Although many students said they consider specialty residences a vital element of campus life, many reported that interest in certain houses among the student body has declined in recent years as students turn instead to larger, newer dormitories such as the Student Villages.
Boston University officials declined to comment after repeated phone calls, but students said they are concerned about the fate of certain residences if demand continues to decline.’
College of Arts and Science sophomore Kat Monahan, who lives in the Classics House on Bay State Road, said she has heard rumors of lower interest levels in the program.
‘I know that our RA has been trying really hard to involve the house in more activities this year,’ she said. ‘Everyone’s trying to increase interest and get more publicity.’
This concern may stem from the elimination of the Russian House two years ago. After years of having a specialty residence for those looking to immerse themselves in Russian language and culture, the program was cut due to waning interest.’
Monahan said although she had heard of the possibility of this happening to other houses in the near future, she sincerely hopes it does not and suggests BU put more of an effort into advertising the specialty residences.
‘The school should definitely publicize the brownstones more,’ she said. ‘Maybe they could have some sort of fair with all the houses represented.’
Monahan said only a small percentage of those in the Classics House specifically requested to live there.’
‘There are a lot of people, I’d say about two-thirds of my house, who just asked to live in a Bay State brownstone and aren’t Classics majors,’ Monahan said.’
The Boyd House, designated for students in the Trustee Scholars Program, also fills vacancies with students not actually in the program. College of Engineering freshman Brittany Culpepper said a majority of the residents in her brownstone are not in fact Trustee Scholars.
‘I asked to live here,’ she said. ‘But my roommate had it as her third choice. And there are a lot of people who did not, but just asked to live on Bay State or in the Honors House.’
The two Honors Houses, on Bay State Road and Carlton Street, are two of the few specialty residences that continue to attract strong demand on housing surveys.’
Monahan said there are academic benefits of living with others with similar intellectual interests.
‘It’s so easy to get good advice from older students who have already taken the classes you are in,’ she said. ‘And you always have someone to study with.’
Culpepper said living in specialty housing is an integral part of her college experience.
‘Each house provides a unique culture which can really provide a sense of community, comfort, and familiarity,’ she said. ‘It’s a great way to help those people with special interests find others like them. My experience would not be the same without it.’
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