Housing and Residence Life

Theme Housing General Information

Click here for proposal form

Click here for individual commitment form

Click here for advisor form

Information Session
Tuesday, October 13 at 3 PM in the Ocoee Room in the University Center
Wednesday, October 14 at 8 PM in the Ocoee Room in the University Center

All proposals are due in the Housing and Residence Life Office no later than October 30, 2009 by 5:00 pm.

Theme Housing is an alternative to traditional residential hall living.  It is an opportunity to offer co-operative living among students with a common shared interest in promoting a sense of community and scholarship, both inside and outside UTC boundaries.  Theme House Programs may be co-ed or single sex (not living arrangement).

Proposals will be accepted for certain apartment complexes, whose themes will be determined based on the strongest proposals submitted and selected by the Theme Housing Committee.  If you are interested in creating theme housing, you must have people to fill all the vacancies in a certain section.  If you have participants who plan to Study Abroad one semester during the next academic year, you will need to name replacements to fill any vacancies.

All students interested in a Theme House must complete the online housing application, which is separate from the proposal.  Incomplete applications/proposals will not be considered.

Decosimo Apartments
UC Foundation

Criteria for Selection to Theme Housing

To apply for a Theme Housing, each group must present a written proposal, which will be reviewed by the Theme Housing Committee.  The following criteria were established to assist both the students, in drawing up a proposal, and the committee in selecting the groups for Theme Housing.

I.    Proposal – The overall quality of the proposal is very important.  How well thought out is the proposal?  How well is it presented?  How creative or unique are the ideas contained in the proposal? 

II.    Objectives – How realistic are the objectives of the proposed house?  Do these objectives contribute in a positive way to the College and the quality of life at UTC?  How do the objectives fit with the core values of the College?  Describe how you intend to actualize your theme and your projects as a group.

III.    House Members – A proposal may be denied if it fails to meet house occupancy requirements.  If a student leaves the house, Residence Life will accept requests for alternates to fill any vacancies.  The house members will have the right to deny a request; however, they will need to be cognizant that the vacancy must be filled.  A House Coordinator will be selected by the group.  The House Coordinator serves as a spokesperson for the house.

IV.    Faculty/Staff Advisor – A faculty/staff person is required as an advisor for each theme housing prior to proposal acceptance.  When the proposal is granted, a faculty/house contract will be established outlining the type of relationship which can be expected, i.e., formal and informal programming, as well as formal and informal social contact.

V.    Campus Outreach – What will the group do to inform other residents and the campus at large of its activities, and to invite faculty, staff, and students to programs or social events sponsored by the group?  Describe the nature of the Academic/Community Projects you intend to accomplish during both semesters. Please provide as much detail as possible.

VI.    Accomplishments – What positive contributions have your group made to the College community?  What objectives have been reached?  In what ways will your group continue to grow if granted to have theme housing?

VII.    Class Standing – What is the classification of your group members? If you are allowing freshmen to participate with program; how do you plan to recruit members?

The following Theme Houses will be available for 2010-2011:

Apartment Complex - Occupancy
Decosimo Apartments                           4 bedroom and 2 bath apartments
UC Foundation Apartments                    4 bedroom & 2 bath apartments

Minimum qualifications and requirements for living in a Theme House:

1. Completion of the online housing application by each member of the community;
2. Accumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher at the end of fall semester;
3. All proposals must be complete (including commitment sheets) at the time of submission to be considered;
4. Good judicial standing of all members at time of application and during the academic year*;
5. Organization and implementation of a minimum of 3 programs or activities per semester; should have an educational component related to the theme.  One program a semester may be in conjunction with scheduled events on campus.  The programs may include regular weekly events, recreational trips, or service projects.  The theme housing coordinator may plan programs along with the RA assigned for that area.
6. A written assessment of activities/contributions from each house will be required at the end of each semester.

*Failure to meet these expectations will most likely result in the immediate removal from the house

For more information please contact:
Liz Folse, Area Coordinator for South Campus
423-425-1715
Elizabeth-folse@utc.edu

Or
Ryan Ladner, Resident Director of Johnson Obear Apartments
423-425-1035
Ryan-ladner@utc.edu