College Houses: records

Established in 1998, today’s eight College Houses are a cornerstone of the Bowdoin residential experience. Sometimes referred to as the “living rooms” of campus, the houses sponsor special meals, study breaks and other events for first-year affiliates. They also host campus-wide events from lectures and film screenings to apple picking trips and registered parties.

House residents are selected through an application process with input from faculty, deans, students, and staff. Successful selection is based on creative programming ideas and willingness to contribute to an energetic, cooperative team. All House members gain leadership skills that often propel them to other highly visible leadership roles at the College. Once selected into house, students can choose to run for one of the 5 officer positions: President, Vice President, Programming Director, Treasurer, or Communications Director. There is no shortage of support for these leaders- the Residential Life directors, deans in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, and faculty and programming advisors all serve as advisors to the Houses.

All incoming first-year students are affiliated with a House based on their floor in the first-year bricks. As affiliates they have full access and privileges of the House, as well as the opportunity to apply to live in the house as Upperclassmen.