Want to know more? Check out an upcoming Information Session on Zoom:
Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 PM
Monday, November 2, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 5, 6:00 PM
Choose your session here. A Zoom link will be sent in advance of each session.
Student Designed Communities (SDCs) allow groups of residents with a concept for a theme community to propose their ideas and turn it into a college house reality lasting for the next academic year. This living option is application-based. SDC proposals will be reviewed by the Sr. Director for Academic & Residential Programming and the College House Directors and Faculty. Here are the basics:
- A minimum of 12 students are required to propose an idea (you will submit name, email, and class each student will be in Fall 2027 - e.g. second-year, third-year, fourth-year)
- SDCs are assigned by CHAS to an upperclass or four-year house that best suits the program's theme and specific needs
- SDCs will partner with the House Director and faculty of their assigned House with the execution of programming
- Enrollment in an SDC may be opened to other interested students during the room selection process, but students involved in the original proposal process will receive first priority to room assignments
- All students listed in the proposal must complete the Housing Application.
- Students proposing an SDC must participate in the Program Community Phase of Room Selection.
SDCs can be canceled if they do not meet certain enrollment requirements
The application is now open online. Submit your proposal by November 16, 2026.
Read "How to Apply" below.
Application Process
Read this document and understand what CHAS will require you to provide information about during your application and interview process:
Timeline to Submit Your 2027 SDC Proposal
- November 16, 2026: SDC Applications are due to CHAS
- November 16- 30: Individual College Houses will review proposals and may contact applicants with further questions
- Early December, 2026: CHAS will release decisions about SDC applications; SDCs may be matched to a House, declined or wait-listed
In order to apply for a SDC, the following information will be required:
- Name of student program lead (who will serve as the liaison to CHAS)
- Name of a faculty or staff advisor who will work with the community
- Clear description as to what the SDC offers the students who will be involved (such as academic content, House partnerships, residential connections)
- List of participation expectations in order for students to get the most out of the program
- Tentative schedule of events - for the SDC and offerings for the assigned House
- Tentative budget
- Names and contact information of a minimum of twelve (12) students who are committing to live in this SDC. You will need to complete this form and upload it as part of the application process: SDC-Participant-Roster.xlsx
- All students listed on the proposal indicated their intent to participate in the SDC
- All students listed on the proposal will need to apply for "Program Community" housing during room selection in January (exact dates TBD) by logging onto MyHomeAtPenn
- On the application, you will need to select your SDC from the list of PC options
- Students selected for the SDC will self-select their room assignment from rooms designated for the SDC
- Visit the Residential Services website for additional room selection instructions