"BE...a volunteer. BE...a leader. BE...the change."
~Inspired by Gandhi, Derived by BE House
BE House Program Coordinator Application
What does it mean to be in BE House?
Being part of the BE House community means that you are dedicated to and interested in learning more about the three pillars of BE House: Service, Leadership, and Social Justice.
Members have opportunities to become a positive and contributing member of the Penn State community through participation in regular community service work; Expand knowledge of human diversity and social inequity; Develop a range of leadership skills and abilities such as effectively leading change, resolving conflict, and motivating others
Residency in the BE House is available to first-year students living in East Halls, specifically the first two floors of Tener Hall at Penn State University Park.
Becoming a part of the BE House SLO is a way to gain knowledge, skills, relationships, and experiences to set you ahead and apart at Penn State! Members are connected with resources and opportunities at Penn State, as well as provided with many opportunities exclusive to BE House members! As a member you could also partake in exciting and valuable events, programs, speakers, and retreats at no cost to SLO members, many times with food, t-shirts, and transportation included!
Participants will also receive preferred housing in other SLOs (e.g. Helping Across the Community) for your second year at Penn State, which will help you continue your dedication to service and community.
As a member of the BE House SLO, each semester we expect you to...
- Attend and engage in bi-weekly meetings as a community
- Attend a fall and spring semester retreat
- Complete fall and spring service projects
- Attend leadership and social justice activities on campus
How do previous students feel they benefited from the SLO?
- "I met many diverse students. Also, I really felt a feeling of satisfaction getting to personally make an elderly woman's day at the nursing home."
- "Made friends, created connections - networking, learning about lots of service opportunities in Centre County, opened my eyes to life outside of State College."
- "By meeting people who enjoy giving back to their community like I do."
- "Through the SLO I found out about MLK, LET, SES, Fresh Start, THON applications etc., etc., etc... It was the gateway for me to get involved in anything and everything on campus. It introduced me to a lot of people (through the extra activities/groups that were presented to me) and I loved them all!!!! I never would have been this involved without the SLO!"
BE House events include:
- Volunteering at animal shelters, Food Bank, Penn State Arboretum
- Creating Jared Boxes (http://www.thejaredbox.com/) for chronically ill children
- Documentaries and current events discussions
- Scavenger hunts
- Off-campus fall and spring retreat
- Touring resource centers on campus
- Attending speakers and special events on campus