Students interested in the environment, science and engineering, and volunteer work have a new offer coming their way in the Fall Semester as the University expands its interest-house program.

Currently there are 13 special living options offered to students, but another three are scheduled to open -- the Sustainable Living, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the Service Learning interest houses.

Students living off campus, or even in the dorms, may be unaware that the University is home to one of the biggest interest-house programs in the nation, said Dane Foust, acting associate director of residence life.

Interest houses are designed to provide a supportive living environment for students with similar interests. The hope is that the residents will "feed off of one another in a network situation," Foust said.

Sustainable Living will replace the Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Sciences Interest House. Sustainable living is a concept involving conservation and renewal of the Earth's resources.

"There wasn't enough interest, plus they didn't have a faculty associate, so they lost some direction," Foust said. Faculty associates work with members to plan activities, as well as to try to expand student involvement in the interest house, he said.

The WISE interest house hopes to recruit members from the Freshmen in Science and Engineering interest house (FISE), a coed arrangement that occupies four floors of Pennypacker Hall.

"It's fun because everyone is in some sort of science major. You get to talk to people who share your same interests," said Tanya Hofler (freshman-biology). Hofler said she also benefits from the free tutoring and study groups she has access to through FISE.

The Service Learning House is geared toward students with interests in volunteering and will occupy the first floor of Beaver Hall.

Regarding student response to the new living options, "the doors have not been beaten down, but we are anticipating at least 20 students" in each new house, Foust said.

Interest houses can also provide social benefits to members, including planned activities such as movie nights.

"If you just want to play a game of hoops or go downtown for a bite to eat, people are there," said Jeff Warner, president of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Interest House.

Sometimes independents are assigned to live on interest floors to fill vacant rooms.

"I don't really participate in floor activities because I really don't know anybody or have much in common with them," said Gretchen Ruemeli (junior-nursing), who lives on an engineering interest floor in Beaver Hall.

But students living on campus who are not involved in interest houses say that dorm life has its advantages as well.

"West is the best because they've got good heating and the dorms are really nice," said Rani Huber (junior-international politics).