Council examines social houses

Author: Brian Fung

Representatives of the College's Community Council voted Feb. 18 to abide by recommendations made by the Subcommittee on Social and Academic Interest Houses regarding the behavior of three out of five campus social houses. While Xenia, The Mill and Omega Alpha were all approved for continued operation in the next academic year, the Council voted to consider organizations Delta House and Kappa Delta Rho (KDR) separately over the coming weeks.

The two outstanding cases are expected to see approval pending further negotiations among Council members regarding the unique stipulations attached to Delta's and KDR's records, which some representatives said were not strict enough. The sanctions are intended to encourage good social house behavior, with the oblique threat of probation or other punishments for houses that fail to satisfy the requirements of any stipulations associated with their review.

KDR has consistently fallen short of Council mandates calling for a reduction in the house's annual dorm damage costs, said Subcommittee Co-chair Michael Glidden. In each of the past three academic years, the amount of damage caused by KDR to its house on South Street has exceeded $1,000. In the 2006-2007 academic year alone, total KDR damage costs reached $1,374, according to the subcommittee's report - more than three times the rate charged that year to the next most destructive social house, Omega Alpha.

Much of the damage incurred by KDR, suggested Glidden, likely came as a result of the social house's annual tradition known as the Pig Roast.

"Someone took it upon themselves to add College property - i.e. chairs - to the fire," said Glidden. "The Pig Roast is a constant issue. This is not the first time that the Pig Roast has come up to a substantial amount of damage."

The subcommittee's report urged KDR to bring damage fees to below $750 in the next academic year, or "suspend or modify" the Pig Roast in 2009. But some Council representatives, such as Assistant Professor of Mathematics Emily Proctor, called for stronger language that would lay down real consequences for the social house if it failed to meet the request.

"These are pretty empty stipulations," said Proctor. "The implicit understanding is that if they don't meet the stipulation, we'll close them down - but I don't think anybody's ready to pull the trigger."

Other Council members suggested that rather than adding sharper teeth to the recommendation, they should encourage KDR to discuss with the administration ways to reduce damage in anticipation of the Pig Roast this spring.

"Maybe it's just that they need help," said student representative Peyton Coles '08. "If we stipulate right now that they have to run their plan by someone in Facilities [Services] who's experienced, the staff can evaluate it and offer advice."

In light of the Council's discussion, the recommendations regarding KDR were returned to the Subcommittee for revision. Council members expect to return to debate on KDR next week, while also beginning discussion on Delta House.

Delta has faced intense scrutiny since the spring of 2006, when the organization was evicted from its traditional Ridgeline residence, Prescott House, after its members held a party that violated a number of College regulations. Though Delta was again denied residential status this academic year, it has remained active as a social group and on Monday was recommended by the Subcommittee for full reinstatement.

"All of their parties this fall have been, quote-unquote, perfect parties," said Glidden. "We had no violations. The membership seems strong and continuing to do community service - via either fundraising or some involvement with respect to local sports teams."

If the Council grants Delta's request for residency, the social house could be returned to Prescott in the fall of 2008.

Meanwhile, despite smoldering tensions between the administration and The Mill over a small fire in the group's house on South Main Street last December, as well as a number of fire code violations, the social house was approved for continuation with minor stipulations. They include continuing to abide by the Inter-House Council's probation, imposed after the fire, and showing "continued respect for College policy," according to the Subcommittee report.

Amid the investigation surrounding the December incident, President of The Mill Willie Orbison '08 resigned from his position as new residents began moving into the house this semester.

The Mill, as an organization, will not be facing significant dorm damage charges, even though the cost of the fire reached considerable proportions, according to Glidden.

"Substantial damage was not billed to the house," he said, "since it was picked up by the individual responsible."

Other discussion on Monday sought to address gender inequality among members of the College's substance-free organization, Xenia House. Out of the group's six members residing in Bowker House on Hillcrest Road, four are female, while two are male. Among all Xenia students, 79 percent are female and only 21 percent are male. The house's strong weight in favor of females has led the Community Council to consider Xenia's performance in the area of gender equality only "marginal," and to insist that the organization involve more males in house leadership roles.

Still, the issues involving damages incurred by certain social houses, and the proper way for the College to respond to such issues, dominated the discussion.

"I think the College should take into account both the nature of the damage and the intent behind the damage, and choose an appropriate recourse from there," said Council member Dean Atyia '08.5. "They should also take into account whether or not remunerations can be paid by the offender, because if the offender can offer remunerations, whether monetarily or through action, it demonstrates remorse and reflects positively. I think they do a pretty good job of that now. We should always keep in mind there are some actions and some damages that cannot be excused and require the strictest and swiftest response," Atyia added, "and I hope not to see those in my tenure."