Open House Learning Community

Phillips Residence Hall | 29 residents | Double rooms with private baths | Mixed coed floor
Sponsor: Gender and Women’s Studies Department | Open to any major
$200 learning community fee (exception request form)

Open House is an inclusive community where LGBTQIA+ and allied students can find and create an environment of awareness, respect, and advocacy for all sexual and gender identities. We’re a welcoming and supportive space focused on building community among our intersecting identities. Located in the Lakeshore neighborhood in Phillips Residence Hall, this is a perfect space for students to engage in gender and sexuality studies and to explore ways of being active agents of social change. Through events, leadership opportunities, and community building, you’ll engage with LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty in a purposeful and frequent manner, along with getting connected with a variety of different resources across campus.

How to Join

Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing
Select the Open House Learning Community as your top choice when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing
Prioritize learning communities over residence halls when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing
Receive your room assignment

Open House is one of the most accepting and friendly communities. Everyone is welcoming and it will honestly feel like you’ve gained a second family.
Darren S., Open House Resident

Seminar

Open House Seminar
Gender & Women’s Studies 100 | 1 Credit

This one-credit course is led by Open House Faculty Director and Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies Dr. Sami Schalk. The course explores past and present topics in LGBTQIA+ communities. Readings and discussions in the seminar will be extended and enhanced by impromptu conversations and experiences between residents and the Faculty Director, with opportunities to bring in guest speakers. This fun class is exclusively available to Open House residents and is available every fall and spring semester.

Focusing on historical and contemporary issues within LGBTQIA+ communities, seminar is an amazing opportunity to learn about and from LGBTQIA+ folks from first-person experiences in an intimate, supportive environment.

Programming

Community Goals

Encourage each student to understand and explore their own identity formation
Create brave spaces where residents can be their real, authentic selves in all of their social identities
Examine power and privilege and the crucial role of allies in making social change
Play an active role in fostering an environment of awareness, respect, and advocacy for all sexual and gender identities

Events & Activities

Each semester, Open House hosts a variety of events that support and expand upon the ideals of the community. The events vary from movies to speakers to cookouts. No matter the occasion, all events aim to build a stronger community and give anyone and everyone the chance to express themselves. Other notable events and activities include:

Bringing prominent speakers to campus
Field trips
Movie nights
Workshops
Local and national conference trips
Karaoke nights
Crafts
Cookouts
Study jams
Game nights

Gender Inclusive Housing

Gender Inclusive Community

Part of 4th floor of Lowell Center | Singles, doubles, and triples with bathrooms | Any gender

This community is available in the southeast neighborhood of campus just feet from Lake Mendota and State Street. Roommate preferences can be of any gender (regardless of a student’s assigned sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation). If you do not indicate a roommate preference, a roommate of any gender may be assigned.

New students who are interested should list the Gender Inclusive Community as a preference in My UW Housing.

Gender Inclusive Housing

Rooms in Dejope, Phillips, Smith, Waters, & Witte
Singles, doubles, and triples with bathrooms | Singles & doubles with a shared all gender bathroom

Gender Inclusive Housing is intended to meet the needs of transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ students and allies to select a housing assignment that is inclusive, safe, and comfortable.

New students who are interested should list the Gender Inclusive Housing as a preference in My UW Housing.