Environmental House

The Environmental House, more commonly known as the “Outhouse,” strives to build community and educate Whitman students about topics of environment, sustainability, and ecology. Established in 1981, the Outhouse has 6 bedrooms and comfortably houses an average of eight residents and one Resident Assistant.

Activities at this house have included the well-loved “Outhouse Unplugged,” where Whitman students perform acoustic music and candlelit poetry without any electricity; composting and recycling programs; native plant restoration projects; and dialogue and activism about local and global environmental crises. In addition, Outhouse residents often have a weekly environment-saving theme such as no-electricity week, water-conservation week, and more.

The Outhouse is affiliated with the Environmental Studies department and collaborates with an advisor from that department. At least once in the semester, the house advisor is invited over for dinner to discuss the programs that Outhouse residents are planning for the semester. The following link will give you access to the Whitman Environmental Studies homepage.

Residents of the Outhouse collaborate to plan and host events for all of campus, complete weekly chores, and actively engage with the house and the Interest House Community.

If you would like to arrange to join the Outhouse for dinner or have any questions about house activities, please contact the RA.