Demarest Hall Thematic Community

Demarest Hall

Located on the College Avenue Campus, Demarest offers the largest number and most varied special interest sections. These sections, which were established in 1966, can change each year based on student interest and initiative. Demarest Hall hosts 170 undergraduate students ranging from first-year to senior. Demarest residents are able to participate in as many of the special interest sections as they would like, and often work together to run events that reflect the values of the community.

Important Information for living in Demarest Hall:

Programs and Activities

  • Monthly Coffeehouses
  • Art Shows
  • Biannual Drag Show
  • Weekly Section Meetings & Activities
  • Demarest Semi-Formal
  • Band Nights
  • Demarest Reunion
  • And more!

Open to all class years and all majors.

All Demarest residents are expected to contract into at least one of the ten special interest sections. Demarest’s special interest sections can vary depending on the interests of residents and are subject to change. Sections are open to the general public and casual attendees. Sections have recently included:

  • Anime Section: Dives into the world of Japanese Animation through discussions around popular and historic productions.
  • Cinema Studies: Views, discusses, and critiques films of all genres.
  • Creative Writing: Supports its members in the production of written work and exploring both theory and practice of writing styles.
  • Feminism: Join fellow students in conversations, dialogues, and discussion around advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of equality of sexes, gender, and expression.
  • History and Political Science: Discusses current and controversial issues with specific relevance to history and political science.
  • Improv: Activity-focused group that utilizes a variety of improvisational games to help participants become more comfortable on stage in a humorous and non-judgemental setting.
  • Music Appreciation: Explores all facets of music through exhibition and discussion.
  • Performing Arts: Introduction to and practice of different roles within the art forms of music, theater, dance etc.
  • Philosophy: Expresses and exchanges ideas of a philosophical nature and introduces free thinkers with no background in the discipline to philosophical argument.
  • Sex, Sexuality, and Gender: Explores theories and issues of sex and sexuality in the contexts of culture and society, and focuses on inclusivity. Is open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, background, or personal beliefs.
  • Visual Arts: Committed to artistic freedom; Members explore various mediums and techniques for creating art as well as study, discuss, and critique historical and contemporary artistic trends.

Demarest members are expected to adhere to the following:

  • Be an active presence in the floor/hall community
  • Abide by all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as outlined by the Department of Residence Life
  • Participate in the development and growth of special interest housing at Rutgers University – New Brunswick

General Interest Form