Committee on Residential Learning (CoRL)

Over the years, house themes have ranged from fairly informal events and activities to specific emphases in programming. We have redeveloped this crucial part of residential life to better align with the neighborhood and campus-wide sense of community.

Purpose

Established in 2017, CoRL serves to ensure the highest standards of liberal education in the undergraduate residential experience, as defined by ResX and mandated by Stanford’s Faculty Senate (established by Senate order, SenD#7232). CoRL is a large and diverse committee, providing broad support for residence-based programs that serve undergraduates. It does this by clearly defining University Theme Houses-Academic and University Theme Houses-Special Interest; creating robust processes for the application, development and review of these houses; and encouraging intellectual vitality and institutional accountability in themed living programs. CoRL develops, promotes and oversees consistent standards for these houses across residential neighborhoods, and makes recommendations about the most compelling themes to the Undergraduate Residence Governance Council. It also contributes to the ResX goal of increasing faculty engagement and investment in Stanford’s undergraduate residential experience, which enhances students’ learning experiences and builds bridges between residential life and academic life.

We want to make sure students have choice, a key feature of Theme Houses. Students have varied interests in common with academic areas of campus life, and University Theme Houses offer the opportunity for students to live in residences with others who share their interests.