SuperBlocks
About the SuperBlocks
SuperBlocks were first offered during the 2008-2009 academic year. The first year three applications were received and two spaces awarded. Through the years interest has grown, the process has become more competitive, and for 2012-2013 there were fourteen applications and ten groups awarded spaces.
SuperBlocks are one year opportunities for groups of students with a common interest which would be supported through the use of a residential location to apply to live together. The residential spaces offered for SuperBlock purposes may vary from year to year. Spaces are awarded based on the strength of the applications balanced against the overall housing needs of the College.
The SuperBlock program is intended to empower groups of Junior and Senior students with a shared goal, pastime or interest (e.g. dance, theatre, outdoor activities, cooking), to live together, support each other's growth and skills in that area of interest, and in turn enrich and broaden the College community through programming.
SuperBlocks are required to submit budget requests to the Student Finance Committee for support of their programming proposals. Programs should be appropriate for the size of the awarded residential space and the budget. Groups which do not fulfill their programming obligations may be rehoused at the discretion of the Dean of Students office.
2012-13 SuperBlocks
| Group | Location | Commons Affiliation |
| Baking | Earhart | BRN |
| Creativity and Innovation | Palmer | BRN |
| Design House | Homestead | COK |
| Ethical Issues in Sports | Norgay | BRN |
| Intentional Living | Munford | COK |
| International Culture Through Cooking and Sports | Jewett | ATW |
| Local Living | Ride | BRN |
| Pick-Up Games | Peary | BRN |
| Spontaneous Productions | Meeker | COK |
| Succulent Cinema | Cousteau | BRN |
Presentation Guidelines
- Presentations should be no more than 20 minutes.
- Not all members of the block need to be present.
- Multimedia equipment will be available (Powerpoint, etc).
- Candidates should discuss the following topics:
- About their common interest
- Why a residential space would benefit that interest
- A detailed description of 3 programs your house would run (one for each term), including your audience
- Resources your house would need to be successful.
- A brief question and answer period will follow.
SuperBlock Regulations
SuperBlocks will be awarded before the on-line Room Draw processes in April through an application process. Interested groups are required to complete an application and submit a preliminary roster of residence in advance. Additionally, each group will need to make presentation to the selection committee, offering additional information and answering questions about their proposal. Submissions and presentations will be evaluated by a committee of staff and students.
Groups are awarded SuperBlock status for one academic year. The SuperBlock is expected to utilize the residential facilities to offer programming and social activities on a regular basis for the members of the block as well as the general student body. Each SuperBlock will receive a budget. SuperBlocks work closely with the CRAs and groups are expected to regularly update Residential Life about planned programs and events. A SuperBlock's programming should be within the scope of its residential capacity and approved budget.
SuperBlocks are expected to be positive additions to the Middlebury College community. Actions on the part of houses in terms of violations of policy, dorm damage, excessive messiness, or failing to complete the mission of the house may result in a loss of housing for the group.
All students who are awarded and accept a SuperBlock will be ineligible to participate in subsequent Fall Term housing processes. Please note that any students waiting for study abroad approval, Social House members or Residence Life candidates may only be listed on a roster as a back-up on your roster; the preliminary student listed on the roster has obligated themselves to fill the bed should the back-up not be available and can also not participate in any future Fall Term housing processes. Any student who chooses to withdraw from the block after an offer has been accepted will be housed by the Residential Systems Coordinator during the Summer Housing process and may be asked to work with the SuperBlock group to identify someone to fill their space in the block.
Members of the SuperBlock will be given the opportunity to fill any beds which open up during the academic year by students who leave the block. If the members are unable to do so the Residential Systems Coordinator will fill the space(s) or re-house the remaining residents. All beds must be filled for all terms: Fall, Winter and Spring.
2013-14 Application Information
APPLY HERE
For the 2013-2014 academic year the Super Block locations planned to be offered include the five “Mods” (Cousteau, Earhart, Norgay, Perry, Ride); each has 7 beds (5 singles, 1 double). All five “Mods” will be offered, creating a themed, social and educational neighborhood. Each "Mod" provides ample social space, full kitchens, and proximate parking. Applications will also be accepted for larger groups of students in spaces throughout the campus. Likely spaces include but are not limited to Palmer House (30 beds), Meeker House (18 beds), Munford House (31 beds) and Homestead House (15 beds). For larger houses multiple themes for a single property may be submitted. All submitted applications will be reviewed on the strength the program and the availability of appropriate housing locations. Please note that this is a competitive process and not all submissions will be awarded housing.
Small senior houses (eg 637 College Street, Turner House, Homer Harris House) are not available as SuperBlocks.
Application Information (2013-2014)
- February 19 – Applications and Preliminary Rosters due
- February 20 – March 1: 20 minute presentations
- March 5 – Offers extended
- March 7 – Response deadline and Final Rosters due
Rosters:
- Once your group submits an application, the group Representative must email a complete preliminary roster to Residential Systems Coordinator, Karin Hall-Kolts. This email must also be copied (cc) to all potential residents. Rosters must include:
- Names of all of the residents in your house (must be rising Junior and Seniors—rising Sophomores may not be included)
- Full legal names only—no nicknames please
- Class years for each resident
- Social House membership with house names (if applicable)
- Names of any J-Term/Spring Term replacements for residents
- SuperBlock offers will be extended following the deadline by which social houses must submit completed rosters. if a social house is unable to meet the deadline any SuperBlock roster which includes members of that Social House will immediately be withdrawn from the process.
