The Monroe Neighborhood

The Monroe Neighborhood offers students a unique opportunity to live independently while staying connected to Lafayette’s learning community. Located in College-owned, substance-free houses just off campus, Monroe blends the freedom of off-campus living with the purpose and support of an academic experience. Living in Monroe is a privilege reserved for students who want to take ownership of their experience; shaping a shared theme, designing programs, and engaging both their housemates and the wider Lafayette community. Students choose Monroe because it allows them to explore ideas they care about, live with intention, and develop leadership, collaboration, and life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

House Details

What it is:

  • An off-campus living and learning community focused on student-designed educational themes.

  • Located in College-owned, substance-free houses on Monroe Street (near Kirby Sports Center).

  • Houses accommodate 3 students and include:

    • Full-size kitchen

    • Furnished living spaces for programs and gatherings

    • Backyard area for socializing

  • Monroe Neighborhood Houses are Room Rate 3 housing options.
  • Successful applicants to the Monroe Neighborhood will be assigned to a specific house by the Office of Residence Life (no lottery or house selection process)

House Theme Types:

Resident-Centered Houses

  • Theme created by the students living in the house.

  • Programs and activities are primarily for house residents.

  • Not connected to any larger organization.

Group-Centered Houses

  • Connected to a larger campus program, group, or organization.

  • Residents explore the theme and host activities for other students.

Requirements, Expectations, and Opportunities

Members of Living Learning Community Program of Monroe Neighborhood are students with a GPA of 2.5+ and want to take the initiative to create their own learning opportunities.

With the support of the faculty/staff sponsor and Residence Life staff, members plan and participate in various house events.

EXPECTATIONS

SPRING (prior to living in Monroe Neighborhood)

  • Meet with faculty advisor and other house members to discuss expectations & brainstorm list of possible house events
  • Submit house application on OurCampus
    • One member will submit an application for the group. Each member will review the application and approve its contents.
  • Review educational materials about off-campus living

FALL & SPRING (while living on Monroe)

  • With housemates, meet with the Residence Life staff member advising the community once a month.
  • With housemates, meet with the house advisor once a month.
  • With housemates, sponsor at least 2 house events per month.
  • Communicate regularly with faculty & Residence Life staff member.
  • Submit program documentation and other administrative paperwork by deadlines.
  • Participate in neighborhood activities to foster a sense of community.
  • Maintain a substance-free house
    • Regardless of the age of residents, no drugs, alcohol, or smoking is permitted in the house or in the neighborhood.
      • By Easton ordinance and college policy, open alcohol is also prohibited from the porches and grounds surrounding the houses.
    •  Prepare presentation summarizing house accomplishments and year-end reflections.  (spring semester)

Support and Resources

  • Each house has a faculty or staff advisor for guidance and support.

  • The Office of Residence Life provides:

    • Program budget

    • Help with planning, budgeting, and managing events.

  • Houses are approved yearly through an application process.

Faculty/Staff House Advisor

Each Monroe House is advised by at least one faculty member or administrator. This house advisor should:

  • Meet with all house members once a month
  • Offer guidance and advice in the development of house programming
  • Offer informal opportunities to learn about the house theme

Current Monroe Neighborhood Houses 2025 - 2026

Beads for Better
Cycling House
Dog House
Family Game Night
History House
Gingerbread House
Global Gastronomy
Koinonia
Molecular Gastronomy
Morgan’s Message
Museum House
Phi Multicultural Fraternity (PMF) House
Spirituality and Transformation House
Sustainability (The Tree House)

Past Monroe Neighborhood Houses 2012 - 2025

African House
American Chemical Society
American Film
American Music AMP House
Audio & Visual Arts
Aviation Research Committee (ARC)

Book Club
Botany
Breakthrough in Engineering & Society Today Brothers of Lafayette

Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Chinese
Civic Engagement
Classic Civilizations
Classical Music
Cooking and Baking
Creative Writing
Crossroads (Gender & Sexuality)

Dear Lafayette Coalition
Documentary

Economics & Society Engineering Finance

Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Film & Media Studies
Folk Music
French

Geode
Geological Society of Lafayette
German
Global Arts and Media Appreciation
Global Film and Identities
Global Foods
Globalization of Music
Green House

Healthy Living House
Health Professions
Hispanic Society of Lafayette
History
History of Global Cuisine
HOLA

Interfaith/Religious Studies
International Business/Conduct
International Film
International Politics

Java-Jam Coffee House

Kaleidoscope

La Casita
Literature Appreciation
L-RAJE

Mind and Body Health House
Monroe@

Natural Disaster Relief
NIA House

Outdoors House

Painting with a Purpose
Photography
Psychology

Queer Women in STEM

Refugee and Immigrant Studies

Scholar-Athlete House
Science Fiction
Social Justice House
Spanish Culture House
Stadium Design
Statistics

Tea House
Technology
The Tent (Christian Fellowship House)
Theater

U.S. Politics

Wall Street
Women in Medicine
Women+ in Physics
Women in Science & Engineering
Women in Sports
Women on Wall Street

The ZEN House