Stanford
Residential Education

Ethnic Theme Houses

Our ethnic theme communities have a rich and long history of engaging students at the highest levels of intellectual discovery and contributing to students' sense of belonging at Stanford through engaging students in a range of formal and informal settings. They are both “a beacon and a haven” for undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni, providing a unique experience for students and the community, distinct from traditional, non-theme dorms, as well as from the other theme programs. Our ethnic theme programs both encourage their students to critically explore their identities and responsibilities to the community, and engage in broader outreach programs, advocacy and ongoing education.

Decorative accent featuring eight dots representing the eight Neighborhood colors.

 

Here are some features of these houses:

  • Open to all students from every neighborhood. 
  • All are four-class houses.
  • If you live in this type of house your first year, the neighborhood the house is in will become your neighborhood home. You are still eligible to live in a different university theme house in your upperclass years.
  • While open to students in all neighborhoods, the house will be part of one neighborhood, will participate on that neighborhood’s community council, and will have access to and share resources with the neighborhood.

Ethnic Theme Houses

  • Casa Zapata (Theme)

     Casa Zapata is a four-class house focusing on the Latine experience through educational and cultural programs. Casa Zapata’s theme creates a common bond for all residents—Latine and non-Latine alike—that fosters cross-cultural understanding.

  • Muwekma-Tah-Ruk Theme

     Muwekma-Tah-Ruk, established in 1988, celebrates the diversity of indigenous peoples throughout the Americas and Pacific Islands.

  • Okada (Theme)

     Okada House explores and celebrates the diversity of Asian American peoples, cultures, and languages in both historical and contemporary contexts.

  • Ujamaa (Theme)

     Ujamaa focuses on the histories, issues, and cultures of the Black Diaspora. The name comes from the Swahili word for “extended family.”