W.E.B. Du Bois College House: About the House


				About the W.E.B. Du Bois College House

	About the House House History Facilities Staff			W.E.B. Du Bois College House is named for the famous sociologist and civil rights pioneer whose research at Penn in 1896-97 resulted in the landmark sociological study, The Philadelphia Negro. Du Bois was designed by Mario Romanach, a Cuban-American professor of architecture at Penn. His innovative design turned its back on slick, high-tech modernism and instead used earth-toned, roughly-textured concrete and brick. It is one of the original low-rise dormitories built in 1969-72 when Penn banned automobiles between Walnut and Spruce and 38th and 40th Streets. This traffic-free zone is called Hamilton Village, recalling the leafy suburb that existed here in the mid-nineteenth century. W.E.B. Du Bois College House provides a vibrant, supportive living environment for the pursuit of African-American scholarship. Small and intimate, the House is often the center of activities sponsored by African-American faculty, staff, students, and the West Philadelphia community. One of the oldest College Houses on campus, Du Bois recently celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. It is also distinguished by being the first College House to offer its own endowed scholarship, made possible by the Black Alumni Society. Each year recipients are selected from an annual pool of nominees chosen by the Faculty Master, House Dean and staff. The depth and richness of the W.E.B. Du Bois College House experience generates loyalty among resident students and alumni, who maintain their involvement by supporting and sponsoring programs, attending events and by offering community service. Students are active participants in designing and implementing programs for the House. By way of their own initiatives and partnerships, the Du Bois House Council and Graduate Associates are able to offer debates, lectures, panels and workshops on pertinent issues related to current events, history, art, literature, music and politics while gaining access to research, service, business and social networks. Co-sponsorships with student groups and other organizations include the Center for Africana Studies, Black Student League, African American Resource Center, Greenfield Intercultural Center, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, and Makuu. The Faculty Master, House Dean, Faculty Fellow and Senior Fellow- all of whom act as intellectual and personal advisors, support these student initiatives and also provide In-House academic tutoring. Formal activities recently undertaken by W.E.B. Du Bois House include Village News, a quarterly newsletter and The Veil, a monthly series of student and historical art exhibitions in the Amistad Gallery. The Soul of Du Bois Honorary Dinner is an intellectually stimulating event that features lectures by internationally prominent scholars. The annual Thanksgiving Gala and Food Drive is also consistently popular. Community service and research opportunities are supported by the Paul Robeson Library and Research Center, which houses a combined collection of 1,800 books, periodicals and tapes. The Du Bois Fit Program offers workshops on health issues, as well as kickboxing, weight training and Pilates yoga classes. Du Bois is also in a prime location for the enjoyment of new developments in West Philadelphia, including the 24-hour Fresghrocer supermarket and The Bridge, a recently opened deluxe movie theatre, both at 40th and Walnut Streets. Politics and Cultural Pluralism One hundred years ago, W.E.B. Du Bois stated, "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line." As we enter the 21st century, the "color line" is still a problem. New issues have emerged with the increasing diversity of the American population. Members of this program will explore contemporary relations between Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans. Topics of interest include affirmative action, immigration policies, and racial profiling. A major focus of the program is an examination of the continuing struggle for racial equity in America. Residents will explore the links between experiences of injustice in this country and injustices experienced globally by people of color. Social Consciousness in Black Film Through monthly viewings and discussions, often led by noted directors or faculty, this program will provide an historical overview of social consciousness in Black film, while simultaneously addressing such questions as: "What makes a film Black? Is it the characters? The director? The subject? The audience?" Members will also embark upon an exploration of the depiction of Blacks in film and video. Selected films include: Bamboozled, Nothing But a Man, The Great White Hope, To Sleep with Anger, Glory, Beloved, and Amistad. Number of Residents 182 Number of GAs 7 Room Types - Singles; 2-bedroom doubles; 3-bedroom triples; 3 & 4-bedroom quads; suite style; carpeting; kitchenettes (in all but singles) House Amenities - 4 floors, library, seminar rooms, computer lab, 2 large, multipurpose rooms, piano, lounge with large screen TV, kitchen, convertible pool/ping pong table, cardiovascular exercise and weight training rooms. Dining Location - Class of 1920 Commons, View Room Copyright © 2008 W.E.B. Du Bois College House Any Problems? Email Michael Wangia at mwangia@seas.upenn.edu Last Updated: October 2008