Interest Houses emerged in the 1970s as a new housing option on campus, a way out of dormitories and into an environment centered around some shared interest or background. Over the years, the number, themes, and locations of the houses have shifted with changing needs on campus. Some interest houses of note include religious houses, social justice houses, and pop-culture houses. This section of the guide will focus on the cultural interest houses, Black House, CHAI House, and La Casa del Sol as well as the Intercultural Center.

The new Student Life and Housing Plan announced in the Spring of 2022 included the demolition of a number of the houses historically occupied by cultural or interest houses. To accommodate these plans, housing between 2023 and 2028 will be constantly shifting with groups moving out of old homes and into temporary locations before their new buildings are constructed. The plans end with all current cultural houses rehomed to new constructions and a larger Intercultural Center constructed near Union Street.

Read more about the Student Life and Housing Plan.