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Special Interest Communities

What is a Special Interest Community?

Special Interest Communities provide an opportunity for students sharing common interest or passion to learn and develop as a community. This living arrangement creates a unique community with the opportunity to engage and build relationships with peers with similar interests and/or lifestyles. Special Interest Communities offer intentional programming that encourage personal and professional development. Each community will have a dedicated Resident Assistant and Professional Staff to foster community development, lead engaging programs, and partner with other departments and offices on campus to offer exciting events and workshops.

Benefits of living in a Special Interest Community include:
  • Opportunity to live with peers who hold same passions, beliefs, lifestyles, and interests
  • Connections to campus partners and resources
  • Increased sense of belonging to Otis College through roommate matching, community building, and programs centered around a common, specific interest
  • Personal and professional development through intentional programming, workshops, and conversations

 

Students in Residence Hall Room

Students have the ability to choose from the following Special Interest Communities:

IMPACT

Leadership and Service Community

Residents will be immersed in a community that embraces all aspects of leadership and engages in acts of service throughout the academic year within and beyond the Otis College Community.

Located in the Residence Hall; open to foundation students only.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. Identify and articulate their own leadership styles as it relates to their personal and professional goals.
  2. Understand their own personal identities and how their identities influence their role as a leader.
  3. Understand how ethics, morals, and values relate to their leadership dilemmas.
  4. Engage with the greater LA community as means to explore one’s civic responsibility as a leader

 

LIVE WELL

Healthy Living Community

Residents with a passion for wellness and a healthy living style will be engaged in a variety of health-related programming, initiatives, and events. 

Located in Park West Apartments; open to all students.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. Gain a greater understanding of campus resources related to health and wellness.
  2. Develop a personal wellness philosophy that supports their own academic and social experience at Otis College.
  3. Create a plan of action for healthy living that reflects their holistic personal wellness philosophy.

 

COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

  1. Live in designated room with other Special Interest Community students
  2. Attend the required Orientation Meeting led by dedicated Resident Assistant and Professional Staff
  3. Actively participate and attend minimum of 4 community opportunities each semester led by campus partners and/or RA

 

HOW TO APPLY:

  1. Students should complete the Housing Application and mark their interest in Special Interest Communities.
  2. Students will complete a separate Interest Form (emailed separately) explaining why they want to join and what they will gain from the community. Priority will be given to those who complete the Special Interest Form by May 1. 
  3. All interest forms will be reviewed by Residence Life and Housing and students will be notified May 15 if they have been selected to join the community.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Are there costs associated with the Special Interest Communitites?

    • Students living in special interest communities will be expected to pay for the charges associated with the location of their housing. Students in Live Well will be paying for Park West, plus at least a 10 meal plan (foundation students only). Students in IMPACT will be paying for the Residence Hall, plus at least a 14 meal plan. There are no additional costs for the students to live in these communities.

  2. Is housing still guaranteed if I am not accepted into a Special Interest Community?

    • Students will need to complete the housing application before receiving the interest formfor the communities. Students who have completed the housing application by the priority deadline of May 1 will still have a secured space in housing. 

  3. Do I have to apply every year?

    • Every student will need to apply each year they are interested in the Special Interest Communities. More information will be available about how to reapply each Spring semester.