Special Interest Housing Selection Process for 2009-10

Universities across the country are recognizing the importance of student learning and success through creating collaborative living learning communities that cross traditional campus boundaries between the formal classroom and the residential living environment. Research repeatedly supports the notion that student persistence and success in a university setting is directly related to the establishment of a community and culture of learning across the campus.

The Department of Residence Halls and the Office of Academic Enhancement invites groups of students to submit applications for Special Interest Housing (SIH) floors for 2009-10. Each group should be organized around a specific theme that brings students together to enhance their on campus living experience. Special Interest Housing options provide a unique opportunity for any upper class student at UM, who shares a common interest  with other students, to live together in order to enhance their learning and overall experience at the University of Miami.

Special Interest Housing options at UM during 2008-09 included International Quarter, La Casa, Living the Green Life, STRIVE, and Wellness living learning communities, all located in the Mahoney and Pearson Residential Colleges. If you know of other UM students who would like to live together on a floor and share a common interest, special interest living is the thing for you!

SIH Goals

The goals of UM's Special Interest Housing (SIH) are to:

• Support student academic success and the educational mission of the University
• Develop unique communities within the residence halls that allow students to connect to each other and to UM through a specific theme
• Create connections between classroom learning and campus living
• Create communities where living and learning are dynamic and exciting  
• Increase overall student involvement and leadership at the University

Selection Criteria

The selection of groups of students to award Special Interest Housing (SIH) floors for 2009-10 will be based on each group meeting the following criteria:

• Theme – Groups must have a title and theme, which relates specifically to enhancing the overall residential experience through exploration of a unique interest, as well as supporting academic and student success.
• Application & Presentation – Groups interested in receiving SIH consideration for 2009–10 must complete the group application by February 11, 2009. If selected for a presentation, 3 – 4 group members will be asked to present to the SIH Selection Committee during the dates of February 17 – 19, 2009. Please see Group Application section below for more information.
• Group Coordinator – A student Group Coordinator should complete the Group Application on behalf of the entire group. The Group Coordinator will also act as the point of contact between the group and the SIH Selection Committee during the application process. Additionally, the Group Coordinator will also be responsible for:

If the group is granted a group presentation

• Organizing the group’s presentation to be scheduled during the dates of February 17 – 19, 2009.

If the group is approved for a SIH Floor

• Finding group members to assist with the group’s information table at the SIH Fair to be held March 2, 2009 from 11 – 2 PM in the UC Lower Lounge.
• Meeting with SIH Committee members to review Floor Member applications during the dates of March 11 – 12, 2009.
• Organizing a meeting of all floor members to be held during the week of March 30 – April 3, 2009. During this meeting a three member Executive Board (E-Board) will be elected and all future administrative floor duties will be taken up by the E-Board.
• Floor Members – To receive consideration for Special Interest Housing groups must consist of at least 16 but no more than 32 students. All students interested in being part of a SIH community must complete a Floor Member application (please see Floor Member Application section below for more information). The Group Coordinator will then meet with members of the SIH Selection Committee, during the dates of March 11 – 12, 2009, to review these applications and select participants.
• Faculty Advisor – Faculty advisors will work closely with SIH floors to assist groups in reaching their goals. We will work with each group individually to identify and match a faculty member who supports the theme of the community and will actively engage in the activities and mission of the floor. When possible, groups are asked to make a recommendation for a faculty advisor.
• Special Interest Housing Fair - All SIH groups approved for 2009–10 will be required to host a table at the SIH Fair to be held March 2, 2009 from 11 – 2 PM in the UC Lower Lounge. This is a great opportunity for SIH groups to introduce themselves to the University community, promote their floor’s theme, and recruit new members to their community.
• Programming – Develop a minimum of eight programs, four academic/educational and four social, throughout 2009-10. At least half of all programs should be planned with the faculty advisor.
• Executive Board (E-Board) – Each SIH group will elect a three member Executive Board to be comprised of a President, Vice President, and Secretary. The E-Board will be elected at a meeting of all floor members during the week of March 30 – April 3, 2009. E-Board members will be required to:
• Attend a mandatory orientation and training session tentatively scheduled for the dates of August 17 – 19, 2009. This will require E-board members to return to the University prior to the start of classes on August 26, 2009. Exact dates will be supplied to E-Board members prior to their election.
• Carry out the duties of their elected position.
• At least one member of the E-Board will be required to meet weekly with a SIH advisor.
• Conduct biweekly board meetings, independently or in conjunction with their SIH advisor.
• Hold monthly floor meetings with the entire SIH floor.
• Sit on the SIH Council and attend 2-3 council meetings each semester.

Group Applications 2009–10 (New and Returning Groups)

Groups interesting in obtaining Special Interest Housing for 2009-10 must submit an application by February 11, 2009 to the Department of Residence Halls, Eaton Residential College, Suite #153. The Department of Residence Halls and the Office of Academic Enhancement will notify groups if they have been granted a presentation no later than February 13, 2009. After the presentation process, the SIH Selection Committee will notify groups if they have been approved for a SIH floor no later than February 20, 2009.

SIH Communities will be assigned living spaces in either Mahoney or Pearson Residential College, and space will be awarded for one academic year. Each group will have the option of choosing/placing roommates in their respective block of rooms.

• Existing Group Application – If your Special Interest Housing (SIH) group is applying to return for 2009-10, a student coordinator representing the existing SIH group must complete and submit the Special Interest Housing Existing Group Application by February 11, 2009 to the Department of Residence Halls, Eaton Residential College, Suite #153.

New Group Application – If your Special Interest Housing (SIH) group is seeking SIH approval for the first time a student coordinator representing the interested student group must complete and submit the Special Interest Housing New Group Application by February 11, 2009 to the Department of Residence Halls, Eaton Residential College, Suite #153.

• Presentation – Groups selected to present to the SIH Selection Committee will be required to make a brief presentation on their proposed program. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes and address the topical areas listed below. There will be 10 minutes at the end of the presentation to respond to questions from the SIH Selection Committee. At least 3 – 4 members of the group should participate in the presentation. All members can be present to watch if so desired.

Community Purpose

• Provide a brief description of the theme & purpose of your SIH program.
• How does your community's mission & goals enhance student learning and support the academic mission of the University?
• Why do you need a residence hall to carry out your purpose/goals?
• How does your group plan to be active and positive members of the University community if your program is selected?

Community Development

• Discuss some possible programming topics.
• What do you see as the ideal relationship between your Special Interest Housing community and other students living in the Residential College?
• How does the existence of this community benefit not only the members of your community but the general residential college students as a whole?

Floor Member Applications 2009–10 (New and Returning Students)

ALL students interested in being a part of a Special Interest Housing group for 2009-10 should closely review the expectations below and MUST submit a brief Floor Member Application by March 9, 2009 to the Department of Residence Halls, Eaton Residential College, Suite #153.

Members of the SIH Selection Committee in conjunction with the Group Coordinator will determine program participants. Students will be informed if they have been selected to join a SIH community no later than March 13, 2009.

For more information and/or questions during the application process, please contact Emily Vaughan at eevaughan@miami.edu or stop by the Department of Residence Halls office in Eaton Residential College, Suite #153.

Floor Member Expectations – Students living on a SIH floor will be expected to:

• Attend a mandatory floor member meeting the week of March 30 – April 3, 2009at which the floor’s 2009–10 Executive Board will be elected.
• Attend a mandatory floor orientation session tentatively scheduled for August 24, 2009. Please note this may require you to return to University earlier than the start of classes on August 26, 2009. An exact date will be supplied to floor members at the mandatory floor member meeting during the week of March 30 – April 3, 2009.
• Attend monthly floor meetings throughout the 2009–10 academic year.
• Actively assist in the creation and implementation of programming initiatives on the floor.
• Participate in at least half of all floor programming during the 2009–10 academic year.

Failure to meet any of the above requirements could result in removal from the program.

Information Sessions

To learn more about this exciting living opportunity, we encourage you to attend one of the SIH Information Sessions listed below:

• January 29, 2009 – 7:00pm in Hecht Residential College

If you still have questions or can’t attend one of the information sessions listed above, please stop by our table in the UC Breezeway during one of the following dates.

• February 3 – 5, 2009 – 11:00 – 2:00 PM 
• February 24 – 26, 2009 – 11:00 – 2:00 PM

Important Dates

• 12/12 – Applications Available
• 2/11 – Group Applications Due (Existing & New Groups)
• 2/13 – Groups Informed of Presentation Status & Time
• 2/17 – 2/19 – Group Presentations to SIH Selection Committee
• 2/20 – Groups Informed of Approval Status for SIH Space
• 3/2 – Special Interest Housing Fair
• 3/9 – Floor Member Applications Due
• 3/11 – 3/12 – Floor Member Applications Reviewed (Existing & New Students)
• 3/13 – Students Informed of Floor Member Approval Status
• 3/30 – 4/3 – SIH Floor Meetings & Executive Board Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I apply?
Special Interest Housing offers students an opportunity to live together around a common theme and engage with faculty and peers though programs, activities, discussions, and other exciting events! This is a great way to connect with faculty, other students, and be more involved with the UM community.

What are the benefits of living on campus?
Research has shown that students who live on campus make better grades, have closer relationships with faculty and friends, and are more satisfied with their overall college experience. Also, living on campus is more convenient, less costly, and students are more involved in campus events than students who live off campus. Plus students have a hall staff available to them 24-hours a day!

What am I expected to do by living on a special interest floor?
Students who reside in UM's special interest housing floors are expected to be involved, participate in floor events and monthly floor meetings and abide by all Department of Residence Halls policies and procedures.

How many students are required for our special interest community to be considered?
Groups need at least 16 but no more than 32 students in order to apply.

Are there any additional costs?
None.

What is a Faculty Advisor?
A Faculty Advisor is someone who works closely with the floor to plan programs, connect the group to other faculty, and serves as a mentor to the students on the floor.

What if I am unable to attend all of the programs/events in my community?
Attendance and participation in at least half of the special interest floor events is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, please speak to a member of your Executive Board. The success of the program relies on the initiative, participation, and involvement of its members!

Which buildings will house the Special Interest Housing communities?
Mahoney and Pearson Residential Colleges.

When is my application due?
Group Applications (Existing & New Groups) – February 11, 2009
Floor Member Applications (Existing & New Students) – March 9, 2009

Where can I get more information?
Office – Office of Academic Enhancement, Pearson Residential College, Suite #144
Online – www.miami.edu/sih
Email – eevaughan@miami.edu
Phone – (305) 284-3350