Our Mission & Values
The College Houses are residential communities for Penn undergraduates that:
- Connect the academic life of the University with the residential experience.
- Develop smaller, intimate communities that students call home and from which they can more comfortably navigate the complexities of a large university.
- Provide academic and personal support to residents.
- Promote social interaction, engagement, accountability and leadership within a setting that honors the diverse needs and backgrounds of the population.
Our Commitment to Respectful and Welcoming Communities
The College Houses are committed to uplifting individuals and communities and challenging one another to understand and value what both binds and distinguishes us. We believe that our residential communities thrive when we consider, acknowledge, and honor all residents. We ask that each community member (resident, staff, or visitor) commit to doing this through the following steps:
- Actively listen to experiences different from your own
- Seek educational opportunities about issues and current events while embracing all intellectual perspectives
- Speak up when you witness or hear something disrespectful even when it is not convenient
- Engage with your community through joining organizations, attending programs, and participating in service and/or advocacy
What Our Houses Offer
Here's all our Houses with a little information about each. Click on any of the arrows to take a deeper dive!
Our Team
The College Houses are each staffed by a hard-working team of professionals who care deeply about their community and how the CHAS mission can help Penn students thrive. They collaborate with the members of Penn's faculty who live alongside undergraduates in the College Houses to create communities that support residents throughout their University experience.
The History of CHAS
Penn has been fostering a vigorous on-campus community since it was first founded more than two centuries ago. In 1998, Penn decided to extend the successful faculty-in-residence model it had created at Van Pelt College House and Du Bois College House across all of its undergraduate residences. Today, with its newest College Houses less than a decade old, Penn's College House system is meeting the challenges of today with adaptable, dynamic communities that bring the University home to almost 6000 undergradutes every year.
Upcoming events in the College Houses
IKEA Shopping Trip with Gregory, Du Bois, & Stouffer College Houses
Need the perfect finishing touches for your room? Join residents from Gregory, Du Bois, and Stouffer College Houses for a fun and productive shopping trip to IKEA! Whether you’re hunting for stylish décor, cozy bedding, practical storage solutions, or everyday essentials, this trip is the perfect chance to get everything you need to make your space feel like home. Bring your shopping list, a few friends (or make some new ones along the way), and enjoy a day of furnishing, decorating, and bonding with your fellow College House residents. By the time we return, your room will be ready to welcome you for the semester ahead! Registration is Requested - Please connect with your College House to register for this program.
West Philly Walk
Take a walk with your fellow Rodinites through our lovely neighborhood and discover local vendors and hangout spots within walking distance from Rodin! Meet in the Lobby at 10am to begin our stroll.
KCECH Day
Crochet & Chat w/ RA Madsion
Join me for a cozy night of creativity and community! We’ll gather as a floor to learn the basics of crocheting together through making a small project, whether you’re a beginner or just curious to try something new. Yarn and hooks will be provided, and we’ll have cookies to enjoy while we chat, craft, and get to know one another.
News & Announcements
Stouffer Fellow named William T. Grant Scholar
Finding Common Ground in KCECH
Benjamin Franklin Scholars receives $8M endowment
