On behalf of all of us at International House, thank you for joining our community. I’m thrilled you’re here. Wherever you’ve arrived here from, I’m pleased to be able to welcome you to your new home.
Once you settle in, you’ll discover that you’ve chosen to live in an incredibly rewarding environment, full of culture and stories. We are selective about who gets to join our community because we want to ensure we have a truly dynamic and diverse group of people in the House. With residents from over 90 countries and territories, I-House is home to an assortment of people studying and working in a wide range of fields and disciplines. There are about 700 really interesting people living at I-House, and you are one.
When I speak with our alumni, many of them tell me that they came to I-House looking for place to stay but that they left here having found a community, lifelong friends, global connections, and one of the most useful skills you can ever hope to acquire: the ability to find common ground.
While you’re staying with us, you have an unparalleled opportunity to learn from other residents and to share your experiences and culture with others. Here are my three tips for a successful stay:
Show up.
As you may have already noticed; your room is small. That’s for a reason! We want you to get out and meet one another. Attend an event. Join a club. Go to the Game Room. Grab a drink at The Pub. Try ballroom dancing. Whatever you decide to do, make the most of your time here.
Keep an open mind.
Not everyone in this world shares your perspective. That’s a good thing. We are not always right. Growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zone, truly listen to other people, and learn to see things in a different way.
Never Eat Alone.
When you talk with someone new, whether it’s over a meal or mixing in the Hall of History after attending one of our programs, I urge you to see what you can learn from your fellow residents. Learning from one another is one of the hallmarks of living here.
You’ve arrived at I-House at a special moment in our history. This coming fall, on September 15, 2024, I-House will celebrate our centennial. In the coming year, you and your fellow residents will be a part of shaping our second century.
While you’re with us, be sure to make friends and learn as much as you can from one another. My door is always open, so please stop by my office and say hello. I look forward to meeting you!
Sebastian Fries, PhD President & CEO
1. WELCOME HOME
HISTORY
International House (I-House) was founded in 1924 with support from the Rockefeller and Dodge families to provide a venue for graduate students and young professionals from around the world to live and learn together. I-House was built on the simple yet radical notion that living in a diverse community instills a lifelong dedication to cultural understanding.
Since 1924, I-House has welcomed young people from all over the world to live, learn, and grow together. In addition to offering safe and comfortable housing within a New York City historic landmark, I-House hosts an array of programming and other opportunities designed to foster cross-cultural connection and to help residents form lifelong bonds.
From the outset, our mission has been simple and daring: to cultivate individuals who will help bridge the polarization, isolation, and division our world continues to face. Through an intentional admissions process, we curate an eclectic, interdisciplinary cohort of openminded individuals who come together at a key stage in life for a crash course in social and cultural intelligence. It is a life-changing experience our alumni carry into their communities, practices, and professions.
More information about I-House and our programs can be found at www.ihouse-nyc.org.
OUR MISSION
CULTIVATE THE INDIVIDUAL, CHANGE THE WORLD
I-HOUSE CREATES AN OPEN-MINDED AND INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING COMMUNITY WHERE OUR RESIDENTS EXPAND THEIR WORLDVIEW AND FORM LIFELONG BONDS.
OUR VISION
A WORLD THAT RESPECTS INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PURSUIT OF COMMON GROUND
AFTER LEAVING I-HOUSE, OUR ALUMNI JOIN A GLOBAL COHORT OF LEADERS SKILLED IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, TRANSFORMING THEIR COMMUNITIES, PRACTICES, AND PROFESSIONS.
OUR CORE VALUES
RESPECT: TREAT OTHERS WITH DIGNITY. EMPATHY: RELATE TO THE PERSPECTIVES OF OTHERS. MORAL COURAGE: STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, EVEN IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
CODE OF CONDUCT
POLICIES
To ensure the safety and security of all members of our community, and in following with our founding values and principles, all resident members must abide by the policies and procedures contained within the Resident Membership Agreement.
Please be sure to review these resources, and become familiar with important additional policies, links for which can be found below. Click here to view all of I-House’s policies.
1. All resident members must display their I-House membership card when entering the building.
2. Membership cards may not be shared or given to others for use in accessing I-House facilities, benefits or services under any circumstances.
3. Resident members must abide by all U.S. federal, state, and local laws.
4. Resident members must abide by our Sexual Misconduct Policy.
5. Noise that disturbs others is prohibited at all times. Quiet hours are observed on all residential floors from 11:00 pm to 9:00 am.
6. Your room may be used for residential purposes only. Because of I-House’s non-profit status, no commercial or business activities can take place at I-House.
7. Resident members are to comply with all health and safety related policies including no smoking policy (based on New York City and State Laws), fire safety requirements and alcohol and illegal drug policies (based on U.S. Federal Laws).
8. Resident members should not cause any condition that jeopardizes their safety or the safety of others, or participate in conduct or behavior that endangers themselves or the well-being of any community members.
9. Possession of weapons of any kind, including firearms, knives, explosives, fireworks, ammunition, or dangerous chemicals or any substance or item that any reasonable person would consider to have the possibility of doing bodily harm is prohibited on I-House property.
10. Destroying, defacing or damaging I-House property or the property of others is strictly prohibited.
11. Theft or improper use of any property or services owned by I-House or other individuals is prohibited.
12. All resident members are expected to respect and comply with or respond to directions given by staff acting in the performance of his or her duties.
13. Please review our Admissions Policy regarding important info on early departures, registering each semester, summer departures, room changes, etc
14. Resident members are to comply with the Guest Policy.
PURPOSE
Resident members of I-House are carefully selected by the Admissions Committee to create a diverse community that is committed to the ideals of cross-cultural exchange, friendship, tolerance, respect, empathy, and moral courage. As a resident member, you are required to maintain standards of conduct that are consistent with the educational and cultural objectives of International House. These standards involve, but are not limited to, the following:
• Respect for the rights of others, especially the right to peaceful study time and rest.
• Understanding that the use of physical force, sexual harassment and misconduct, stalking, and abusive or defamatory language to members of the community, including staff, is unacceptable.
Living in a diverse cultural community requires a level of personal leadership and responsibility that we believe each member of our resident community possesses.
Lack of compliance with any of these policies may result in immediate termination of your membership and housing privileges. By living within the I-House Code of Conduct, resident members demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the high standards set in I-House’s vision, mission and values.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in making I-House an exceptional place in which to live and learn.
NEW RESIDENT CHECKLIST
RETURN COMPLETED ROOM EVALUATION TO THE FACILITIES OFFICE.
SET UP WI-FI CONNECTION WITH YOUR PERSONAL LAPTOP AND PHONE (SEE PAGE 22).
TEST YOUR MAILBOX KEY (LOCATED ON THE B - FLOOR).
LEARN ABOUT THE LAUNDRY PROCESS AT I-HOUSE (SEE PAGE 22).
CHECK YOUR EMAIL ON MONDAYS FOR THE HAPPENINGS NEWSLETTER WITH EVENT LISTINGS AND IMPORTANT I-HOUSE UPDATES.
VISIT BURSAR’S DESK TO LEARN ABOUT THE RESIDENT KITCHEN AND TO SIGN THE FITNESS WAIVER FORM (OPTIONAL).
MEET THE RESIDENT FELLOW ASSIGNED TO YOUR FLOOR.
2. I - HOUSE STANDARDS
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
While you’re living at I-House, we want you to be comfortable. We also want your fellow residents to be comfortable, which means ensuring that everyone lives by the same standards in order to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
• We are an entirely smoke-free community. There should be no indoor smoking of any kind.
• No microwaves, hotpots, candles, or incense are permitted. South Floor lounges are equipped with a microwave for your convenience.
THIS IS YOUR HOUSE ...AND YOU SHARE IT
• Respect the furniture and public spaces—please, take naps in your room, not on public couches.
• Due to lack of storage space, you are not permitted to remove furnishings or other I-House property from your residential space.
• Kindly respect your guests and fellow scholars by wearing a robe or cover-up when walking to and from the showers and in other common areas.
• Please adhere to the quiet hours of your floor.
• You are responsible for the conduct of any guests you sign in. Do not sign in people you do not know or trust; do not let anyone use your I-House ID card for any reason.
• I-House is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any loss, theft or damage to any personal property. As explained in the Important Policies section under Resident Resources on our website, neither you nor your guests are covered by I-House for any losses relating to your or their personal property.
• Consult with the Resident Fellow for your floor with any questions or concerns you may have.
KEEP IT CLEAN
• Do not take plates or any silverware from the Dining Hall. If you choose to use a dining tray to carry your meal to your room, be sure to return the tray to the Dining Hall.
• All residents in both the North and South Buildings are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. For those living in the North Building, you and your suitemates are also responsible for keeping your kitchen, bathroom(s) and common spaces clean. Please report any issues to facilities using the Upkeep Request Form. Click here to view.
• When leaving the shower, please know that others will come behind you. Be courteous and clean out the space before you leave.
• For health and hygienic reasons, no second-hand furniture is allowed. Such furniture can carry unknown harmful infestations that we want to protect you and others against.
THE GOLDEN RULE:
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.
I-HOUSE IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.
IF YOU SEE, EXPERIENCE, HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF, CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO THE THINGS LISTED ABOVE, PLEASE SUBMIT AN I-HOUSE REPORTING FORM ( CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT ) , CONTACT PUBLIC SAFETY AT 212-316-8448, OR CONTACT KARLYSSA DE JESUS, MANAGER OF RESIDENT LIFE, AT RESIDENTLIFE@IHOUSE-NYC.ORG.
3. SERVICES & STAFF
DEPARTMENTS
WE ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL AID YOU DURING YOUR TIME HERE AT I-HOUSE. BELOW, YOU’LL FIND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH CONTACT INFORMATION.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
presidentsoffice@ihouse-nyc.org
The President’s Office, led by Sebastian Fries, works closely with the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization.
ADMISSIONS
admissions@ihouse-nyc.org
The Admissions Office recruits and selects the best and the brightest young professionals from across the world to build an engaged and diverse community of residents. The Admissions team processes and reviews all applications for admission and financial aid and ensures all residents continue to meet all eligibility criteria throughout the year. Residents can visit the Admissions Office for assistance with registration , extensions and renewals , readmission , or room change requests (beginning September 1). Financial aid is also provided by the Admissions Office. Please pay close attention to all emails from the Admissions Office for important notices and announcements regarding your stay.
I-House is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations support financial aid, fellowships, programs and events like Sunday Suppers and Ice Cream Socials, and the maintenance of our historic building. In addition to fundraising, the Development, Alumni Relations, and Communications team also maintains lifelong connections with our global community of alumni, manages I-House’s social media and website, and oversees the I-House Archives.
PROGRAMS AND RESIDENT LIFE
The Programs and Resident Life (PRL) Department is central to residential engagement at I-House. Often considered the heartbeat of I-House, PRL is committed to offering programs and other resources designed to enhance the I-House experience for our resident members. The office focuses on three major areas: Programs, Resident Life , and Global Health and Wellness . Each division strives to support the well-being of our residents during their stay at I-House.
PROGRAMS
programs@ihouse-nyc.org
Programs develops events and programs designed to bring residents together to learn from one another. Residents celebrate the diversity of cultures during traditional legacy events like Night of Nations and Fall Fiesta; engage in meaningful discussions at Fireside Chats and Resident Roundtables, and meet global leaders through our Distinguished Speaker Series and Page Turner book talks.
RESIDENT LIFE
residentlife@ihouse-nyc.org
Resident Life is central to I-House’s mission. The goal of this dynamic community is to assist residents with personal growth, understanding diversity, cultures, lifestyles and behaviors, and help them form long-lasting friendships. Resident Life enables community-building at the House by supporting resident-led initiatives, and also assists residents with resolving interpersonal disputes. This area is also responsible for providing guidance and management of conduct violations. For more information on the I-House Code of Conduct, click here.
GLOBAL HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES
Lorriane Pirro ipirro@ihouse-nyc.org or by phone at (914)-673-9010
Global Health and Wellness Services at I-House offers routine and crisis psychological services, 24x7 crisis intervention and counseling. We offer individual, family and couples counseling, online and in-person. Our team of five peer counselors are all studying for advanced degrees in mental health. They receive case consultation and supervision from the Director of Global Health and Wellness Services, Lorraine Pirro, a licensed clinician with in-depth experience in global communities. We provide treatment and referrals.
FACILITIES AND SITE OPERATIONS
The Facilities and Site Operations Department is responsible for Facilities, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Public Safety, Mail and Package, Dining Hall, and Laundry Operations. Our primary goals is always to provide and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for our Residents, Guests and Staff. The best way to request Facilities Services is to complete a work order by using this link: Submit A Work Order. For more information on our services and to find important building policies for the House, please visit https://www.ihouse-nyc.org/residents/important-policies/.
F ACILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING OPERATIONS
The safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction with the I-House facilities and grounds is the priority for the Facilities and Housekeeping staff. Our teams are available to assist with building issues or concerns, so please feel free to contact us. For building-related issues, contact Irfan Toskic at itoskic@ihouse-nyc.org and for housekeeping-related issues, contact Juan Luis Rojas at jrojas@ihouse-nyc.org.
The I-House Resident and Guest Services team works with Public Safety and is available to resident members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Resident and Guest Services is located on the A-level of the South Building on the Claremont side and assists with resident lockouts, overnight guest passes, equipment rentals, and other needs.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Gabriel Elie-Pierre, Director of Public Safety and Guest Services geliepierre@ihouse-nyc.org
The I-House Public Safety team is available to assist with any safety concerns you may contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our office is located in the Claremont Lobby and you can reach a member of our team by calling our team from the public safety phones located on the resident lounges.
BURSAR’S OFFICE
frontdesk@ihouse-nyc.org / 212-316-8441
Visit the Bursar’s Office to pay semester fees, get a replacement ID card or mailbox key, get access to the fitness center, get access and pay the membership fee for the music practice rooms and the resident kitchen. You must go to the Bursar’s Office to have an air conditioner unit installed or removed; or fill out the Security Deposit Refund Form upon departure from the I-House.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
res-it@ihouse-nyc.org
I-House offers secure high-speed internet access. The IT team is happy to offer assistance with questions and problems that may arise from the use of the Wi-Fi or Computer Lab services. Please note that they are not able to provide repair work on personal computers or devices.
4. RESIDENT LEADERSHIP
A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE
THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES I-HOUSE TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER, TO SHARE, AND TO SUPPORT OTHERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
RESIDENT COUNCIL
As an advisory committee of elected residents, the Resident Council meets monthly to assist with event planning and resident outreach. The Council’s main function is to act as the collective voice that advocates on behalf of residents’ needs to the Admissions, Programs & Resident Life, and the President’s Office. Resident Council elections are held every September.
RESIDENT FELLOWS
The Resident Fellows assist in creating a safe, fun, and welcoming community for the residents by encouraging residents to mediate interpersonal conflicts, helping develop natural support networks within I-House, and motivating residents to make new friends!
PEER COUNSELORS
Resident scholars who are concerned about a resident life issues have access the Resident Fellow on their floor and may also request to speak with one of the four Peer Counselors for short-term counseling. The Resident Fellows and Peer Counselors can assist residents in identifying resources for longer-term consultation tailored to their individual needs.
PROGRAM FELLOWS
Program Fellows plan, develop, and implement diverse areas of programming for the I-House community. They also work together as a team throughout the year to plan the monthly calendar of events to create interaction among resident members, and thereby carry out the mission of I-House.
5. EVENTS AT I - HOUSE
LEGACY EVENTS
OUR LEGACY EVENTS HAVE BEEN CELEBRATED BY GENERATIONS OF I-HOUSE RESIDENTS DATING BACK TO OUR BEGINNINGS IN THE EARLY 1920S. PARTICIPATING IN THESE EVENTS WILL ENRICH YOUR TIME HERE AND HELP YOU DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION FOR CULTURE, FRIENDSHIP, AND THE SPIRIT OF I-HOUSE.
FALL FIESTA
A chance to shine! Fall Fiesta is a collection of performances by residents ranging from choreographed dance to spoken word.
NIGHT OF NATIONS
One of our most popular events, Night of Nations is a multi-faceted and dynamic opportunity to experience all the cultures living in the House. The evening includes cultural booths organized by the residents, art showcases, food tastings, and other cultural customs and performances and a dance party.
SUNDAY SUPPER
Sunday Supper is one of the oldest traditions of I-House. Each fall and spring, residents, staff, and invited guests gather to share a meal, hear remarks from distinguished guest speakers, and enjoy performances.
DINNER WITH FRIENDS
These are regular gatherings in the Dining Hall to celebrate one particular culture or country, led by residents of that culture, to enlighten the community about its traditions, arts, and food.
SALON NIGHT
Residents perform together and showcase their extraordinary talents in an intimate setting.
6. RESOURCES
LAUNDRY
Open 24 Hours, daily 2 Locations:
B-Floor I-House South (near the Mail Room)
B-Floor I-House North (near the Fitness Center)
At either location, be sure to purchase a Smart Card or use the app to use the machines.
PUBLIC SAFETY
To reach us from any I-House phone, dial x8487. For Claremont Reception, dial x8448. For emergencies, concerning both safety and health, dial 911.
MEDICAL CARE
Urgent care:
CityMD, 356 West 125th Street 646-647-1267
Monday to Friday 8 am-8 pm Saturday to Sunday 9 am-6 pm
Nearest Hospital:
Mount Sinai Morningside 443 West 113th Street 212-523-4000
Open 24 Hours
Students may wish to contact their college or university for additional assistance with health-related matters.
WI-FI
To connect to Wi-Fi: Select IHOUSE-WIFI from the list of networks on your device, and enter the passkey that you received in an email from Extreme Networks no-reply@extremecloudiq.com.
Please Note: The first time you sign in with your credentials, it may take 2-3 minutes to connect your devices to the Wi-Fi network.
SUBWAY
#1 Train at 125th St. (Located at 125th St. and Broadway) #1 Train at 116th St. (Located at 116th St. and Broadway) A,B,C,D Train at 125th St. (located at 125th St. and St. Nicholas)
BURSAR’S OFFICE
Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm Closed on weekends and holidays.
LOCK-OUT
There is a fee of $7 for each time a resident is locked out of their room. The fee is waived for the first occurrence.
GUESTS
All guests must leave a Photo ID that can be retrieved when departing. (Passports are not permitted). If a guest stays past 3 am, they will be considered as an overnight guest. Each resident is allowed 10 free overnight guest per month. If a guest exceeds 10 nights within the month, they will be charged $30 a night. No guest may stay longer than 10 consecutive nights.
BUILDING ENTRY
Claremont Desk: Open 24 hours
Riverside Desk: Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
