History of College Houses

The original College House was formed in 1964 as a student government project with help from a sustaining grant by the Hogg Foundation. The purpose was to create a housing facility for University students with many of the features of a residential college. College Houses was to have the convenience of a dormitory with a rich program of intellectual activities.

In many ways, the College House organization worked well for a number of years. College House was known as a place where discussions were held between students, faculty, and community people. We had a resident faculty professor and his family lived with us from the years 1964 to 1972. During the 60's, we had a very diverse community and it became known as a gathering place for radicals even though we had people on both sides of the radical/conservative fence.

Until 1969, we continued the original system of having an outside business provide the housing and food services. Costs for housing and food were climbing and we needed a cheaper alternative. As we gradually increased our own work load to run the house, the academic orientation lost some of its focus. In 1973, with a HUD loan, we purchased our first two buildings and built the 21st St. facility. In 1983 we added the last two.

Since 1964, College Houses membership has grown tremendously. What began as an experiment for a small number of student scholars to interact with faculty and staff has evolved into a housing cooperative that seeks to provide a unique living experience for its 400 plus members' at the most affordable price. We have survived the Austin real estate ups and downs and now have a strong cooperative community providing every necessity for the college student in an environment that the members control and enjoy.

As College Houses has expanded so has its commitment to the student coopreative movement. College Houses is a member of National American Students of Cooperation, NASCO for short. NASCO provides student co-ops throughout the U.S. and Canada with operational assistance, encouraging the development of new student cooperatives, and serving as an advocate for student cooperatives. Once a year College Houses contributes to member costs for attending NASCO Institute at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Institute conducts seminars on relevant co-op issues and is a forum for students from across the U.S. and Canada to meet. College Houses also provides a summer internship for students who are eager to learn how a student co-op is managed on a daily basis.

College Houses Board of Directors has also developed a visionary approach that seeks to provide leadership for today and beyond. This has become evident over the years with Board driven initiatives that has guided the transition from a part-time administrator and student staff to a stable professional full-time administrator and staff.

Most recently College Houses has acquired Halstead House which was formerly part of Student Heritage Houses. The acquisition has furthur demonstrated College Houses' commitment to the future of the co-op and the student members.

So, take the tour of our houses and pick the one for you. Each is different and has a personality of its own. Once you have checked them out, fill in our application and we will get you started towards living at College Houses Cooperatives.