Themed Living Areas
Carnegie Mellon University offers a number of themed living area (also known as special interest housing) for incoming first-year students. Some of these programs are by invitation only, while others are open to all incoming residents who are selected based on their response to an essay question or other application criteria.
To learn more about these themed living areas, select one below.
Wellness Housing — add a holistic health promotion model to the traditional residence hall setting
Location: Henderson House
Open to: Any incoming first-year student interested in living a wellness-focused and substance-free lifestyle
Eligibility Criteria: Residents for this area are selected based on their response to an essay question that is asked on the First-Year Housing application. Residents who apply for this program should also rank it as the top of the building rankings.
Description: The objective of the Wellness House in Henderson is to add a holistic health promotion model to the traditional residence hall setting. The wellness housing program is student-driven and student input is solicited in all of its programmatic initiatives.
Participants who apply and are accepted into the program agree to the following:
- Establish a wellness-focused community environment in Henderson House
- Participate in health education initiatives provided in Henderson House and elsewhere on campus
- Assist staff in evaluating the health promotion efforts of the program and to make suggestions to further promote wellness strategies for the campus and Henderson community
- Abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs as a part of a healthy lifestyle and positive living
Leadership and Global Studies — a living learning community to develop leadership capacities
Location: Boss House
Open to: Any first-year student student
Eligibility Criteria: Residents for the Leadership and Global Studies residential cluster are selected based on their response to an essay question that is asked as part of the First-Year Housing Application. Residents who apply for this program should also rank it as their first living-area preference.
Description: Leadership and Global Studies is a living learning community for first-year students interested in developing their own leadership capacities and maximizing their impact on campus and the Pittsburgh community early in their college career. This community seeks to explore leadership concepts, their interconnectedness and their impact on how we live our lives.
Quantitative Social Science Scholar (QSSS) — extend classroom activities in a social setting with the peers
Location: Mudge House or Stever House
Open to: First-year students admitted into the academic program
Eligibility Criteria: First-year students who are admitted into the QSSS program are strongly encouraged to sign up for the residential housing option. Admitted students should check the QSSS program box on the Special Interest Housing page of the First-Year Application and should also rank "QSSS" as their first building preference.
Description: This living learning community allows students in the QSSS to extend their classroom activities in a social setting with their peers. Students in the QSSS should choose this shared living option.
Science and Humanities Scholars Programs (SHS) — initiative capitalizes on the talents and interests of SHS students
Location: Stever House
Open to: By invitation only — students must be invited to participant in the SHS program through the admissions process
Eligibility Criteria: All students who are invited are eligible to live in the SHS cluster. Invited students should check the SHS box in the Special Interest Housing section of the First-Year Housing Application and rank this option as their first preference.
Description: The SHS initiative capitalizes on the talents and interests of SHS students, intensifying their learning experiences while allowing them to build a strong residential college community. Activities include informal gatherings with faculty and staff; discussions that bridge the sciences and humanities; volunteer service opportunities; and meetings geared to help students define and work towards their professional goals.
Humanities Scholars Program (HSP) — an opportunity for Humanities Scholars to extend their classroom activities in a social setting
Location: Stever House
Open to: Students invited to participate in HSP through the admissions process
Eligibility Criteria: All students who are invited are eligible to live in the HSP cluster. Invited students should check the HSP box in the Special Interest Housing section of the First-Year Housing Application and rank this option as their first preference.
Description: The HSP program is an opportunity for Humanities Scholars to extend their classroom activities in a social setting with their peers providing academic and social support in and out of the classroom. Activities will include informal dinners with faculty, excursions to local cultural sites and events, guest lectures, films and discussions of issues related to the core humanities curriculum.
BXA Interdisciplinary Degree Program — extend classroom activities in a social setting
Location: Stever House
Open to: Students admitted into a BXA dual-degree program through the admissions process
Eligibility Criteria: All students who are admitted into a BXA program. Admitted students should check the BXA box in the Special Interest Housing section of the First-Year Housing Application and rank this option as their first preference.
Description: This living learning community allows students in the BXA Interdisciplinary Degree Programs to extend their classroom activities in a social setting with their peers. Collectively the Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) and Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA) programs are grouped under the single heading of BXA Interdisciplinary Degree Programs.
Quiet Living — 24-hour formal, concentrated quiet environment
Location: Mudge House C-tower, 2nd & 3rd floors
Open to: All first-year students
Eligibility: Any new incoming first-year student is eligible to request quiet living options. Students requesting this option should rank Mudge as their top building preference. Quiet living areas are filled by request in order of admissions deposit date until the quiet living areas are filled. Residents who are requesting a specific roommate should make sure that their roommate also requests quiet living.
Description: Mudge House C-tower is the only on-campus residence hall that offers students a formal, concentrated quiet environment. All residents who request quiet living are required to abide by the 24-hour quiet hours policy that is enforced in all quiet living areas.