Penn State's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service encouraged students to engage in service projects on Monday. But some students take it a step further, volunteering their time all year long. Students in the Helping Across the Community house are "learning to serve, serving to learn," as the motto on the wall of the first floor of Beaver Hall says.

The HAC house is a special living option offered by the Office of Residence Life so students interested in volunteering can live in close contact.

"Most of the people are living on the floor for the same reason; they are civic-minded," said Molly Reardon (senior-meteorology), the floor's resident assistant.

Members of HAC participate in many service projects, including blood drives, recycling at Beaver Stadium, Special Olympics bowling and Coaches vs. Cancer.

Though Megan Canale (sophomore-biobehavioral health) was not accepted into the floor when she applied last year, she was a member of the club and said she was pleased to move in this year. "You get to know people on the floor better by doing service projects together," Canale said.

HAC members pay $10 in dues for the year, complete 10 hours of community service each semester and attend meetings. Canale said members document their service activities themselves and projects outside of the group count toward the 10-hour requirement. Active members can reapply to stay in HAC for the following year and may live on the floor for their entire college career.

Katie Doyle, residence life coordinator for Beaver Hall, said a student's chances for acceptance are better if they have participated in many service projects and already live on the floor, but everyone has the opportunity to be considered. Residence Life prefers first- or second-year students for HAC house, Doyle said, because younger students have more semesters ahead of them to remain involved.

HAC isn't the only unique floor in Beaver Hall — every floor in the hall is designated as a Special Living Option with a particular focus.

The International Languages house on the third floor is for students interested in foreign languages and cultures. The sixth floor contains the Martin Luther King Jr. House which "brings together students who espouse the values and beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi and Thoreau," according to the Residence Life Web site.

"[Residence Life] is constantly looking at ways to expand as we accommodate students' needs and desires," Doyle said.

Students who are interested in living on an SLO floor can still apply, if they are offered a housing contract. On the form, students can select a Special Living Option as their preference.