College Houses is a registered 501c3 nonprofit that is cooperatively managed by our student members. Each of our seven west campus co-ops is maintained by its members – we do everything from maintenance to cooking meals (17/week included). Every week, houses hold meetings to discuss policies and plan for the future.
Self-governance means we elect officers to coordinate and manage most day-to-day operations. Not only does this provide excellent opportunities for education and personal growth, it also keeps our costs down tremendously. And, because we’re a non-profit, those savings are passed directly to you.
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 500 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 contribute to and enjoy.
College Houses - Hosteling Coordinator
Co-op / Organization:
College Houses
Location:
Austin, TX
Type of Organization:
Educational; Housing
Brief Description of Organization:
Website:
http://collegehouses.org/
Number of Members:
530
Number of Staff:
6
Dress Code:
Casual
Internship Position Title:
Hosteling Coordinator
Internship Position Duties:
The Hosteling Coordinator will be responsible for marketing our hosteling rooms, communicating with potential and current hostelers, completing paperwork and criminal background checks for potential hostelers, checking people in and out of rooms, preparing and cleaning rooms on an ongoing basis, laundering linens and towels on a regular basis, purchasing travel toiletries to provide to hostelers, taking payments, managing our online presence, managing HOT tax requirements, and other duties as they arise pertaining to the hosteling program.
Position Training:
On staff, the Membership Director will train the intern. The Hosteling Coordinator will work with house officers from each co-op that will be participating in the hosteling program to gain a greater knowledge of the house culture, rules and desires for their hosteling program.
Skills Development & Learning:
The Hosteling Coordinator will develop their ability to work independently to promote a hospitable environment for hostelers. They will maintain administrative and financial records while communicating with a variety of stakeholders (staff, members, officers, and hostelers). The Hosteling Coordinator will also manage marketing/outreach efforts to attract hostelers.
Other details of working conditions:
Will mostly be working at our houses, but will have some time in our administrative office each week.
Compensation ($):
The intern will earn 15% of total cost per traveler per night. Single occupancy room and board valued between $1,474- $1,632. Payable bi-weekly.
Is Room Included?:
Yes
Working Hours:
This position requires flexibility in scheduling, as some hostelers arrive nights/weekends. Office open 10am-6pm Monday-Friday.
Total Hours of Work Per Week:
Will vary throughout the summer depending on the number of travelers. We estimate between 25-40 hours each week.