community service housing models

hello,
the service house at southern methodist university is in its sixth year of
existence, and we are looking to examine the current model we use for this
themed experience. right now, the residents (there are 27 in the house)
commit to 20 hours of service p/semester, participation in committees that
assist with various responsibilities within the house, attendance at weekly
house meetings, weekly dinners, and 2 retreats p/year.   

i have been trying to identify colleges and universities that provide a
special service theme housing option, so as to collect a variety of ideas
that would help us create an improved model.  i would greatly appreciate any
information that you could offer about your service housing option.
specifically, i am interested in the following:

1.  what is the structure of the theme housing(i.e. do residents have to
complete a certain number of service hours? do they create a project for the
other residents? is this in conjunction with a class? what do they do for
the house outside of community service? etc...)

2.  is there an application process?  why/why not?

3.  are all residents who live on the floor/house committed to the theme
(requested to live there specifically because of the theme), or is it mixed?
what have you found to be advantages/disadvantages of this set-up

4.  what sort of challenges do you encounter within this community?

5.  if you could design a model for this sort of theme housing what would
you include?

6.  what other institutions provide such a service theme within their
residence life department?

please also add any thoughts that you would like to share which aren't
included in these questions. thank you in advance for responding to this
email!


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kathleen edwards - service house hall director
residence life & student housing
office of community involvement
southern methodist university
(214) 768-6498
kathleen@mail.smu.edu