09-20-06

Residence Life Commission Report

Good evening everyone.  Residence Life has continued to remain rather active this past week.  We are slowly, but surely, making progress on the situation involving the increased cost of laundry at the University.  Senators Golby, Finical, and Smith have finished gathering information about the costs of laundry at other institutions across the country.  In almost all instances, we are the highest per-load.  We are still, unfortunately, unable to reach anyone in Facilities Management with information as to why the price was increased, and I’m hesitant to put forward a resolution without giving them the opportunity to present their case. 

In other news, Senators Finical and Smith are working on setting up Halloween Info. sessions on each of the greens.  Our tentative date is Monday, October 23 at 9:00 pm.  We also had a brainstorming session on the Guest/Visitation Policies here at Ohio University.  Director Piercy brought to our attention that there were some inconsistencies in some documents regarding the policy and the one which is on the books was written in 1986 and may be slightly outdated.  She and Dr. Smith have charged Student Senate, tRAC, and the RJSC to review the policy and make a recommendation.  We will be holding a brainstorming session/resolution writing workshop this Sunday at 7 pm in the Senate office for all those interested in attending.  Yes, we will actually be meeting this time. 

In other news, Jenny Hall-Jones, the East Green Director, e-mailed me the other day and asked if Senate thought that the new residence hall on South Green should have a special designation.  They are currently planning on attaching an “upper-class” label to it.  She was wondering if this was sufficient or if it should be open to all students. 

Finally, there is a change in the RA selection process.  Instead of going through the old, write an essay, get two recommendations, then take a class format, they will be switching things up a bit.  The new process will include a day of group workshops (which you will receive a grade on), interviews (also graded) and then you will be placed into the pool of available RA’s and potentially be hired.  Once hired, you would then take the Para/prof. training course, for which you will then receive a grade. 

In addition, I had a meeting with Kevin Yurasik to discuss the “No Frills” Conference which tRAC is hosting here this February.  They’re in search of volunteers to help with registration.  I told them that once it got closer I’d remind you all, but that’s just an FYI.

END OF REPORT

Chris Diehl