Structural damage to houses prompted the announcement

Maddi O’Neill
Editor in Chief

Administrators announced Monday that students are prohibited from using any campus house or apartment to host events due to safety concerns, adding to ongoing student questions about the availability of party spaces.

In a memo signed by Director of Residence Life Nathan Fein, Director of Security and Protective Services Steven Glick and Associate Vice President of Facilities Management and Development Doug Laditka, the three announced that the results of a structural analysis found that many of the campus houses were in need of significant repairs.

The memo stated, “until further notice, no events or social gatherings are permitted in the small houses. Strict adherence to the posted occupancy limits is necessary in order to make sure we are keeping our community safe.”

Fein explained that the term “small houses” refers to all campus houses and apartments but that those spaces are still safe and livable so long as occupancy requirements are not exceeded.

“No one is being moved now,” he said. “It’s not that the spaces are not livable. If they’re used as a regular house, they’ll be fine.”

The memo stated that “Security and Protective Services staff have been instructed to interrupt any events and disperse those in attendance if there appears to be a violation of occupancy.”

The structural analysis of campus houses, which was undertaken with the help of a structural engineer, was prompted by an event last semester in which Scot Cottage suffered significant damage, Fein said. The residents of Lewis House were also recently moved into temporary housing arrangements after the floor of their house sagged.

The memo to students stated, “In two incidents, specifically, significant damage to the houses was sustained from the number of students in attendance, which necessitated the relocation of occupants to other residential facilities while repairs on the houses were completed.”

The memo included the fact that other spaces for events remain available, including Douglass Hall’s basement, Bissman Hall’s party lounge, and the multipurpose room in Gault Schoolhouse.

Assistant Director of Student Activities Julia Zimmer said the memo applies not just to parties, but also to events where no alcohol is served.

“Programs like Common Grounds cannot be open and have their events in Gable House,” Zimmer said.

Marjorie Zeager ’17, who coordinates programming at Common Grounds, said the new rule will substantially impact the organization’s day-to-day operation.

“Any day that we are open for business counts as an event, so Common Grounds officially holds six events per week, as we are usually open Monday through Saturday,” Zeager said. “This means that we have to remain closed until the structural repairs are finished.”

Zeager said Common Grounds has moved many of its events to Compton Hall in the meantime.

Fein stressed that the new prohibition was not meant to target parties.

“This isn’t about addressing issues around drinking as much as it’s about safety,” he said. “We have been very lucky with the two incidents that happened. We don’t want to push our luck further.”

In response to student concerns about party spaces, Fein said, “There has never been a weekend where there’s been so much demand … we’ve had to deny a party.”

Fein said there is a list of houses to be prioritized for repairs.

According to the memo, once all repairs have been completed the size and type of events permissible in small houses will be readdressed.