History

Coulter House was named for John Merle Coulter, hired in 1894 to head the University's Department of Botany. An eminent scholar in his field, Coulter was known to have close platonic relationships with his plants. (His legacy is memorialized today by a small plastic rhododendron on the second-floor stairwell!).

Culture

Coulter House's is a culture of individuals of varying interests and backgrounds. Its residents, however, are united in their dedication to the life of both mind and body. Conversation at the House Table ranges from debates about Smith and Marx to pleas that we discuss something other than Smith and Marx. And on the intramural field, the House is a force to be reckoned -- but not trifled -- with (opposing teams sometimes confuse the two).