Become a Housefellow

Q: What is a housefellow?

A. Simply said, a housefellow is a undergraduate residence hall director, a senior selected in the spring of the junior year to serve as a paraprofessional - in other words - a paid student. Housefellows are supervised by the Office of Residential Life. They report to one of two Area Coordinators and oversee the community development of their particular residence house. They attend weekly meetings, are extensively trained, and work with a large group of other student leaders.

And once a housefellow, always a housefellow. Regardless of whether it's your senior year or twentieth reunion, you will always be remembered by your peers. In turn, you will have many fond memories. This is the journey of a lifetime. You will grow in ways never imagined!

Q: What does a housefellow do?

A. In a word, everything. They listen, compromise, mediate, lead, direct, assist, implement, and tell jokes. They promote community in their houses through educational and social means that challenge and support the personal development of each resident. They work closely with the Offices of Student Life, Campus Safety, Physical Plant, Academic Deans, Counselors, Student Government Association, Judiciary Board, and other members of the Connecticut College community. 

For example: Housefellows host community-building events, help with roommate mediation, call in maintenance concerns, work with Campus Safety to ensure policy adherence, open/close the residence halls twice during each semester, help run Freshman Orientation, and assist in the transition of first-year students. 

Q: How do you become a housefellow?

A. There are two selection periods, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. During the Fall, juniors who will be studying abroad the following spring may apply. In the Spring, juniors who studied abroad in the fall, or who chose not to study abroad, may apply.

The application process is fairly short: you need to attend an information session, fill out an application, answer a few questions, have an interview, and partake in a group process. The process, though at times a little stressful, is fun - you will get the chance to meet other student leaders you never knew before. Housefellows are selected in early February and are notified soon after. There are 24 house communities on campus with 22 housefellows.

Q: How can I start on the path?

A. There is no pre-set path. The first thing the Office of Residential Life will tell you is there is no one type of housefellow. We've had housefellows who were transfer students, international students, student advisers, student government representatives, athletes, actors, etc. If you've got the desire and drive to lead a house community, then you are already on the right path.