Different ideologies and values are put aside in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Interest House, where students actively pursue enlightenment about King and the advancement of his dream.

Unlike other interest houses based on common majors, this house -- located on sixth floor Beaver -- centers around developing awareness of cultural issues affecting society, Philip Shuman (senior-agricultural engineering) said.

Interest house members "educate themselves on Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophies, other leaders, and on other issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and ageism," said Judi Oleski, assistant to the director of Residence Hall Programs.

In February 1985, a group of students interested in perpetuating King's dreams came to Residence Hall Programs asking that an interest house be formed centering on King's goals and achievements, Oleski said, adding that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Interest House was established in Atherton Hall in fall 1986. The interest house moved to Beaver Hall the next fall, however, because the University wanted to concentrate its interest houses in one area, she said.

Students belong to the house "because of their belief in Martin Luther King Jr. and what he did for the American people," Oleski explained.

"(The house) builds communication through learning different philosophies," said Richard Lewis, president of the University's Interest House Council.

Group members maintain an environment where "you can be yourself," Shuman said, adding that "people are closer . . . they deal with things head on."

"It is a way of making friends," said Andrianna Todd (sophomore-business).

"The basic thing is to have a mix of different perspectives," she said, adding that anyone interested in increasing his or her cross-cultural awareness is welcome.

Multicultural understanding can be learned more effectively through living and constant exposure than in a classroom setting, Shuman said.

The increased understanding enables the group to discuss issues that may cause offense in a different setting --one that does not promote awareness, he said. The small percentage of minorities at the University decreases the exposure to many ideas, Shuman added.

Twenty members of the house actually live on the floor in Beaver Hall, but about seven associate members live elsewhere and are affiliated with the house.

The house offers more programs and group activities than the average dorm floor, Todd said. Last semester house members attended the 25th annual March on Washington and participated in a weekend retreat to Stone Valley.

While the majority of the house's residents are black, the house is based on King's ideologies which stress equal rights for all, Shuman said.

The students "are not blind" but do accept each other for what they are, he said.

Interest house members share the floor with other residents.

Sixth floor Beaver Hall resident assistant, Elizabeth Mayer, said the sensitivity training she received as an RA has made her more aware of how to work with differences and handle delicate issues.