Purdue News

April 29, 1999 Purdue co-ops approve changing focus, liability WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The residents of Purdue University cooperative houses voted overwhelmingly Wednesday (4/28) for a restructuring that will limit group liability and emphasize academics and community service, while continuing the tradition of lower cost student housing. The students voted in favor of a resolution to implement standards of conduct for cooperative housing members and eventually create a new governing body for the cooperative system. The current system came under review following the closure of Rochdale (ROSH-dale) Cooperative and the suspension of two other houses this fall for alcohol and hazing violations. "Students knew there needed to be a change," said Steve Huffman, chairman of the student review committee. "We didn't like what happened last semester with one co-op house closed and two others put on suspension. We realized it was time we stepped up and took control. We need to be responsible for our actions. It is an opportunity to turn a bad situation into a great opportunity." At the start of the spring semester, house presidents, alumni and advisers asked university officials to work with them to develop ideas on improving the cooperative housing system. Student representatives from the cooperative houses spent four months evaluating the present organization and writing the restructuring report. Under the present system, the Purdue Cooperative Housing Association owns nine member houses. Two affiliate members own their houses, and a third leases the building. Under the new system, each housing unit will form a not-for-profit corporation that will own its individual house. Before a deed will be turned over to a housing unit, the membership will have to meet new requirements on academics, leadership and service, pledge and social activities, and alcohol use. The changeover will begin this fall and be phased in over the next few years. Cooperative houses have between 24 and 53 members each, and the members share responsibilities such as cleaning and preparing meals to maintain a comfortable living environment. Each member spends between three and five hours a week on such house duties. Because the members do chores and upkeep, the cost is often less than other group living arrangements. A new governing body appointed by the houses' presidents will oversee and coordinate activities of the entire cooperative housing system. A president and three vice presidents will lead the organization. Other executives of the governing body will oversee risk management, scholarship, new-member development, cooperative relations, marketing, service, leadership development and participation in student government. New academic requirements will be applied to active and associate members of each house. Several houses have programs to promote scholarship, but the new plan will provide uniform goals for the cooperative system. In addition to the academic requirements, the cooperative housing system could provide scholarship support up to $10,000 annually. New-member development programs will follow university regulations regarding hazing and will be based on written plans submitted to the cooperative housing executive board. Pledgeship will be limited to eight weeks; most cooperative houses now have semester-long pledgeships. No alcohol will be allowed during the pledgeship, and no pledgeship activities can be conducted between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. All cooperative houses will participate in community service projects. Pledge classes will be expected to plan and complete a community service project. Each housing unit also will be expected to conduct two philanthropic activities each year and to participate in a systemwide project. Social activities and alcohol availability at the cooperative houses will be regulated. Functions will be registered with the housing association at least a week before the event, including guest lists with birth dates. If more than two-thirds of the expected guests were under age 21, no alcohol can be served. All functions will allow guests age 21 or older to bring alcohol for their own consumption. The host house will be expected to staff the entrances and the beverage distribution point and to provide designated drivers. Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students, said the proposal borrows ideas from the Greek social policies, but has been adjusted to fit Purdue's cooperative houses. "The students haven't hesitated to talk with the fraternity and sorority leaders to find out what works for them," Malavenda said. "Our cooperative system remains unique, with the house members doing all the work and upkeep on the facilities." Huffman said the students think the changes will improve the system. "This is going to be the most positive living group on campus, and we hope the finest cooperative campus living system in the country," he said. "We are proud of the new standards we have set for ourselves." Sources: Steve Huffman, (765) 463-1916 Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232; pablo@purdue.edu Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; mike_willis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page