Prospective SMUSHies
Formal Requirements
- Perform a minimum of 20 hours of individual service and 10 hours of service with the house each semester
- Attend a minimum of 2 reflection sessions
- Submit your service hours by Reading Day each semester
- Fully participate in the House Retreats (one per semester)
- Attend and participate in weekly House Meetings
- Actively participate in a House Committee:
- Service - plans service projects for the house
- Special Events - plans parties, themed events, and other unique experiences
- Recruitment/Public Relations - plan recruitment of new residents
- Kitchen - manage the kitchen and improvements to the house
- Faculty Initiatives - encourage interaction between residents and faculty
- Historian - preserve SMUSH history
- Cook one House Dinner per semester
- Assist in recruiting new residents for the following semester
- Assist with kitchen duty at least once per semester
- Register and complete Wellness 2170 (choices II course) within the first year in the House
Community Life
During the first few days of each semester, everyone in the house participates in House Retreat. At this retreat, new and old residents find common ground, hang out, and generally also do a service project of some sort. Although the service takes priority for a few hours, the remainder of the time is for building friendships and having fun.
Each week of the semester, a pair of residents prepares a large dinner to share with everyone in the house. The costs for the meal are funded by Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH), so all you do is decide what you want to cook! In the past, SMUSH house dinners have ranged from simple meals of a few soups to homemade chicken pot pie to complete Thanksgiving feasts. Eating meals together only the SMUSH family closer together in a way that is almost impossible to find in a traditional residence hall.
In addition to these activities, the Resident Assistants and Special Events committee put on a variety of programs throughout the semester. Past programs include practical activities such as TIPS certification, time management or test preparation assistance, and resume building, but also fun programs like movie nights, parties, contests, and other similar activities.
Unlike most other on-campus residence halls, every member of the Service House attends house meetings, where they can participate in how the house is governed. Residents are in charge of almost every aspect of life in the house, from running meetings, to planning events, to setting and enforcing many of the rules.
When to Apply
The Service House generally holds two application periods per year. The main application process for fall assignments takes place in early spring (February). Occasionally, the Service House has a few openings for the spring semester and will make applications for that available mid-fall semester (October.) If you are interested in finding out more information about how to apply to live in this community, please contact the Residential Community Director.
Forms
Application [2012-2013]