Unity House: exploring diverse genders and sexualities
The Unity House Theme Program is unique to Berkeley and is a pioneer in its focus on gender AND sexuality, support of mixed gender room assignments, and academic connections to the Gender and Women's Studies Department and LGBT studies minor. We have a live-in Theme Program Assistant who provides resources and support for residents in the community. Our academic seminar offers both a theoretical study of gender and sexuality and an outlet to share individual experiences. We participate in socials, community outreach and activities, event planning, and have meaningful interactions with faculty and staff. We grow as leaders, have fun, and make friendships that can last a lifetime.

Program requirements
Unity House residents are expected to spend 2-4 hours a week engaged in Theme Program activities including:

• Enrollment and active participation in the weekly academic seminar, Ethnic Studies 98/198: Unity House Theme Program
• Attendance at the Leadership Retreat
• Attendance at Unity House meetings
• Participation in events and community service learning projects

Seminar and events
The seminar is a 1-2-unit pass/no pass class that meets once a week in the evening. You can review a sample course syllabus to get an idea about the coursework and expectations. If you're admitted to Unity House, you will be given more information about how to enroll in the class.

The Living space
Even though we're called Unity House, we're really in a residence hall. We're located in Unit 3 Spens-Black Hall, which is situated a block from campus on the southside. It’s a 5-minute walk from the center of campus and is conveniently located near many restaurants and retail stores.

You can take a virtual tour of sample rooms at Spens-Black. Each room has in-room network connections and basic cable, laundry facilities, vending machines, and live-in staff. Unity House offers both standard double rooms and budget triple rooms. One of the special features of our program is the mixed gender roommate option. This means you can live with someone who has a different gender identity than you do (e.g., men and women can be roommates), if you request that option and there is space available. We eat our meals in both the Cafe 3 Dining Commons and Crossroads Dining Commons. Residents have access to a great Academic Services Center in Unit 3 which offers tutoring, peer advising, copy and fax services, and computers and printers.

How to apply
Students of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply, and the program will ensure confidentiality for those who need it. You must complete the UC Berkeley housing application by the deadline. On the online application Theme Program page, select Unity House from the drop-down menu; at a prompt, you'll also be asked to write a short essay. The housing contract you receive will indicate if you have been selected to the Theme Program.

If you have additional questions that are not answered here, you can call 510/642-3213.