Independent Living (The Row)

The Row is a group of 35 University owned residences that house some 1600 undergrads, and are served by student staffs of 5-10. These residences vary in architecture, size, history, character.

The cultural, educational, intellectual, and social lives of each house is largely determined by the students, in concert with the house's student staff. The Row is unique when viewed alongside Stanford's traditional dorms, in that there are no Resident Fellows (RFs) or live-in professionals on the Row (except Muwekma-Tah-Ruk, which has two RFs).

Together, Row students have an opportunity build communities that honor the diverse make-up of each house, via shared house responsibilities, planning house activities, and managing various components of house operations. Each Row house staff is comprised of 5-10 students, who work together to see that the house runs smoothly, that problems get solved, and that house activities reflect the social and educational interests and needs of the community. However, unlike in larger residences, the educational and social program entails enabling students to manage community affairs with a high degree of autonomy and peer-to-peer accountability.

The Row Houses are divided into three categories: Self-Operated Houses, Cooperative Houses, and Fraternity and Sorority Life Houses.

Self-Operated Houses ("Self-Ops"): Self-Op residents and staff are responsible for certain aspects of the operation of the house, such as food procurement, menu development, and budgeting, but also receive operational support in the form of university custodial services and a professional chef. Residents of the Self-Ops must purchase the house’s board plan. Sub-categories of Self-Ops include academic, ethnic, and language and culture themed houses.

Cooperative Houses (Coops) are student managed, as well, but incorporate additional levels of autonomy and responsibility. Students in Coops work together to facilitate the house's operational needs, including daily cooking and cleaning. Coop staffs, plan the purchasing of food and supplies, budgeting of finances, and coordination of house jobs. Most students living in a coop will spend 2 - 6 hours per week doing house jobs, including cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning bathrooms and other common areas. Through sharing in house activities and common philosophies, students in coops often feel a connection to their communities that is difficult to rival.

The Fraternity and Sorority houses are all Self-Ops, and consist of seven fraternities and three sororities. Residents in Fraternity and Sorority houses are chosen through the annual rush process and do not participate in the House Draw process.

Find a Co-Op or Self-Op