Houston Hall Welcome Desk
Conveniently located in the lobby of Houston Hall, our Welcome Desk is your go-to spot for resources and guidance here at the University of Pennsylvania.
Our exterior doors are locked for security, but all students can swipe the PennCards to enter the building from either the Penn Commons or Spruce Street entrances.
Whether you need help finding an event location, booking space, or learning about our programs, our friendly staff are here to support you. Visit us at Houston Hall or contact the Welcome Desk at (215) 898-4636.
Our exterior doors are locked for security, but all students can swipe the PennCards to enter the building from either the Penn Commons or Spruce Street entrances.
Whether you need help finding an event location, booking space, or learning about our programs, our friendly staff are here to support you. Visit us at Houston Hall or contact the Welcome Desk at (215) 898-4636.
Houston Market
In order to provide our students with a true student union experience, we offer several dining options in our Houston Market on the ground floor of Houston Hall. Dining options in the Market are focused on simple, delicious food that is good for you.
The Market's chefs and managers are committed to safely serving guests with food allergies and sensitivities, ensuring all patrons can enjoy what the Market has to offer. To learn more about each location in the Market, follow the link below.
The Market's chefs and managers are committed to safely serving guests with food allergies and sensitivities, ensuring all patrons can enjoy what the Market has to offer. To learn more about each location in the Market, follow the link below.
Williams Cafe
If you're looking to support your peers and find some friendly faces, Williams Cafe in Williams Hall is for you! Williams Cafe is an agency of the student-run Penn Student Agencies. Independent of the school’s dining plan, Wilcaf provides products and services that are not only exclusive to its location, but catered to Penn’s diverse student body.
To find more information on the business, the team, and job opportunities, please see Williams Cafe's website below.
To find more information on the business, the team, and job opportunities, please see Williams Cafe's website below.
Irvine Piano Practice Rooms
During the academic year, current Penn students can visit the Welcome Desk in Houston Hall to temporarily exchange their PennCard for an access key to the Irvine Auditorium. Keys are due back at 10:45pm, 15 minutes prior to Houston Hall closing. If you do not return the access key, your PennCard will be held at the Welcome Desk until the key is returned.
To access Irvine Auditorium, exit Houston Hall via the Penn Commons doors and take a right towards Irvine Auditorium (going East). Use the access key to swipe into the building. There are two sets of elevators and multiple stairwells around the first floor of Irvine; any of them will lead you down to the Ground Floor. The practice rooms are located in the center of this floor.
To access Irvine Auditorium, exit Houston Hall via the Penn Commons doors and take a right towards Irvine Auditorium (going East). Use the access key to swipe into the building. There are two sets of elevators and multiple stairwells around the first floor of Irvine; any of them will lead you down to the Ground Floor. The practice rooms are located in the center of this floor.
Drop-In Tutoring Services
The Weingarten Center offers Penn undergraduate students free, accessible, and convenient options to complement their in-class learning. The Student Union @ Houston Hall is partnered with the Weingarten Center to host Drop-In Tutoring for some of Penn's most popular undergraduate courses in the Houston Market on the lower level of Houston Hall. No appointment needed; just bring your PennCard and any questions you may have! These services begin the second week of each semester and run Monday - Thursday 7:45 pm - 10:30 pm.
Follow the link below to learn about what courses are offered.
Follow the link below to learn about what courses are offered.
Reading Room
The Reading Room is a safe space for students to eat, read, or catch up on work. As this space is open access, it is not designated as a quiet study space, but is an option for students who may want a quieter space to enjoy their free time. Houston Hall's convenient location on campus makes this comfortable space a great option between classes.
The Reading Room is located on the West side of Houston Hall's first floor. When entering Houston Hall via the Penn Commons door, take an immediate right and the Reading Room will be just past the fireplace. Click the link below to explore other spaces in the historic Houston Hall.
The Reading Room is located on the West side of Houston Hall's first floor. When entering Houston Hall via the Penn Commons door, take an immediate right and the Reading Room will be just past the fireplace. Click the link below to explore other spaces in the historic Houston Hall.
Game Room
The Game Room is a community space where students can watch television, play games with friends, and hang out in a relaxed space. The Welcome Desk has board games, ping pong paddles, and billiards cues that students can reserve temporarily in exchange for their PennCard. Please treat our equipment with respect before returning!
The Game Room is located on the East side of Houston Hall's first floor. When entering Houston Hall via the Penn Commons door, take an immediate left and the Game Room will be just past the fireplace. To see what equipment you may reserve, see below. Click the link below to explore other spaces in the historic Houston Hall.
The Game Room is located on the East side of Houston Hall's first floor. When entering Houston Hall via the Penn Commons door, take an immediate left and the Game Room will be just past the fireplace. To see what equipment you may reserve, see below. Click the link below to explore other spaces in the historic Houston Hall.
Equipment Rental
The Game Room is equipped with various consoles and equipment you can borrow completely for free! Head over to the Welcome Desk and exchange your PennCard temporarily for the game equipment you require.
The only limitations are building hours and if someone has already rented the equipment. We have the following equipment available:
The only limitations are building hours and if someone has already rented the equipment. We have the following equipment available:
- Pool Cues (up to 4), Briefcase of Pool Balls, Rack;
- Ping Pong Paddles (up to 4) and Ping Pong Balls (up to 2);
- Chess Set;
- Plenty of Board Games!
Group Study Rooms
Events and Operations maintains reservations for Group Study Rooms through LibCal. Follow the link below to reserve a Group Study Room.