First Year Houses
These houses, in which only first year students live, place a strong emphasis on exposure to new ideas and new people as we help residents become oriented to the Carnegie Mellon community, through our focus on transition, involvement, support, personal development, and commitment to community. Students in these houses are strongly encouraged to take an active role in the development of their house community, its traditions, and its culture through avenues such as House Councils, the Emerging Leaders program, and a variety of service-learning opportunities. The traditional residence hall layout of these buildings offers significant interaction between residents for maximum learning and social opportunities. For information on facilities, please click the House name.
Boss and McGill is a unique house community comprised of four distinct affinities/themes. Boss House is a co-ed first-year community home to Global Studies House, PLACE House (Program for Leadership And Civic Engagment), and the Humanities Scholars Program. As the only all-female house on campus, McGill focuses its programming on women's issues. McGill’s first floor is a dedicated space for first-year women and the second and third floors are a group of mixed-class women. Boss and McGill (BAM) staff members work with their residents to create diverse, engaging and exciting house and campus experiences. In addition to the themes inherent within the community, many house programs focus on the physical, intellectual, cultural, emotional, social and professional well-being of residents. BAM is a small house emphasizing a tight-knit family atmosphere and a place where everybody knows one another and is a critical member of the community. Events happen all of the time in BAM, more than twice a week. We have weekly TGIF events, an annual BAM-B-Q, Thanksgiving dinner, Carnival kick-off, and regular community service projects. BAM has an engaged house council that also assists in developing house-wide initiatives and opportunities.
Known around campus as "Big Blue", Donner House is the largest of the residence halls on The Hill side of campus. Donner residents are known for their active engagement with campus organizations and our strong sense of House pride. Donner residents are encouraged to explore new perspectives and challenge personal beliefs in this safe environment. With balance in their lives and respect for the community, Donner residents strive to become involved, resourceful and compassionate citizens. Notable House-focused activities for residents include the Justin Chua Variety Fair, Donner yoga, the Physically Phit program, Hilloween, Big Questions, and the Donner Discussion series. Recently, Donner House was a focal point for the filming of "Smart People."
With an emphasis on meaningful interpersonal connections and diverse programming, Hamerschlag House (affectionately called Schlag) is an all-male, first-year community with active RAs and an in-house Peer Health Advocate (PHA). To create greater interaction and innovation in programming, each RA participates in programming teams with topical areas such as leadership, personal and professional development, social and cultural awareness, community engagement, and personal and academic wellness. Residents of Hamerschlag typically enjoy a high level of camaraderie, enhanced by intramural sports, service events, and House Council initiatives, such as Schlagmare and SausageFest.
Living in single-gendered communities by floor, students here are encouraged to try new experiences and broaden their horizons through campus and community engagement. Whether involvement is within the House community, on campus, or in the local community, residents of Morewood E-Tower are known for their genuine relationships with others. The small staff of 5 Resident Assistants, 1 Community Advisor and 1 Housefellow provide support and promote a wide variety of cultural, social, and educational activities to enhance the residential and education experience at Carnegie Mellon. Each floor houses roughly 40 residents.
Known for its beautiful architecture and traditional charm, the former home of the Mudge Family provides an appropriate platform for the "Mudge experience." Students here are strongly encouraged to be an active participant in long-standing traditions focued on artistic and intellectual development, including open mic nights, the annual Dinner with the Deans and performances in the piano room.
Mudge Mentor Application is here
Scobell House Scobell House is home for 85 first-year men. Given its small size, the building lends itself to the development of strong friendships and meaningful realtionships among its residents. Events and programs in Scobell center on the four core themes of personal development, house pride, social responsibility, and campus & city engagement. Successful house initiatives such as the Big Questions program, Pittsburgh cultural outings, the Scobell winter retreat, and even a weekly S'mores study break illustrate the commitment of the "Scobies" to spending quality time with one another in both informal and structured settings.
Stever House is the first LEED silver-certified residence hall in the country and as such focuses many of its programs and experiences on promoting environmentally-friendly practices. Traditions in Stever House include the Sir Stever competition, Halloween decorating, Mardi Gras Madness, and the Earth Day Celebration. Leadership development is also very important to the house, with House Council members regularly interfacing with the RA staff to collaborate on a variety of community projects and initiatives. In addition, Stever House is the residential home to students in the Science and Humanities Scholars interdisciplinary program.
Known around campus as “the Rez,” the Residence on Fifth is part of the Oakland community. Students live in individual apartments housing 2-3 first-year students. Each apartment has its own efficiency kitchen and bathroom. The Rez has an abundance of community and programming space, including the Den, the dining room, and a community kitchen. Because of this common space the Rez is a vibrant and interactive community. The Rez is a new community for Carnegie Mellon and is still establishing its own traditions, but students can look forward to the annual pink party and more.
