It is founded on the idea that friendships can transcend nationality, race, and religion. Residents are about 70 percent graduate students and scholars and 30 percent juniors and seniors, with seniors getting first dibs.
Graduate students get single rooms, undergraduates double.
There is generally a waiting list for fall semester, so undergraduates are encouraged to apply for I House residency in May or June. A big attraction of living at I House is the dining room, with its American and international buffets prepared by a professional staff. National and international holidays are often celebrated with special menus. Here one can find students from countries separated by hostile governments sitting together for the first time at a dinner table half way across the world. Open 365 days a year, I House facilities include a game room, library, computer room, meeting rooms, auditorium, and cafe.