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Introduction

During our 25 years of existence at Duke University, the living group Epworth SHARE has challenged the standards of residential life, attempting to describe, implement, and ensure he best possible college living experience: an experience based on freedom of expression, diversity of character, and mutual respect.

Student Housing for Academic and Residential Experimentation (SHARE) was founded in 1970 as the first co-educational living group at Duke University. In the Spring of 1995, Epworth SHARE received approval from the administration to conduct a unique residendial experiment: we became the only living group on campus to include members from all four undergraduate years. Currently, all matriculating students are assigned to first-year dorms on Duke's East Campus. This effectively isolates the freshmen class from upperclass residential groups. Epworth SHARE, which is also located on East Campus, is the only group in which first year students can live and interact with their upperclass peers. We believe that this kind of interaction benefits both the first year students as well as the current Duke students. This is why we are offering you an opportunity to join our living group.

Who We Are

Epworth is definitely not a traditional living environment. This is the tie that binds the group together: we feel that there is an alternative to the traditional "dorm experience" that is superior. Environment that Epworth fosters is then an expression of what each member believes to be that alternative. Members of Epworth have a unique opportunity to create their own residential experience, instead of having one predetermined by the administration.

The membership in Epworth changes from year to year, and the mood of the group changes to reflect this. It is therefore difficult to predict what life in Epworth is going to be like. However, there are some general themes that seem to remain unchanged from year to year.

  • SHARE is a community, a closely knit group of people who care for the group as a whole. Many members are active within the group, contributing their ideas and creativity. They are also active outside of the group, extending the SHARE community beyond Epworth House. Each member loves to live here for different reasons, and while these reasons seldom agree, everyone is committed to preserving it as a special place.

  • SHARE is a place where you can be what or who you want to be. Or, if you haven't quite made up your mind yet, it is a place for you to explore the possibilites. Personal differences, quirks, opinions, and/or viewpoints are are preserved by a mutual respect between members of the dorm. Much can be learned from a person who thinks or believes differently than you. Members of SHARE live side by side with people both similar and startlingly different from themselves.

  • SHARE is an innovator in campus life. We strive to find real alternative and are not afraid to push past the bounds of the traditional in order to pursue the goal of a better residential experience. The vision of a better residential experience is a recurring topic, and is the subject of many discussions.

    Where We Live

    The name Epworth was amended to the title of our living group to signify the importance of our home. Epworth is a major part of our identity: it is more of a home than a dorm, and therefore SHARE is more of a (somewhat dysfunctional) family than a living group.

    Epworth House was constructed in 1893, as part of Trinity college. Today it remains as the oldest building on Duke's campus, a house of legend and rumor. It has undergone three major renovations during its service to the university, the most recent occuring during the summer of 1996. Epworth facillities include a full kitchen, 3 porches, a laundry room, 5 bathrooms (including 2 that are handicapped accessible), a study room, two suites, and an IBM computer cluseter.

    Epworth House has a student capacity of 52. Joining the students are the resident advisor (Sydney Boquieren) and the faculty-in-residence (Professor Roger Corless). Epworth is a co-ed house, and male and female rooms randomly scattered throughout. All bathrooms are also co-ed. This arraingment has worked successfully for several years.

    Epworth is located on East Campus, where the other first year students are housed. Therefore, while first year students in Epworth will not have the traditional living experience, they are in close proximity to other freshmen dorms and participate in the first-year board plan, which provides meals in the East Campus Union. East Campus provides a relaxed and open atmosphere, contrasting with West Campus. East Campus is in close proximity to Durham's Ninth Street and Brightleaf Square, popular off-campus locations offering unique shops and resturants.

    What We Do

    Some of the most important and worth-while activies that occur in Epworth SHARE are informal: dinner discussions, conversations in the commons rooms, late night debates, spontaneous parties... Epworth is both an active and interactive place to live. However, some more formal activities do occur. Two of the most notible activities are SHARE hours and Pedagogo. SHARE hours give members of the dorm an opportunity to tell others about their interest, experiences, or to convey some useful information (think of it as show and tell, collegiate style). Pedagogo (the bastard child of pedagogy and go-go dancing) is a series of events where members of the faculty are invited to Epworth on an informal basis. We encourage faculty to talk with us about anything the want, within or outside of their field of expertese. Our faculty-in-residence, Professor Corless, was a regular visitor to Epworth before being invited to reside with us.

    Other planned activities that occur in Epworth are dependent on the membership of SHARE. Special events are planned regularly during the year and include such favorites as the "Use Your Appendages" Party, Anime Fest, Epworth Prom (Oil My Lizard), The Epworth Retreat, and many others. This year brought us "Twilight", a very successful rave that was held in the East Campus Union. Other parties like Twilight will occur again in the future.

    We invite you to become part of Epworth SHARE. If you like what you have seen here and are interested in applying for membership, the information for applicants is listed at this web site. If you would like more information, you can e-mail Aaron Pinero at ap1@acpub.duke.edu with your questions.