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ROC Awaiting Housing Appeal

Campus has been buzzing. Has Rollins Outdoor Club (ROC) really lost housing for next year? Can a new organization gain housing if ROC gets kicked out?

ROC did lose housing following its annual review due to failing to meet expectations that were set for it when it was placed on probation last spring. The organization did fi le an appeal to keep its current housing on Feb. 3, but a decision on the appeal has not yet been reached. The president of ROC, Riley Schlub ‘11, neglected to give comment on the subject.

Leon Hater, director of Residential Life, would not provide specific reasons why ROC’s housing was not renewed, but mentioned that many houses are put on probation or lose housing because of lack of house occupancy, alcohol violations by members, vandalism, and/or poor organizational functioning.

Of the 12 residential organizations on campus, four have been placed on probation following their annual review, including X Club and Pinehurst. Two groups, TKE and NCM, were taken off probation. They exceeded expectations that were outlined for them in spring 2010 and worked closely with Residential Life and Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) to make the necessary improvements.

Just because an organization is on probation, does not mean that it will lose housing. According to Ingrid McLennan, Associate Director of Residential Life, “many organizations go through ups and downs. Our belief, and past experiences show, that most groups that go on probation do the work necessary to strengthen their organization and return to good housing standing.”

Every year, all residential organizations go through an annual review called the Community Commitments Review. The expectations of each group are outlined to the leadership and are based on the expectations of the college as well as those of the national fraternity and sorority groups’ expectations. All leaders go through a day long training outlining the process.

FSL and Residential Life work closely with all groups throughout the year by having weekly meetings and setting common goals. A committee of faculty and staff reviews the groups and makes recommendations regarding the status of each group. Groups may either be returned to good standing or lose the privilege of having a house based on whether they met the expectations.

William Boles, chair of the Student Life Committee and professor of English, stated that “the institution of the review process, which is three years old now, I believe, is not meant to be a punitive device against the ROs. It was created to provide guidance and assistance to all our ROs to ensure that they create communities that succeed and represent the college well academically as well as socially. It is a process to make Rollins better.”

There will be a call for interest in group housing whether or not ROC is removed from Lyman. The Community Commitments Review Committee will reach a decision on ROC’s appeal by Friday, Feb. 11.

If space is available in a small house, options to be housed in a wing or on a floor may be available for interested groups next year.

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