Special Interest Housing Communities
Kutztown University offers a variety of specialized housing options that are built to enhance the academic and social learning of our students outside of the classroom. Learn more about Living Learning Communities and Special Interest Housing below.
For more information contact the Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services Office.
Special Interest Housing Communities:
- Art (KUVA)
- Board of Governors Scholars Community
- Freedom Place*
- Available to incoming and returning students interested in a community committed to a substance free lifestyle
- Honors Program Communities
- Mathematics and Computer Science Scholars Community
- Neurodiverse Community*
- Available to incoming and returning students who identify as being neurodiverse, whether traditionally diagnosed or self-diagnosed
- Physical Sciences Community*
- Available to incoming and returning students with a major or an interest in the physical sciences (Physical Sciences majors include Astronomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Science, and Physics)
- Social Justice Community*
- Available to incoming and returning students
- Stonewall Community
- Transfer Student On Campus Housing
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What are Living Learning Communities?
Living Learning Communities (LLC's) are programs that give students a unique, inclusive residential learning experience that connects academic learning with residence life. Students enjoy all the usual advantages of living on-campus in a residence hall, with the added benefit of living among a group of students that shares academic goals, interests, and majors. Typically all students living in the community share the same major and all live on the same floor or general area of one particular Residence Hall. Students in these communities also typically share a common academic course that is assigned to their LLC.
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What is Special Interest Housing?
Special Interest Housing Communities are programs that offer the same benefits and ideals that Living Learning Communities offer to our students. Students enjoy all the usual advantages of living on-campus in a residence hall, with the added benefit of living among a group of students that shares similar interests or characteristics. Students in these communities typically live in the same residential area as others who share the common interest/theme, but are not required to have that interest or topic as their academic major. The students in these communities are not required to share the same major, and do not typically have an academic course assigned to their program.
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What are the benefits of participating in an LLC or Special Interest Housing Community program?
- Students participating in these programs will be able to connect with other fellow Golden Bears that share the same interests or academic goals which enhances their support and social network on campus.
- Typically, students in these programs receive more interactions with faculty and staff which can help improve academic connections and grades.
- Nationally, students that participate in Living Learning Communities and Special Interest Housing Communities typically have a higher retention rate (staying at the same school from year to year) and GPA.
- Resources are shared among students, faculty and staff in these communities that can enrich the overall University experience.
- Programming opportunities are increased for students participating in Living Learning Communities which increases their learning outside of the classroom, as well as provide opportunities for social and personal growth.
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How do I apply to participate in a Special Interest Housing Community?
Click here for the Living Learning Community/Special Interest Housing Community application information.
2023-2024 Deadlines:
Returning Students:
- Housing Application will remain open until March 3rd (indicate SIH interest directly on your application)
- Roommate Matches on My College Roomie are due March 15th
- Special Interest Housing Room Selection: March 21st-23rd
Incoming Students:
- Applications will be open from April 10th-May 12th
- Roommate Matches on My College Roomie are due June 5th
- Special Interest Housing Room Selection: June 6th-8th
Frequently Asked Questions
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I paid my ARD and completed the SIH Community application. When will I be able to choose my housing?
Special Interest Housing Room Selection is June 6th (9am)-8th (3pm). Students should login to their myKUhousing portal to select their assignment between those dates. Students will only be able to select from the building in which their community is placed.
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What if I miss the SIH Community application deadline? Will I still be able to apply?
Interest in joining a community after May 12th will be taken on a case by case basis. Please direct requests to slichter@kutztown.edu.
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Can I have a roommate that is not part of the SIH Community? Does the roommate have to complete a SIH Community application also?
Students are able to select a roommate that is not a member of the SIH Community for most communities. However, it is encouraged to live with another member of the community. They do not need to fill out a SIH Community application, unless they want to be a member of the community as well.
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Can I still be a part of a SIH Community if I do not want to live in that particular assigned hall?
This depends on the approval of the faculty or staff member advising the community. These requests should be emailed in advance to slichter@kutztown.edu
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Am I able to join multiple communities?
Yes and No. You cannot live in multiple places, so you will ultimately have to decide which community you want to live in. We suggest you visit each community's page to gather all the information about the community and the residence hall that it is located in to better make your decision. However, many faculty/staff community advisors still welcome students to participate in the meetings and programs of their community, even if you do not live in the designated hall. The faculty/staff member in charge of each community will make that determination. Students cannot be given access to buildings, or designated community spaces if they do not live in the hall. Those students would need to be signed in as guests at the Residence Hall's front desk to attend meetings.
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What if I cannot find a roommate?
Students who do not identify a roommate in the My College Roomie software will be auto-assigned to a space available in the community after June 8th. If the student has a preference, they should email housing@kutztown.edu.
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I am an Honors Transfer student. I would like to live in the Honors Apartments. Do I still need to fill out a SIH Community application?
Honors Transfer students who wish to reside in the Honors Apartments should email dehess@kutztown.edu and do not need to fill out a SIH Community application.
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I am an upper-class student, can I join a Special Interest Community?
Currently, the only Special Interest Communities available for upper-class students to apply to are:
- Freedom Place
- Social Justice Community
- Neurodiverse Community
- Physical Sciences Community
All other communities are for incoming first year or transfer students.