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Cornell University

Housing & Residential Life

Program Houses

Want to learn more about art, theatre, or music? Act on your concern for the preservation of our planet? Reaffirm or explore an ethnic or cultural identity? Program Houses – or themed residence halls – offer the chance to develop and immerse yourself in interests within an engaging community of residents and out-of-house members. These close-knit communities have a high level of involvement, with regular events, programming, and outreach opportunities, often in collaboration with related academic departments.

To live in a Program House for the 2023-2024 academic year, rising sophomores and upper-level students must apply within the Housing Portal. Applications are due 11/13/22 (for priority consideration) or by 02/01/23 (final deadline). Incoming first-year students can apply after they pay their enrollment deposit.

  • Akwe:kon – one of the nation's first university residences established to celebrate American Indian culture and heritage
  • Ecology House – founded on the principles of sustainability and environmental justice, Eco is for any student looking to limit their carbon footprint while creating an equitable Earth for all people, plants, and animals
  • Equity & Engagement Community - fosters engagement in cultural exploration, identity development, and social justice education through a variety of programs, discussions, and training opportunities (open to upper-level students only)
  • Holland International Living center (HILC) – a diverse community of both international students and American students interested in cross-cultural experiences and learning
  • Just About Music (JAM) – a music-lover's dream home with a concert stage, a recording studio, classical practice rooms, and countless performance and listening opportunities
  • Latino Living Center (LLC) – celebrating Latino heritage and culture, with regular collaboration with the Latino Studies Program to organize events and discussion series
  • Loving House - An LGBTQ+ living spaced located within Mews Hall that is inclusive to all intersections of identity and embraces honest and frank dialogue to develop engaged community members and leaders
  • Multicultural Living Learning Unit (McLLU) – a global community of backgrounds and ethnicities, all committed to celebrating difference and promoting acceptance
  • Risley Residential College – a supportive environment for creating, performing, and exploring artistic expression, whether your interest is dance, music, theatre, or visual arts
  • Ujamaa Residential College – celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the African Diaspora
  • Veterans House – joining together the student-veteran community and civic-minded undergraduate and graduate students to live in a communal, co-ed environment
  • Language House – Cornell's language immersion residence, a part of Toni Morrison Hall on North Campus (open to transfer and upper-level students only). Explore Language House community pages.

You will be asked to answer brief essay questions for each community to which you apply. You may apply to as many communities as you like. Each community has a separate selection process, so you may be accepted to multiple communities.

The priority early application deadline is Thursday, November 13, 2022. Applicants who submit their applications by this deadline will be given priority consideration in the selection process (but remember that each community has a separate selection process). Applicants who submit their application by the priority deadline will receive communication from the individual communities by the end of the fall semester as to whether they were selected at the priority deadline or will be moving to the regular decision process.

Applicants who apply by the regular decision deadline of Wednesday, February 1, 2023 will be notified before room selection as to whether they have been offered a spot in the communities to which they applied. NOTE: This is NOT the same as signing a housing license. You can change your mind about where you would like to live until you do sign a housing license. The themed living community housing selection process will take place prior to General Room Selection.

Remember that you can get involved in any community at any time by signing up to be an out-of-house member! You get all of the benefits as current residents, and it's a great way to learn about the communities and the people you may be living with next year.

Our housing options vary in physical location and environmental design. Please note that not every building has elevator access, air conditioning, wheelchair-accessible rooms, and/or private bathrooms. Please see individual housing pages for more information, or contact the Housing & Residential Life Office at housing@cornell.edu or 607-255-5368.