Residence Life Commission Report

10 January 2007

Greetings and salutations.  I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing break and are as excited as I am to be back at OU.  The Residence Life Commission held its first meeting of the quarter last night and we’re picking up right where we left off.  Senator Kostiha is working with our interns, Catie and Jen, on formulating a dining hall petition regarding the hours of Jefferson Dining Hall and the subsequent overcrowding resulting from its weekend closure.  Senators Golby and Noble are working on gathering feedback and data regarding possible changes to the smoking policy.  Senator Golby has a meeting tomorrow afternoon with Terry Koons of H.E.W. to discuss his thoughts on the matter.  Senator Finical is getting in touch with Malcolm Smith, Dir. of Judiciaries, as well as Dr. Jeanne Heaton, Dir. Counseling and Psychological Services and Charlene Kopchick, Dir. H.E.W. to arrange a time when the three of them can give a presentation to Senate regarding the effectiveness of the new alcohol response policy and the two diversion programs (Prime for Life and BASICS).  I have spent the majority of the past week tracking down some of the projects we were working on at the end of last quarter and checking on their status.  Currently, the Guest Registration / Visitation Policies which we proposed are before Senior Res. Life Staff for review and comment, as is the new Substance Free Living Agreement.  Once that process is complete, I hope to have a copy of the Subs. Free agreement to bring before Senate in resolution format for approval.  I’ve also heard back from Bev Wyatt regarding the status of the Upper Class Housing Policy which Senator Smith and I worked on last quarter.  It is currently awaiting V.P. Decatur’s approval and once that is given, Director Wyatt will forward me the final draft which we also plan to put before Senate in resolution format. 

Senator Smith and I are also in the process of gathering student feedback and reaction to the news of the new Halloween guest charge.  We hope to be putting together a resolution on that in the near future as well.  If you’d like to help, or if you’d care to add your two cents, please let either of us know asap. 

Finally, Commissioners Robbins, Roder and I will be holding a lighting walk on Sunday, Jan. 21.  You’ll have to get the details from them.

END OF REPORT