Eclectic Event Hosting Ban Is Over

President Roth apparently lifted the Eclectic social event hosting ban last night.

The Eclectic society is on probation for the rest of the year and Reslife penalties will remain, but as far as we can tell the previously canceled shows once again have a venue and the Sound Co-op is back in action.

Good decision! More details as they come.

[EDIT: 11:14 pm]
President Roth posted a concise, characteristically level-headed explanation of the entire fiasco, as well as the terms of Eclectic's probation, on the Roth blog:

If you follow news of Wesleyan, you already know that there has recently been disciplinary action taken by the Student Judicial Board against Eclectic because of an incident at the house in December. The student board that heard the case found that the society had been guilty of violations of the party and noise policies and a failure to comply with requests from Public Safety. They thought a proper penalty for this would be to forbid Eclectic from hosting social/musical events at night through the end of April.

Many students have been very upset about this ruling because it doesn’t only affect Eclectic but the whole musical culture of Wesleyan. I understand the basis for this concern: the society does provide a vital function for the presentation of music in a distinctive setting. Much of the great musical culture we prize at Wesleyan passes through Eclectic. However, if the society can not present music in a way that is safe and that recognizes the rights of the neighborhood, then Eclectic won’t be able to play that role in the future.

I am confident that the SJB and Dean Backer acted in accordance with our procedures, and that their findings in regard to the events of December 8, 2008 were correct. However, based on communication with Eclectic since that time, and my belief that the society is committed to acting as responsible hosts for events, I have reconsidered and modified the sanction in this case.

I take seriously (and appreciate) Eclectic’s desire to host events in a way that works for the artists, is safe for those who attend, and respects the rights of neighbors. This is also my intention and the intention of Student Affairs. So, rather than ban events for the remainder of the semester, I have asked Marshall Ball, Eclectic’s President, and Dean Rick Culliton to work together on a written agreement that delineates Eclectic’s responsibilities for events going forward. If they can reach the agreement quickly, events can resume under the specific guidelines. As long as the events continue according to those guidelines, the ban will remain lifted.

At the end of the semester representatives of Eclectic and Student Affairs can discuss what went well, and where we need to pay more attention to run the kinds of events we all want. If we are unable to run events this term in accord with the principles with which we all agree, then we will not plan any social or musical events at 200 High Street going forward. Thus, this is a probationary period that should allow us to move to a better platform for events in the future.

I very much appreciate the difficult work that the Student Judicial Board did in sorting out the facts in this case. I also am grateful for the thoughtful responses from many in the Eclectic Society, and others who cherish the vibrant music scene on campus. I hope that by developing a framework for hosting events at 200 High Street we will continue to have interesting artists perform in a context that is exciting and safe for those who attend, and that is respectful of the community in which we live.

So Eclectic is on probation for the rest of the semester, and has to work on a detailed list of responsibilities for events with the Dean which they have to uphold. If all goes well at the end of the semester they should be good to go; if more things go wrong, no more Eclectic events next year.

Harsh. At least it resolves the issue for now - hopefully no more unfortunate incidents go down this semester to make that a possibility.

What's Up, Fire Safety?

It seems that some outrage is brewing over Fire Safety's decision to bring back the inspections which they had previously said would stop this semester. Fire safety is important and ok, yeah, you technically shouldn't be lighting candles and incense under the tapestry which shouldn't be hanging on your wall, but the manner in which they're going back on their decision is a bit strange.

And judging from this WSA reaction email, Fire Safety is now apparently back with a vengeance, ready to go rogue:

The WSA was recently informed that Fire Safety inspectors have decided to disregard the search stoppage that was outlined by the WSA and the Argus earlier this semester. Thus, the WSA strongly encourages students to double-check their rooms for total compliance with Fire Safety regulations and the Code of Non-Academic content. Students who are not prepared for additional Fire Safety inspections should expect no mercy from newly emboldened Fire Safety inspectors.

The ResLife email from Fran Koerting in which the new searches were announced claimed that the January decision not to conduct fire safety inspections was "incorrectly reported" in the Argus article, which is weird because that would also mean it was also "incorrectly reported" by the WSA, which has no clear interest in misconstruing the facts.

This is the WSA's side of the story, which seems reasonable:

After months of considerable pressure from the WSA on questionable Fire Safety inspection procedures, the administration did inform us that Fire Safety had completed their inspections for the year. The WSA was also told that problematic areas with past violations might be subject to reinspection. The Argus ran an article which correctly reported all of these facts.

Subsequently, the WSA learned that ResLife planned to warn staff of additional random inspections this year, despite the previous notification that inspections had been completed. There are two possible explanations for Fire Safety’s decision to impose an additional round of random inspections:

• The administration was initially disingenuous or misinformed in notifying the WSA and the Argus about the completion of searches.

• Fire Safety decided to capitalize on reduced vigilance of unsuspecting students following the publication of negative coverage in the Argus regarding the search stoppage.

So which is it, administrative negligence or Fire Safety disingenousness?

Again, not to minimize the obvious necessity of promoting fire safety, but why announce that last semester's inspections were sufficient, only to go back on the decision three weeks later? Are they deliberately trying to instill fear and mistrust in the student body, especially after certain incidents over the past two years?

Until some answers become apparent, you would do well to follow the WSA's recommendations:

Keeping the community safe is everyone's first priority. As your WSA representatives, we implore you not to engage in activity which could result in burning down your residence. Go here to learn more about Fire Safety and the appeals process for improper fines. The WSA will continue to work towards protecting student rights and ensuring that we are all treated with the respect and dignity we deserve.

And once again, go over ResLife's fire safety guidelines so as to keep Fire Safety from coming down on your ass hard.

Fire Safety Inspections Are Back

As it turns out, fire safety inspections have not, as previously reported, ended for the academic year. In fact, random checks will probably start later this week, so make haste in putting your fire-hazard contraband out of sight.

From a ResLife email to all RA's:

A few weeks ago, it was incorrectly reported in the Argus that fire safety inspections would not be conducted this semester. While we are thrilled that inspections were completed in all of our student residences in the fall, and that the number of violations was significantly less than previous years, we want to be sure students are continuing to abide by the fire safety guidelines, and that our residences are safe. Therefore, random checks will be conducted throughout this semester. In addition, rooms that had violations in the fall will be checked again this semester.

If you could please remind your residents to ...remove any prohibited items as soon as possible (as inspections will likely begin later this week), you will be doing them a service.

Here are ResLife's fire safety guidelines for you to review.

Lockout charge policy changed

ResLife has amended its lockout charge policy. Currently, you are charged $10 every time you lock yourself out of your room and your RA lets you in. Now, though, you get one freebie. From an e-mail from ResLife Director Fran Koerting:

At the recommendation of the Undergraduate Residential Life Committee of the WSA, Residential Life has changed its policy regarding lockout charges. The current policy is that students are charged $10 each time a Resident Advisor keys them into their room. The new policy is to not charge students for their first lockout in which an RA keys them in, beyond the first two week grace period of the school year. RAs will still complete a lockout form so that the department can track key-ins, and students will be charged $10 for each subsequent key-in by an RA. Any students who have been charged thus far this semester will receive a $10 credit to their student account.

Students are reminded to key [sic] their room key with them at all times, lock their doors when they go to sleep or leave the room, and to not leave their keys in the lock. Questions about this change in policy should be directed to Fran Koerting, Director of Residential Life, at fkoerting@wes.

Nics Master Key (Important!)

Micah Feiring '11 sends this super important message regarding the loss of a Nics Master key. 

Dear classmates,

My name is Micah Feiring and I am your class representative to the WSA. As I am sure many of you know the RA master key to Nicolson Dorm was taken last week from a ResLife office. As a result, the university has decided to permanently re-key every Nicolson door over fall break. This clusterf**k situation is going to cost thousands and thousands of dollars—money that could be spent to help improve living conditions for students all over campus. As your Rep, I spend hours each week trying to scrape up money to improve student life. And its really depressing when something pointless like this threatens to waste so much of what I work towards saving. Besides ResLife funds, a significant environmental impact will result from the university disposing of so many locks for no reason. Therefore, I implore whoever took the key to return it anonymously. You can do this by dropping the key in an envelope addressed to the WSA and drop it off via intercampus mail. The WSA will then shred this envelope and bring the key to ResLife. I have spoken with the administration and no information from returning the key will be used to find the person responsible for the theft. The key needs to be returned before Friday.

This is a really shitty situation and I hope whoever has the key will have the decency to send it home.

Hoping for the best,

Micah

Create your own Program House!

Program Housing Area Coordinator Dawn Brown writes:

Interested in creating a unique living experience for next year?

Want to have a lasting impression on the housing options at Wesleyan?

The office of Residential Life is offering you the chance to create your own program house for the 2009-2010 academic year! If you feel that there's potential for an exciting new community on campus, this is your chance to make it happen.

For more information, please check out our website at www.wesleyan.edu/reslife

Ginger Ninjas pedal through M-town

This is relatively short notice, but the Ginger Ninjas are coming to Wesleyan TOMORROW! The concert is in conjunction with a ResLife BBQ (which means food is only for Hi Rise/Lo Rise and T-Square residents) but the music is free for all.

In 2007, the Ninjas became the first band in the history of rock and roll to tour by bicycle, unsupported by automobile. On a 5,000 mile odyssey from their home in Northern California to the pyramids of southern Mexico, they promoted transportation cycling while also exploring the frontiers of pedal-generated electricity, using their own bikes to power a hyper-efficient sound system. (Sounds pretty much amazing to me). They call their style "mind shaking love groove folk funk roots rock explosive international pedal powered mountain music for a pleasant revolution."

See this video for more:

See also:
-myspace
-website

What: Ginger Ninjas epic bike-powered concert
When: Saturday, 9/13 at 1:30
Where: High rise/Low rise courtyard

Hide your goods, freshmen!

From a recent email sent by Dean Rick Culliton:

Please remember that Residential Life and Campus Fire Safety conduct periodic room inspections. During these inspections fire safety violations are documented and if alcohol is found in plain view in student rooms where the residents are not 21 or older, it will be confiscated.

If you lived here, you'd be home by now!

Last year, ResLife decided to implement a guest card access policy--anyone living in a building with card access could request access to that building for up to three people, but it was only good from 10:00 AM-midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Thursday through Saturday. Not anymore. Guests now have 24/7 access, according to the request form. Woo hoo!

(The following buildings currently have card access: Fauver, Clark, WestCo, Nicolson, Hewitt, the Butts, Hi-Rise, 202 Washington, and 230 Washington. 200 Church is also slated to receive card access next month, probably by fall break. Note that the prototype woodframes--14 Warren, 20 Fountain, 25 Fountain, and 231 Pine--also have card access, but residents apparently cannot grant guest access.)

19 Fountain Will Bring the Noise

ResLife just sent out an apparently very belated courtesy email last week informing students living around 19 Fountain that... by the way, they'll be living next to a noisy construction site for all of fall semester. Kind of short notice, especially with such little apparent previous warning:

In case you were not already aware of it, the university is building a new undergraduate house at 19 Fountain, which will consist of three five person units. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the semester. For those of you in the immediate neighborhood, the work will be noisy at times. Workers are typically on site between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. We apologize in advance for any inconveniences or disturbances caused. For your own safety, please do not enter the construction area... Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Thom Sisson '09 asks "Did they even mention this during GRS last year? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have picked my house if I knew I was going to be woken up at 7 am by construction workers."

Sorry 19 Fountain neighbors, bring earplugs I guess. Construction details are available here.

Butt B is EastCo

Earlier this year a taped sign in the Butterfield B courtyard that used to read "HPPI" (for the Health Professions Partnership Initiative office located on the 1st floor) was torn down to reveal a more prominent sign (above) reading "East College", causing reactions ranging from apathy to mild curiosity among residents who thought they were living in a fairly unremarkable dorm on a far side of campus... until now!

You knew about WestCo, and North College, and maybe even South College, but EastCo? Why the (literal) cover-up? Why expose it now? Could Butt B have been intended at some point to be an eastern counterpart to that more prominent dorm in the West? Is this some kind of passive-aggressive attempt at re-branding by ResLife?

In that case, what's next for this latently cardinally-directed building? A personality? A cohesive sense of community? More noise? I can't be the only mildly curious to hear answers.

Administration Caves, Reauthorizes Zonker Harris Day (with conditions)

Bowing to intense pressure from an angrily motivated student body, the administration has announced that it will not use the Student Activities and Leadership Development Board to ban Zonker Harris day. Earlier restrictions on raising money from RA's to fund the embattled festival will also be eased, though the $1000 annual guidance budget will still be witheld, placing a heavy financial burden on the organizers.

"We've been surprised by the intensity of the pressure on us to allow it to continue, and in consultation with the Admissions Department we've tried to work out a way for the festival to continue with some modifications," Director of ResLife Fran Koerting said Monday. "Public Safety is being asked to play a much more prominent role this year in order to ensure that the Code of Non-Academic Conduct is followed."

Rumors have circulated that some Public Safety Officers will be out of uniform in order to present a less intimidating presence to revelers and, in the words of Director of Public Safety David Meyer, "Really show that we're not here to put a damper on your fun, demonstrate that we're just trying to keep you safe," adding that his main concern wasn't "some student smoking a little reefer in the privacy of their room and then going outside to play with paint," but rather "hostile elements, perhaps from outside the University, who may see the festival as an opportunity to take advantage of our students. Shank them and sell their iPods for crack, steal their sneakers, that kind of thing."

President Michael Roth couldn't be reached for immediate comment, but Dean of Admissions Nancy Meislahn, one of the architects of what has come to be known as "Operation Buzzkill," decried ResLife's "spinelessness, and just general inability to say no even when clear violations of our drug policy are happening right out in the open in front of parents and prospective students." She added, "I don't see anything wrong with calling the Middletown Police Department and having the whole lot of degenerates stripped, searched, cuffed and thrown in the slammer."

Privately, administrators have acknowledged that much credit for the shift is due to the chorus of alumni and trustee opinions they've heard in the weeks since the decision was announced. One senior-level administrator, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the deliberations, was surprised just how many people's parents seemed to be "both generous, committed allies of the University and simultaneously a pack of... well I don't know what else to call them besides rich, predominantly Jewish, dopefiends." She added, "There's a real sense of moral outrage against this kind of crackdown. Many alumni cherish countercultural memroies of Wesleyan, and feel heartbroken that the University is trying to whitewash its image in what they see as a dishonest, revisionist fashion." Many have threatened to withdraw their financial support, citing other progressive institutions such as Hampshire College as being potentially more deserving of their money.

Public Safety will be having a number of open workshops in the coming weeks in order to better prepare students to confront the challenges they'll undoubtedly be faced with at Zonker Harris Day this year. "We're really concerned about the potential for someone to overdose, or accidentally take a drug other than they intend," explained Meyer. "We're going to be having an outside expert come in and explain to students how to tell 'good shit' from 'brick weed', and we'll be distributing free drug-test kits in order to ensure that the pills students will undoubtedly be popping are pure and, you know, what they think they are." In not-so-oblique reference to Sunday's incidents, he added "Sure, we'd prefer students respect the Code and not ingest illegal drugs, but pragmatically speaking the last thing we want is for people to rush into something, take too much acid and then run down the halls naked defecating and urinating on everyone and everything in sight. I mean who knows, there is a real potential for a scatological situation involving a tour group. We're really trying to minimize that possibility, and so we're focusing our efforts along the lines of 'responsible use'-type education rather than, you know, TASERs and K9 units..."

Professer Pringle of the Chemistry department also volunteered to run state-of-the-art chromotography and NMR tests to determine the purity and identity of "you know, mystery pills, powders, things that might or might not be blotter acid" in an effort to ensure that no chemical accidents happen. Adding, "I know a little something about these drugs myself, you see. Back in the 60's and early 70's Wesleyan was actually a really wonderful place to work if you were into any of those kind of compounds, because there were so many of us Professors researching them. You could trade notes on lysergic chemicals with the Professor across the hall or, you know, go down a floor and get the skinny on the tryptamines from the guy who dug that kind of stuff. Man, we sure had some memorable faculty conferences."

Even Bon Appetit was relieved at the turn of events. Weshop will be stocking extra snack items, the most successful of which will likely be continued in subsequent weeks. "The whole Zonker Harris phenomenon really gives us a new way to market healthy food to students in a manner consistent with the Circle of Responsibility," gushed Delmar Crim. "It just really opens new doors in terms of trying new things. New flavor combinations, hip snacks and edgy uses for Nutella all form this kind of synergy which we're really trying to make the most of." Crim then showed off his "ZonkZuit," a tie-died mascot-style costume complete with a big filligreed spoon, which he'll be premiering at the festival. "I'm going to be walking around with a sample platter, of you know, 'munchies' and just really trying to educate people about how to eat better. This seemed like the best option to really connect with kids, you know, speaking the hip jive of the youths."

Housing floor plans

GRS just got a little less painful. An astute Wesleying reader writes:

On the ResLife page for housing, they have now published FLOOR PLANS of many residence halls and apartment units. The link for residence halls is here and the link for apartments is here.

From these pages, one can select the building they are interested in and view the blueprints as pdf files, which are pretty accurately drawn in my opinion. They have not uploaded senior woodframes or freshman only residence halls. However, it is possible they may come up later this week or as room selection gets closer.

Wow, this is something people have been pushing for for years now! Thanks, Reslife!

WestCo accepting applications for housing

Ivan Maulana '11 writes:

We would like to invite every rising sophomore cat to come apply to live in westco next year. it's not quite programme housing and not quite dormitory living but "community-based rocking". we could wax about the perks of living in westco, but winter it is too cold and the bed looks warm. anyhow, as we on this side of foss hill say, westco is the bestco. applications opened on friday and are due by the 29th (leap day). to access the application, go to My Student Portfolio>Student Life at Wesleyan>Room Selection. hurry and get on the westco train before it leaves and you're hanging on with your legs dragging over the rails.

Program Housing Fair this Friday

Thom Sisson '09 writes:

Worried about GRS? Terrified of getting a bad pick and spending the next year in the Butts? Or maybe you really want to live in a friendly, homelike environment with others who share your interests?

Program Housing is an awesome opportunity to live in a house dedicated to the pursuit of one of your interests. Wesleyan has over 25 program houses that offer something for everyone! It's a great experience and arguably the best living option for sophomores and juniors.

If you're interested, whether you've never heard of Program Housing before or whether you've already got a house in mind, come to the Program Housing Fair, this Friday, February 8, in Beckham Hall, from 2-5 PM. Representatives from all the Program Houses on campus will be there to explain exactly why their house is the best.

Date: Friday, Feb. 8
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Beckham Hall

Don't make your friends wait in the cold

Cold winter nights waiting outside your friend's dorm while he/she made a run for the locked door were never fun. Now, thanks to ResLife and the Undergraduate Residential Life Committee, those cold winter nights of waiting are no more:

During the Spring of 2007, the Undergraduate Residential Life Committee (URLC) agreed to allow Wesleyan students who live in residences with card access, to request access for their building be given to students who live in a different residence. Each resident can request access for a maximum of three students...

I guess now you'll get to see who your three real friends are! The ResLife flier continues:

The resident accepts joint responsibility for the student who has been granted access. Additionally, the resident can revoke approval for access at any time by contacting Residential Life.

I guess now you'll also get to see who your enemies are!

Freshmanities #2

Peter Hull '10 Alerted me to this hilarious section of this week's First Year Matters newsletter that we freshman find in our inboxes every week.

Foiling Facebook Frenzy
"Do you spend hours at a time browsing through the photo albums of your friends' friends? Are you disappointed when you check your email to find out that no one has messaged your Facebook account? Do you look up people's screennames just to check their away messages? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have a problem with Facebook frenzy.

Here are some tips from ResLife staff members to foil Facebook frenzy:

* Give a friend control over your Facebook password so that you can only sign on if that friend lets you. Make a pact with the friend to allow you access to Facebook only for a certain amount of time per day.
* Limit the time you spend on Facebook to less than half an hour per day. Place a sticky on your computer that says "NO" to remind yourself not to login to Facebook.
* Logout!


Poking (and being poked) is fun, but Facebook "friends" aren't half as fun as real friends."

I hope next week they tell me how to stop reading the ACB.

RA info sessions

These aren't mandatory for RA applicants, but they are certainly helpful if you have any questions or would like to hear first-hand what it's like to be an RA. I'd recommend it if you're applying or not sure about whether you want to apply. You can attend any of these sessions, regardless of whether you live in the building. If you're really ambitious, you can attend all of them...but that might be a little obsessive.

Be an RA and pose awkwardly for pictures!

Date: Tuesday, January 30th
Time: 7PM
Venue: Clark Lounge

Date: Tuesday, January 30th
Time: 8PM
Venue: Hi-Rise Lounge

Date: Wednesday, January 31st
Time: 7PM
Venue: Hewitt 9 Lounge

Date: Thursday, February 1st
Time: 7PM
Venue: Butterfield B Lounge

So you think you can dance?

Well, unfortunately, dancing probably won't help you become an RA. However, applying for the job might...

The RA application is now available online here. For new applicants, it is due by February 8, 2007 at 4PM. If you'd like to be a house manager for program housing, make sure to read the details on the site because the process for applying is different!

Don't want to be homeless next fall? *

Okay, so I know room selection seems like it's AGES from now, but I figured I'd give a short update on some of the changes for the upcoming year. I think these were briefly discussed in the Argus last semester...I apologize if this is boring or redundant.

In the past, every class year (aside from new students) has been given the opportunity to form groups of 1-6 people to enter into the housing lottery. This year, things are different...

• Class of '08 (rising seniors): May create housing groups of 1-6 people.
• Class of '09 (rising juniors): May create groups of 1-4 people.
  
• Class of '10 (rising sophomores): May create groups of 1-2 people.
  

This may seem strange at first glance, but the Undergraduate Residential Life Committee (URLC) came to this decision after analyzing the availability of class-appropriate housing for each class year. In reality, there is no housing unit that is made specifically for 6 sophomores. Therefore, it creates the unrealistic expectation that 6 people will definitely be living together. The hopes are that this will eliminate the great amount of frustration associated with the housing lottery.

The consequences are that all you '10ers need to find one really good friend...OR YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. GASP!

* This post will be of no aid to the class of '07 in avoiding homelessness. Especially if you're an art or philosophy major. Sorry.