advisor and Theme Residence Hall Coordinator, residence work together to plan events each semester that reflect their theme and are open to the entire campus. These activities are often social, educational, or both, and sometimes involve faculty members from related departments, or staff members with related interests. This requires more time and participation from residents than a non-theme residence hall, but theme residents often cite a more close-knit and involved community as a great benefit.
2011-2012 Theme Communities
Tír na nÓg - Land of the Young (Griffin, McKinley, and Woodbridge)
One Dorm to rule them all, One Dorm to find them,
One Dorm to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,
In the land of Tír na nÓg where the shadows lie.
One does not simply walk into Mordor, but one can walk into Tír na nÓg. However, we can't guarantee that you'll ever want to leave. Here there be dragons, science fiction, fantasy, and a friendly community of nerd folk. This residence hall is about imagining, sharing, experiencing and telling tales from the distant future and far off realms. Come share your story with us. Welcome home.
The Co-Op (Garden House and Farm House) - Only available to upperclassmen
The kitchen forms the heart of the Co-op. We share meals and midnight snacks, making our own bread and granola while valiantly struggling to keep up with our own dishes. The Co-op is formed of ten returning students who have chosen to make a commitment to intentional community, consensus-based decision-making, respect and responsibility for the Honor Principle, awareness of environmental impact and ethics, and sharing a lot of really good food. We’re a family, and there may be no better feeling than coming home to the dinner bell and friends gathered at the table. Come join us!
Mad Science welcomes those who love science and who wish to live among others that share similar interests and the desire to explore them. Our close-knit community is friendly, diverse, and inclusive, and we participate in a wide variety of activities ranging from making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, to weekend science fiction viewings. If you are interested in joining this group of spontaneous, engaging, and generally awesome people but want to know more than 100 words of blurb, come to our open house.
People Ingesting Gourmet - P.I.G (Chittick)
This residence hall is centered upon the universality of love for tasty food. We aim to bring our inhabitants a chance to have a home cooked meal act as a beacon of deliciousness in a stress-filled life.
Japanese Culture (Scholz III)
The Japanese Culture Dorm, affectionately known as J-Dorm, is a place where Reedies come together to enjoy and learn about some of the finer points of Japanese culture. We love both the nuances of Japan’s traditional culture (read: the movie Samurai Fiction or proper nigri preparation) in addition to its pop-culture (read: study breaks at 2 in the morning playing Final Fantasy or watching a Kitamura film). The aim of J-Dorm is to promote and educate others about the awesomeness that is Japan and it’s culture, and to provide a friendly support for Reedies interested in Japan and its rich historical and modern cultural legacy.
Outhaüs (Naito I)
The Outhaüs is more than a residence hall. It is a family of Reedies interested in having fun in the great outdoors. It is a place where climbers, backpackers, cyclists, snow enthusiasts, kayakers, and anyone else with a passion for the outdoors can live together and get outside as often as they like.
Arabic Culture Hall (Sullivan I - Southside)
Students interested in the language and cultures of the Arabic-speaking world are invited to join this interest hall which will be located in Sullivan 1 (south). Students will live with a young Fulbright scholar selected by the Institute of International Education to study at Reed College and enhance Reed community understanding of Middle Eastern cultures and the Arabic language. Students with background in Arabic language who wish to continue their study are particularly encouraged to join this community although all students regardless of language background are encouraged to apply.
Substance Free (Sullivan II & Sullivan III)
Are you looking for the perfect residence hall environment? Do you want a community full of fun, creative, accepting members? Love the weekend parties, but prefer to live in a quieter, substance-free space? Never fear! The Sub-Free Community is here! As a sub-free community, this residence hall agrees to leave tobacco, alcohol, and other substances at the door. Full of wonderful people, a warm atmosphere, and lots of fun, Sub-Free might be your ideal theme community.
The women’s floor is a living option and not a theme community. We are still collecting applications so that people who desire to live in a small close community of women can have a place to live. Any spaces that are not filled by applications will become available in the lottery.