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“When I first got to RIT, I was nervous about having to start all over and make new friends,” said Kevin Jacobson, a freshman member of Computer Science House (CSH). “During orientation week, I decided to visit CSH and was greeted immediately by some of the upperclassmen. That evening, I was invited to go with them to get ice cream at Friendly’s, and it was at that moment that I knew I had found my place at RIT.”

Jacobson’s experience is common among those who encounter Special Interest Housing for the first time. Most students don’t know much about Special Interest Houses (SIHs), and those who have never visited an SIH can’t understand the difference between living on an SIH and living on a normal floor or in an apartment. Most students don’t realize the strong community within each SIH, and how members forge relationships and share in experiences that last them a lifetime.

For those who don’t know, Special Interest Houses are living environments in the residence halls designed for students who share a common interest. They are not, as commonly believed, related to a student’s major. While each SIH’s area of interest is different, the common theme that each SIH shares is a sense of community among its members. While some dorm floors are dark and depressing — few people come out of their rooms or even open their doors — something is always happening on the floor of an SIH. Students form strong friendships amidst the social atmosphere, and find others with whom to study and take classes. SIHs hold events all the time, whether it is as small as watching a movie in the lounge or going out to dinner with a large group of friends, or something larger such as organizing rides for a skiing trip or assembling an intramural hockey team.

Each SIH is related to a specific area of interest (although some overlap) and has its own histories, traditions and unique “special rooms” that other dorm floors don’t have, like public lounges. There are currently eight SIHs on campus, situated in either Nathaniel Rochester Hall or Colby.

Art House, located on the second floor of Colby D, is a place where those who have a vested interest in art, regardless of academic major, can live and work together. As the oldest SIH, it is filled with rich histories and traditions, such as its annual House trip to Toronto. Its facilities consist of a studio that includes work tables, a cutting station, an enclosed gallery and a fully ventilated industrial spray booth where members can work on assignments, plus a screen-printing lab.

Business Leaders of Tomorrow (BLT), RIT’s newest SIH, is a House conducive to a strong business environment for people of all majors. Found on the first floor of Colby A, BLT contains a boardroom that is used by its members for group meetings and for speakers who come to talk about different business techniques.

The members of Computer Science House (CSH), located on the third floor of NRH, form not only a large social community, but also a group of people who work together on innovative and exciting projects. You don’t have to be a computer science major to become a member — anyone with a common interest in technology is welcome, including engineers, mathematicians, scientists and even liberal arts majors. Members are encouraged to work on projects, ranging from building a vending machine connected to the internet, to wiring and programming intelligent robots, to constructing a motorized shopping cart (and anything else imaginable). Members have access to CSH’s special facilities to help them with their work, such as a fully-stocked woodshop, a computer lab and a server room that hosts CSH’s personal network.

Engineering House (EH), found on the eighth floor of NRH, offers both a social atmosphere and assistance with the demanding studies that first year engineering students are likely to encounter at RIT. Consisting of only freshmen and sophomores, older members are encouraged to help younger members with their studies, such as math, physics and engineering. EH also holds a variety of social events, such as their annual SIH Broomball Invitational. Their special rooms include a study lounge, a room with a pool table and a lounge equipped with a large entertainment system and woodworking materials.

Located on the second floor of Colby B, House of General Science is for students who share diverse interests in science, including the traditional sciences, medical sciences, mathematics, imaging science and more. Members get a better understanding of other fields of science through the House’s community and events with the College of Science.

International House was founded to facilitate diversity and to encourage social interaction and friendship among people from all cultures. Found on the first floor of Colby C, I-House strives both within itself and around campus to promote relations between students from different cultures, and works with Global Union to educate RIT students on international matters. I-House members have access to a fully-stocked kitchen and participate in an annual potluck where each member cooks a dish, usually representative of their own culture.

Photo House, located on the fourth floor of NRH, is an ideal place for students with a passion for photography, film, and industrial design, and contains many members who aren’t even photography majors. Its facilities include two dark rooms, a print finishing room, a studio and a gallery so members can develop their photos without leaving the dorms and show them off as well. Photo House is also planning educational lectures given by working photographers at the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences for the benefit of all RIT students.

Unity House is for those interested in the culture of American minorities and the promotion of diversity and awareness of cultural issues. Found on the third floor of Colby E, U-House focuses on the academic, cultural, personal and social needs of its members.

Special Interest Housing is not for everyone, but, like trying a new food for the first time, you’ll never know if you like it unless you come and see for yourself. Living on an SIH is unlike living on any other floor or even in an apartment, due to the social community that is vital to the college experience. “Some people say that the dorms are expensive, but I feel it’s like taking a tour of Europe: While expensive, you still do it for the experience of being there,” said Thomas Schellenberg, another SIH member. “While academics are important, social interaction is as well, and you just don’t get that when you live on another floor or in an apartment.”

So if you are interested in a Special Interest House, there’s good news for you: SIHs are always recruiting new members, and open rooms on SIHs open up throughout the year as members leave for co-op and other reasons. Just visit the floor on which the SIH is located and ask someone how you can become a member. With such a wide range of interests, any student can find a House whose members share their interests and begin the experience of a lifetime.