Stouffer
College House comprises two buildings, Stouffer Hall and
Mayer Hall. Built adjacent to the
Quad in 1972, Stouffer Hall is named for Vernon J. Stouffer,
a 1923
graduate
of Wharton.
The building also includes many street-front stores of the
University City Community. Mayer Hall, located across the
street from Stouffer, was built in 1964. It is named for
Harold C. Mayer, a 1915 graduate of Wharton.
The architects of Stouffer were the
firm of Geddes, Brecher, Qualls, and Cunningham, who served
in Penn's architecture department and were part of the "Philadelphia
School." This group, which included Robert Venturi, Louis
I. Kahn, and other internationally known architects associated
with Penn, rejected the prevailing modernist style of building.
Stouffer's traditional forms and its mixture of brown brick
and tawny concrete echo the character of the adjacent Quad
with a respectfulness toward the older architecture.
Stouffer Hall is divided into six connected
sections of approximately 22 rooms each. Most rooms are singles,
and all are fully carpeted and seasonally air-conditioned.
The kitchenette and lounge in each section encourage informal
get-togethers. Stouffer has its own computer facility, study
rooms, piano, large-screen televisions with VCRs, a pool
table and a foosball table. All of these facilities offer
Stouffer residents the opportunity to work and relax close
to home.
Check out room dimensions and layouts
for Stouffer Hall and Mayer Hall.
Mayer
Hall has apartments on six of its seven stories. Most of
the apartments have one bedroom. There are 12 efficiencies
and 10 two bedroom apartments. Each apartment has a bathroom
and a kitchenette. There is a large playroom in the lobby
with a wide-screen TV and DVD. A study lounge, conference room, computer lab, as well as laundry facilities are located on the first floor.
Stouffer College House accommodates 350 undergraduates, 11
Graduate Associates, and its residential Faculty Master,
Faculty Fellow, Senior Fellow and a House Dean, along with
their families. Stouffer's staff members represent
a number of the University's graduate schools. Staff and residents together
form a close-knit community of friendly and energetic individuals
who welcome opportunities for educational and social interaction.
Residents eat dinner together in the lower floor of 1920 Commons, and throughout the year each section and floor will host a student-prepared
brunch on the weekends.
Stouffer residents organize many of
their own activities, including intramural athletics, concert
and theater subscriptions, museum trips, and House parties.
It is also a tradition for "Stoufferites" to share special
skills with other residents. In recent years, students have
turned to offering mini-courses including juggling, photography,
and drawing. In addition, faculty and graduate students host
events such as study breaks and seminar series. Each year
the House sponsors community outreach programs that have
included supporting a foster child, working in local soup
kitchens, and partaking in holiday caroling. Recently, the
residential faculty have hosted evening discussions addressing
a variety of issues. "Stouffer Outdoors" (an annual fall
camping trip) and other student gatherings provide a social
and fun-filled atmosphere.
Stouffer activities are directed by
student-run committees with the assistance of the residential
faculty and GAs. The House government, made up of at least
26 students, the Faculty Master, and the House Dean,
allocates funds for House programs and sets policy. A House
newsletter and webpage keep residents well informed about all that
is going on and provides forums for student opinion on House
matters.
Parts reprinted from
the 21st Century College Houses brochure (1999-2000)
