Community Council update

Author: Hilary Hall

The Community Council met on Mar. 30 to review the Queer Studies House, a new Honor Code protocol and the campus social houses. After unanimously passing the last meeting's minutes, the Council listened to an update from the Queer Studies House, which is in its first year as an academic interest house.

"It's been really successful," said Christine Bachman '09, a resident. "We've figured out a good system."

The house, which its five members wish to emphasize is not sexual identity-based, focuses on interdisciplinary study. Bachman cited weekly tea times, monthly queer talks and its safe community as the strongest parts of their first year.

The house will be full again next year and looks forward to expanding their advertising of events.

After this review, the Council heard from Student Government Association (SGA) President Hiba Fakhoury '09 and SGA Chief of Staff Katie Hylas '09, who proposed new honor code regulations. The protocol, a compromise between the SGA and the Faculty Council, changes some handbook language to make it more flexible for faculty members to proctor exams but does not give them full rights to do so. It is on the basis of concern for the need to monitor and requires the Dean of the College's approval.

"It's a terrific compromise," said Acting Dean of the College Gus Jordan. "It allows feedback from students."

The Council voted almost unanimously, with just one dissenting vote, to pass the proposal. It will next go to student vote, then to the Honor Code Review Committee.

Last on the agenda was the Social House Review, presented by council member Mack Roark, an educational technology specialist for Library and Information Services. The Review approved all five social houses on campus to continue until next year's review, with some stipulations. Both Delta House and KDR are required to lower their high damage costs to $250 per semester and $500 per year. Both Xenia and Tavern had no stipulations, while the Mill was asked to provide more details as to the genders and places of origin of their members, which is a required part of the Review that the Mill did not complete this year.

The Council passed unanimously this review and then ended the meeting.