Parish House, an imposing property built in 1912 by a Carleton graduate, Fred Burnett Hill, and his wife, is located two blocks from the main Carleton campus. Originally, it contained a gymnasium, library, pool hall, a huge kitchen complex, sunroom and nursery. Purchased by Carleton in 1965, it was first used as a student residence in 1986, and then in 1996, after extensive renovations, it became the language house.

Purpose

The purpose of the Language House is to promote international languages and cultures on campus. It affords an opportunity to practice language skills and learn more about other cultures.

Every year students who study languages taught at Carleton can choose to live together in Parish and share their selected language on a daily basis with individuals of different abilities and backgrounds, including the international Language Associates who live in the house, coordinate activities and act as a resource for language and culture. Students experience culture by having meals together, viewing and discussing films, creating radio shows, dancing, chatting, doing homework together, etc.

In addition to providing house residents with a setting that encourages language acquisition and cultural understanding, the house offers an opportunity for all students on campus to participate in cultural activities and practice language skills.

Housing Arrangements

Parish consists of doubles, triples and quads. Normally, French speakers are housed together, Russian speakers together, and so on. There are four different approaches to rooming with someone in Parish.

1. You can apply for a quad, triple or double with other students of the language you are studying. First priority for space in Parish will be given to these students.
2. You can apply for a quad, triple or double with students who have applied to Parish in another language.
3. You can apply without a designated roommate, in which case you can meet with the house adviser to discuss roommate selection.
4. You can apply for a double, triple or quad with students who are not advanced students in any language, but those roommates should also be committed to participating in house activities and interested in international cultures.

Every effort will be made to honor the roommate requests of those who apply together. Room draw numbers may be a factor in assigning rooms.

Application and Selection

Students interested in living in the language house must fill out the application form available outside of the language offices, LDC 230 or LDC 340. Completed applications are due back to Mary Tatge in LDC 340 or Jean Sherwin in LDC 230 by 4:30 pm Friday, April 5 2013. Interest and commitment to participate are the primary criterion for selection of house residents. The application process may include an interview with the house faculty adviser.

Responsibilities of residents

Residents of the house should be willing to participate and cooperate with a positive attitude. Residents should be willing to use the target language, to engage in the activities of the house and to keep the house presentable for guests. Residents are expected to participate in language-based activities throughout the term, and to help the Language Associate with big events once per term (salsa dancing, Chinese New Year, Cinco de mayo, etc.)

Each language will have a faculty adviser who participates in the selection process of occupants, assists with activities and serves as a mentor to students for any concerns or questions that may arise. A resident who is having difficulty participating in house activities is invited to consult a faculty adviser about the concern. When satisfactory resolutions cannot be achieved, the resident will be asked to withdraw from the house at the end of the term.