Purdue News

June 9, 1999 Purdue puts 2 cooperative houses on probation WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has placed two cooperative houses on probation for co-sponsoring a pledge function at which alcohol was made available to and consumed by minors. Circle Pines Cooperative, 225 S. Grant St., a men's living unit, will be on probation through May 2000. The probationary period for Ann Tweedale Cooperative, 40 N. Salisbury St., a women's living unit, will extend through December 1999. Both probations begin immediately, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students for student activities and organizations. The disciplinary action was prompted by an April 16 social function at the Circle Pines Cooperative that was attended by residents of Ann Tweedale. Malavenda said beer and alcoholic punch were served to minors in violation of university policy. Because Circle Pines had been issued a written warning for a previous violation, its probationary period is longer. "Both houses were extremely cooperative in this matter and recognized that they had made a mistake," Malavenda said. While on probation, both cooperatives will continue to be recognized as student organizations, but they will not be "in good standing." That means they may not use university facilities for any event or activity on behalf of the organization, including meeting rooms, and may not participate in intramural athletics or campus activities such as Grand Prix and Homecoming. During the probationary period, the cooperatives may not schedule any events requiring university approval and must allow the Office of the Dean of Students access to all cooperative house programs at the staff's discretion. Malavenda said both cooperatives may petition for full status following the completion of probation. "The cooperative housing system is in the midst of a significant restructuring that was initiated by the student residents earlier this year," Malavenda said. "All of the houses are placing more emphasis on academics and community service, and we realize that some organizations will have bigger adjustments to make than others." Last fall, Purdue suspended two cooperative houses for hazing and withdrew recognition of another because of alcohol violations. Those incidents prompted house officers and advisers to create a student review committee to look into ways of improving the cooperative system. "The university does not target cooperative houses for scrutiny, but we are interested in encouraging these organizations to be good citizens," Malavenda said. "The Office of the Dean of Students will continue to work with all cooperative houses on campus to assist them in providing safe and healthy places for students to live." There are 12 cooperative houses on Purdue's West Lafayette campus, five for men and seven for women. The residential units are operated by the students, who contribute four to six hours of work each week to offset part of their housing cost. Source: Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu Writer: Sharon Bowker, (765) 494-2077, sharon_bowker@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page