In special-interest houses, students create distinct learning communities and live with a unified vision. They come together to share interests and passions, learn from and support one another, and educate the larger campus community. There are four Special Interest Houses accepting new and returning applicants. These houses include the Language House, the Gaming House,  the Robinson-Barland house, and the Healthy Living House.

Special Interest House Applications are due March 31, 2023.

Every year, students are invited to submit proposals for new special interest houses. The Office of Residential Life also hosts a series of workshops during the Fall semester to assist students with putting their ideas for new special interest houses into action.

For questions regarding the current Special Interest Houses or about creating a new Special Interest House, please contact residentiallife@goucher.edu

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Language House

The language house is a living and learning community that provides students with the opportunity to foster their learning of foreign languages and culture. Speaking a foreign language and attending different foreign language and cultural events is the central focus of programming within Language House. Students who choose to live in this house agree to practice speaking a foreign language in the house. All residents of the House must commit to improving their foreign language and cultural skills. Residents who reside in the Language House are required to attend 8 language tables per semester organized by the language coordinators. More information can also be found at the Language House's blog, found here.  

Healthy Living House

The Healthy Living House is a living community that provides students with an opportunity to choose a substance-free lifestyle and to live together in a supportive environment focusing on wellness. Students who choose to live in this house agree to live a substance-free lifestyle. The use and possession of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs by all resident students and their guests is not permitted at any time in the house. 

A substance-free environment is defined as one where the following is prohibited. Students agree to refrain from the use of these substances in their personal lives in, and out of the residence halls: 

• All use of cigarettes, cigars or burning tobacco in any form (this includes e-cigarettes), which is already prohibited by Goucher policy
• Use and possession of alcohol, regardless of age
• All drugs, which are already prohibited by state and/or Goucher College policy (i.e., use of marijuana, misuse and/or abuse of prescription drugs, etc.)

These requirements apply to all common areas, as well as private rooms and include use by residents and guests. All residents of the Healthy Living House must be non-smokers. This means that those individuals never smoke. Students who smoke occasionally or only outside are considered smokers and may not reside in substance-free housing.

Gaming House

The Gaming House seeks to provide a central hub for campus gamers for gaming activities, as well as an accepting and friendly atmosphere. The house's mission is to make gaming a more social activity on the Goucher campus, as well as to educate/involve the general campus population in gaming events. Gaming activities include, but are by no means limited to the following:

• Console Gaming
• PC Gaming
• Handheld gaming
• Trading card gaming
• Tabletop gaming

Robinson-Barland House

The purpose and mission is to nurture personal growth, interpersonal understanding, and mutual trust as the foundation for the black community on Goucher’s campus. The culture of the house will be a culture of celebration of black culture both locally and throughout the diaspora. This is a house for people who want to be engaged and cultivate community. We value social justice, cooperation, leadership, inclusivity, and respect.

Art & Media House

The Art & Media House is a community for those seeking to share their interest and passion of audio, video, and live-action media with other members of the Goucher community. Through informal social gatherings, regular community events, and continuing annual traditions, the house fosters an inclusive community where individuals can engage with other students with similar interests to enhance their campus experience and build life-long experiences.