Abstract:

Within the Harvard housing system, university-funded House Committees (HoCos) sponsor events and help foster a sense of community. I conducted interviews with students in Cabot House students to figure out what students seek in a house, and how HoCo can best help integrate sophomores into house life. The interviews point to how students want their house to be a place of comfort, support, and familiarity during their college experience. However, students begin living in the house for their sophomore year, at which point many students already have pre-established communities on campus and are not looking to be engaged with their housing community. Additionally, students find it difficult to branch out beyond their pre-existing communities and take the first step towards engaging with house life. As a HoCo, it is a priority to find ways to effectively integrate incoming sophomores into the house to best enhance their residential experience. This can be done through increased interactions with upperclassmen, outreach, promoting inclusivity, and hosting a diverse series of events to help first-semester sophomores integrate themselves into the housing community.