For many, applying to program houses is not just about seeking out a community of other students who share interests — program house leaders and applicants alike consider avoiding the housing lottery an added bonus. And with more students placed in temporary housing due to overcrowding, the promise of superior rooms in program houses can provide an enticing alternative to facing the housing.
French House saw a slight increase in the number of applicants this year and a slight decrease in the number of outgoing residents, said Carolyn Crisp '12, one of the house's co-presidents.
"I know there were some people who either thought about applying or did apply because they wanted to avoid the housing lottery," Crisp said, noting that it was likely one of many reasons. "They don't want to be stuck in a triple in Keeney or something."
As incoming Spanish House member Ana Colon '14 said, "The lottery is kind of a black day at Brown because nobody is happy and everyone is stressed out."
If students begin to live in the French and Spanish components of Machado House purely to avoid the lottery, "over time, we would lose the French and Spanish houses all together," Crisp said. Still, Crisp said she has "every confidence" that the new recruits are "all there for the right reason."
Molly Chambers '11.5, vice president of Buxton International House, said that while the house did not see a similar increase in interest this year, the recruitment committee "could recognize that a few people were there because the lottery was overwhelming." Chambers said the lottery was not a significant factor in her decision to join the house.
Buxton gets anywhere from 100 to 120 applicants each year, while only about 25 to 35 new spots open up. Luka Ursic '14, who was accepted for this fall, said the lottery definitely contributed to his decision to apply.
"I guess I am afraid that your group can get split up or you can get a bad number and get a really bad location," Ursic said. "I'm really happy that I don't have to go through the lottery," he said.
Technology House Manager Dana Mirsalis '11 said the house looks for people who will be involved in the community, but someone who was "only interested in the room" would not be welcomed. The house has only had to turn away two members in their history for this reason, she said.
King House, primarily occupied by the literary fraternity St. Anthony Hall, has also seen increased interest and currently has a waitlist for living in the house, according to Courtney Hall '11, the fraternity's president. The house "is a selling point, but I don't think it makes or breaks anyone's decision," Hall said. Like many of the other program house officials, Hall pointed to a sense of community provided by the organization as the primary motivation to join.
Nick Morley '13, a new member of St. Anthony Hall who will be living in King house next fall, described the advantage of avoiding the lottery as a "push factor," as opposed to the initial draw. Morley said this year's use of temporary housing increased his distrust of the lottery.
The thought of avoiding unfavorable housing conditions "definitely came into my head" when deciding to apply to King House, said William Barnet '12, who currently lives there.
