Theme Houses
APU’s Theme House communities provide connection around topics and activities you care about. Each house combines living and learning as students connect to each other, learn and serve together, and grow in their relationship with God. In a Theme House, students might have a discussion with a campus pastor over dinner, help plant a community garden, or host a question-and-answer session with a professor about media or art. General plans and rhythms exist for each house, but each year the houses will look different based on the passions and ideas the students bring to the community. Follow along with the Theme Houses experience by visiting our Facebook page.
The 2012–13 Theme Houses:
- Outdoor Adventure House
- Discipleship House
- Global Village
- Greenprints
- Media House
- Music and Arts House
Outdoor Adventure House
Outdoor Adventure House offers a place for people who love the outdoors and want to get off campus throughout the semester to hike, camp, climb, and participate in other outdoor activities with their neighbors. From backpacking in Yosemite to beach clean-ups, and outdoor skill workshops to group discussions, you’ll have the chance to live, play, and serve alongside others.
- Time Commitment: 3-4 hours per week, plus weekend trip and day/evening outing opportunities
- Weekly community meetings/dinners: Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
- Various weekend trip and day or evening outing opportunities
- Access to camping and backpacking equipment
- Opportunities to serve in the Azusa/Greater Los Angeles area during the semester
- Discounts to area gear shops
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application).
Discipleship House
Living in the Discipleship House provides an opportunity to deepen your commitment to Christ by learning about and practicing spiritual disciplines within the context of a community. This community focuses on spiritual disciplines embraced by Christians across denominational and generational lines. Through participation in discussions, prayer, shared meals, and regular interactions with members of the Campus Pastors, you can explore your faith and find support in your desire to be more spiritually connected on campus in meaningful ways.
- Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week
- Weekly community meetings/Dinners: Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
- Attend chapel as a community on Wednesday mornings (reserved seats for community members)
- Group dinner with the Office of the Campus Pastors once a semester
- Monthly attendance by a member of the Campus Pastors
- Participate in Spiritual Formation Week (fall)
- Attend a spiritual formation retreat once a semester
- Opportunities to serve in the Azusa/Greater Los Angeles Area once a semester
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application)
Global Village
Global Village is a group of students passionate about the world, its cultures, and the stories of people from diverse backgrounds. This community focuses on cross-cultural issues, global perspectives, cultural traditions and worldviews. Through service, cultural activities, and community meals, you will have the opportunity share your culture and learn about the people living around you in Global Village.
- Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week.
- Weekly community meetings/dinners: Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
- Attend International Chapel, Fridays in UTCC
- Participate in Global Vision Week (fall) and an International Center Event (spring)
- Opportunities to serve in the greater Los Angeles area once a semester
- Attend a Saturday Global Village Retreat (fall and spring)
- Plan a semester living-area event (fall and spring)
- Option to live with an American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) student
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application).
Greenprints
Join fellow students passionate about the environment to experience the art of growing your own food, composting, and living a healthy life style. You’ll have the chance to grow produce on your porch, learn to make simple yet delicious meals and homemade bread, and visit local homesteads where residents grow their own food and more. Throughout the year, you will learn about the concepts behind sustainability and environmental stewardship.
- Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week.
- Weekly community meetings/dinners: Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
- Grow your own plants in a provided earth box
- Cook meals for Green Prints using local produce
- Participate in making APU more sustainable
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application).
Media House
Media House is a place for students interested in creative media and living together as a community. Students may have interests in visual, print, broadcast, or digital media and have the opportunity to network with peers, faculty, and alumni with similar interests. Actively explore emerging topics in media and the role it plays in our daily lives.
- Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week.
- Weekly community meetings/dinners: Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
- Collaborate on personal media projects
- Discussions with special guests
- Movie nights and other media-related excursions
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application).
Music and Arts House
Help create a community of students with a common passion for the arts. Students will have the opportunity to plan and participate in music and art shows for the artistic community of APU.
- Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week.
- Weekly community meetings/meals
- Plan and participate in art and music shows
- Create a place where APU artists can network and create
- Commit to and sign the Theme House Pledge (see application).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become part of a house?
To apply, you must submit the online application by March 16, 2012. (We recommend submitting it earlier if possible.) You may be contacted for a follow up interview. Students accepted to the Theme Houses will be notified on March 23, 2012.
Who can be a part of the theme houses?
Theme Houses are reserved for juniors, seniors, and a limited number of sophomores.
Where are the houses located?
The Theme House community is located in Alosta Place, with each individual house grouped together.
Do theme houses cost extra?
No, the cost of living in a Theme House is the same as living in any upperclassmen housing.
Can I live with people who aren’t a part of the house?
At least 50 percent of each apartment must be a part of the theme house.
This means that in a two-bedroom apartment with four residents, at least two residents must be part of the Theme House. In a one-bedroom, two of the three residents must be part of the Theme House. The remaining residents are free to participate and must sign a roommate agreement, but they are not required to participate in house activities.
Preference goes to individuals or groups who sign up to be a part of the theme house community. But if you have someone you want to live with who, for whatever reason, does not want to be a part of the house, you can list them on the application as an additional roommate. Or, if a group of four friends want to live together, but only two want to be a part of the house activities, you’re still free to sign up and be a part of the community.
