Applications to the IRC were first available in January 2001, and the IRC opened its doors in the Fall of 2001. The Founder and First Principal of the IRC was Prof. Brad Brown. The crest represents the four houses and their corresponding words of the Latin Motto, the Wheat for food, the Bear for friendship, the Owl for wisdom, and the Laurels for peace.
Membership
International Residential College residents can be of any year at the university. All students, whether they are returning upperclassmen, incoming First Years, transfer students, or exchange students, must apply to be able to live in the IRC.
Dorms/Houses
Munford and Gwathmey Houses
Mary Munford and Roberta Gwathmey are two interconnected buildings located on Emmet Street, near the Memorial Gym. Both offer air conditioning for their residents.
Munford House – Except for six men who live in a small corridor on the first floor, all the residents of Munford House are women, including all of the first-year women. About 100 people live in Munford. Each floor is equipped with study rooms, a large kitchen, and two bathrooms. There are three floors and no elevators. The first floor is a communal space for all students of the IRC, and the location of many events the IRC sponsors.
Gwathmey House – Gwathmey is the largest residence, holding about 120 students. Men, including the first-years, live on the first and third floors, and the second floor is for women. Each floor is equipped with a large kitchen and a large bathroom. The first floor lounge contains a large TV, DVD, Play Station and two sofas.
Yen and Hoxton Houses
Yen and Hoxton are located next to Alumni Hall on Sprigg Lane. Both houses are designed in the suite style, where most suites are inhabited by like-gendered students in single and double rooms. Hoxton has one co-ed suite. Both houses also have several single and double rooms available in the hallways between the suites. Shared and private bathrooms, as well as full kitchens on each floor, are also available in both houses.
Yen House – Yen holds about 60 upper-class students and is air conditioned. Yen House was formerly named Lewis House; in 2017 the name was changed to Yen House to honor the first Chinese student to earn a degree from UVA.
Hoxton House – Hoxton holds approximately 40 upper-class students and is air conditioned.
Morea House
Morea House is located behind Hoxton house. It includes Morea Arboretum at the west end of its grounds. The house is divided into two sections, Big Morea and Little Morea.
Big Morea is where the principal of the IRC and their family resides.
Little Morea is where the director of studies and their family resides.
Meal Events
The IRC offers many meal events for its residents.
Weekly
Mug Mornings – Every Monday morning, muffins and coffee are provided, while every Friday morning bagels and coffee are available, both times in the Munford Gathering Place, from 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Petit Dejeuner – Every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:00 am, a Continental breakfast in the "Gathering Place" of Mary Munford is provided, offering coffee, tea, juice, fresh bread, and croissants. During Exam Week, Petit Déjeuner is offered every morning.
Monthly
Morea Evenings – Once a month, the Principal of the IRC and his family open their home to IRC residents for desert in a social setting.
Special Events
The IRC offers many irregular events for its residents, including BBQs, ice cream socials, s'mores, tea times, and tailgates, as well as a formal Valentine's Day Dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda.
