Treehouse living

Gonzaga's Treehouse is not built in the top branches of a Walnut tree, it's actually a house nestled next to Marian Hall. This themed residence houses five senior girls committed to living "green" and determined to raise community awareness about environmental friendly lifestyles. "Living at the Tree House has been a learning process for all the girls involved," resident Katie Mulcaire-Jones said. "Our goal was to play an active role in environmental leadership by participating in activities held by Marian Hall and setting an example by living an eco-friendly lifestyle in which we buy green cleaning supplies and eat organic food." The Tree House, on Boone Avenue, started when resident assistants in Marian Hall announced the housing department was interested in starting a house in connection with the outdoor theme of the dorm. According to Mulcaire-Jones, she and her friends immediately got together and began writing a mission statement focused on their passion for the environment and their desire to teach other students environmentally friendly habits. "The housing department was really supportive of our ideas. They gave us free rein to create our own specific theme and name and provided the necessary resources and funds to shape the house into what it is today," Mulcaire-Jones said. Aside from living eco-friendly every day, Tree House residents also hosted a campout for Marian Hall students to discuss the importance of buying locally grown, organic food last school year, taught a one-time "Composting 101" workshop for all who were interested, and put on a small concert in their front yard earlier this fall, to meet new Marian Hall residents, Mulcaire-Jones said. "Although living a green lifestyle can be pretty expensive, we try and find ways around it," she said. The Tree House started its own compost pile last year and built two raised garden beds for fruits and vegetables last summer. According to Mulcaire-Jones, the Tree House residents do not know what the future holds for their house after graduation, but are certain a group of students interested in continuing their mission will move in. The Crew House and the R.O.C.K house join the Tree House as the three themed off-campus residences owned and maintained by Gonzaga, said Nicole Sakraida, residence director of off-campus properties and public relations. Gonzaga recently purchased at least seven houses in the Logan neighborhood that are available for themed housing starting fall 2009. "Themed housing started a long time ago but declined due to the lack of houses owned by the university," Sakraida said. "The housing office is happy to report that we have a number of new possible themed houses for next year and we are excited to review the potential applications." The housing department is looking for groups of five or six people who share a similar belief or enjoyment to apply for themed housing. According to Sakraida, applicants must present their projected theme in a clear and concise manor, providing a written mission statement. "It doesn't really matter to me what themes students suggest. They can be anything from a group that likes to watch at least one chick flick a week to an organized club on campus looking to start their own house," Sakraida said. Students can pick up an application from the housing office or from their resident assistant, said senior Amanda Oeser. The applications are due Tuesday, Nov. 11, by 4:30 p.m. to the housing department. According to Oeser, the application process will be complete before signups for regular Gonzaga housing begins, giving students who do not receive a themed house opportunity to apply for other housing. "We are looking for students bound by similar beliefs or likes that will stay true to their mission, be respectful of the property and represent Gonzaga well out in the neighborhood," Sakraida said.

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