The Mill home rises from the ashes

Author: Adam Dede

Since last month's Inter-House Council (IHC) recommendation to strip The Mill of its residential status for fire safety violations, the members of the social house have been working to overturn the ruling and become more fire safety conscious. Currently, The Mill still holds residential status, but is under probation.

Immediately following the IHC ruling The Mill sent two letters to Dean of the College Tim Spears. One letter, from the residents of The Mill, apologized for fire safety violations and stated that all current residents of The Mill would move out, as they now have. The second letter, from The Mill as a general organization, stated that in exchange for continued residential status, all members of The Mill will take a fire safety course, and the new residents of The Mill will be subject to random fire safety checks. Also, because of The Mill's probation, they will be unable to host any parties involving alcohol until April 1.

When Spears took these letters to the IHC, the commitment of The Mill members impressed the council members, who decided to reverse their earlier ruling, provided The Mill follows fire safety guidelines closely and adheres to the alcohol probationary period.

Despite the alcohol limitation, new President of the Mill Xander Manshel '09 is excited for the future of the organization and feels that the social house will be able to make a fresh start and grow from this.

"We're viewing these sanctions as a way to move forward in a positive and exciting way," said Manshel. "Hosting non-alcoholic events can and will welcome students to the house that might otherwise be uncomfortable in such a setting. As an organization, we look forward to strengthening ties between The Mill, the other social houses, the College and the community at large."

The Mill plans to reach out to the town community with service projects, which they hope will involve not only The Mill members, but students from across campus. Also in the works are small dinners and other quiet social events, which members of The Mill hope will set an example for the role of social houses beyond parties.

All of these plans are being made under new leadership at The Mill. Although those living at The Mill at the time of the fire are no longer residents, they will remain members of the organization.

"Keeping them involved is instrumental because, more than anybody, they understand the serious consequences that fire violations can pose," said Manshel. "They faced the frightening and very real possibility of what could have been."

The actual cause of the fire remains unexplained. No one was in the house at the time of the fire, and the Middlebury Fire Department has made no official statement as to the fire's cause.

Originally, it was thought that faulty wiring might be to blame, but the house's electrical system has since been checked to ensure its safety and no problem was discovered. But at this point, the cause of the fire is no longer the issue, and most are glad that nothing more than property was harmed.

"In the end, I'm just glad that no one got hurt and that The Mill continues to be a safe place to live and spend time," said Manshel.