Students apply for Castle program

The Office of Academic Programs is now accepting applications for the Castle's community service living-learning program, which will begin next fall. Academic Programs Director Christopher Dennis said yesterday the program's advisory board will begin reviewing undergraduate and graduate applications for the 26 spots in the house next week. Applications, which can be picked up at the Office of Academic Programs in High Rise North, are due on April 3. Dennis, who heads the advisory board which is establishing guidelines for the living-learning program and which will select next year's residents, said approximately 100 students have picked up applications this week. He said the selection process will be similar to that of choosing resident advisors and graduate fellows. It will include applications, essays and an interview with the members of the advisory board. The house's new residents will be a part of the community service living-learning program which administrators decided to establish in the vacant Castle fraternity house, located at 36th Street and Locust Walk. The center-campus house has been vacant since the University's chapter of the Psi Upsilon fraternity was kicked off campus last May for the January kidnapping of a Delta Psi fraternity brother. Administrators said they hope to keep the program in the house until the fraternity petitions for re-recognition in three years. College sophomore Christopher Caruso, who plans to apply for the program, said last night he is most attracted by the "common ground" that the Castle will provide for community service groups on campus. He said the living-learning program will allow different organizations that are working towards the same end to come together in one unified group. "I think the reason it's such a good program is they're letting people in by what they do and not who they are," Caruso said. "But the biggest focus should still be diversity, both in background and in how [people] perceive community service." According to the program's application, prospective residents should show evidence of involvement in community service, a willingness to explore the significance of community service from an academic perspective and a commitment to a "cooperative and supportive house environment." Dennis said he does not think applicants need to have been very involved with community service programs in the past as long as they show a sincere interest in the Castle's living-learning program. He said committee members will have selected the program's participants by the end of April. Dennis said his committee is also reviewing the physical space of the Castle and trying to establish a program outline and an administrative system.

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