Policies

Housing & Dining Committee

Purpose & Scope

The Committee shall set policy in the following areas: housing allocations, sex designation of housing units, program dorm designations, eligibility for town room and board releases, the opening or closing of housing or dining facilities, and other related concerns as assigned by the President of the College or the Dean of Student Life and Services.

The Committee shall act in an advisory capacity in the following areas: contracts for food services, housing renovation, and housekeeping rules.

All Committee decisions will be made with regard to the budget as set forth by the Trustees. Actions of the Committee which have budgetary implications may be overruled by College officers with by-law responsibility for the budget.

The Committee shall also work with the housing and dining subcommittee of the Student Life Committee in developing and implementing housing and dining programs designed to enhance the quality of student life.

Decisions with respect to Language and Special Interest houses may not be made without involving the appropriate faculty departments, programs or committees.

Current Members 2007-08

Staff Members:
  • Ehrai Adams (Chairman) - Housing & Dining Communication Coordinator
  • Kyle Griffith - RD
  • Brayton Fields - Assistant Dean of Students / Assistant Director
  • Michele Gross - Director of ResEd and Dining Services
Student Members:
  • Tevi Abrams-Slep - Continuing
  • Patrice Askew-Walker - Student Union Representative
  • Ian Hilburger - Senate Representative
  • Gabriele Johnson - VA
  • Marc Shinn-Krantz - Continuing
  • Johanna Valente - OSCA President
  • Shea Winsett - RA
  • Francis Zlotnick - Continuing

Meeting Times 2007-08

All meetings of the Committee shall be open to the College Community. The Committee may call executive sessions for discussion, or to vote on an issue.

The Housing & Dining Committee meets every other Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in Wilder 215. The meeting dates are as follows:

  • September 18th
  • October 2nd
  • October 16th
  • November 6th
  • November 20th
  • February 12th
  • February 26th
  • March 11th
  • April 1st
  • April 15th
  • April 29th

Membership

The Committee shall be composed of an equal number of students and administrators, the total number to be not less than six nor more than ten. This number may be increased to include appointed members of the Dining Sub-committee and/or the Housing Sub-committee on proposals brought forward from their respective committees. A student member of the Board of Trustees of OSCA shall be included among the student members. One student member shall also be a member of and liaison with the Student Life Committee. All administrators and the Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of the College. All students, with exception of the OSCA representative, shall be appointed by the Student Appointments Committee. Appointments shall be made so that representation on the Committee is as broadly based as possible with respect to gender, race, and living situation.

Length of Term: All appointments of students to the Committee by S.A.C. shall be for a period of four consecutive semesters, unless they leave Oberlin College during that term. The O.S.C.A. representative shall be appointed for a one-year term. Vacancies created by students, who leave Oberlin either temporarily or permanently, will be filled immediately by alternates selected by S.A.C. to complete the unexpired portion of the term(s), or the time period the person is away.

Officers

The officers shall consist of a chairperson who calls meetings and sets the agenda, a minute's taker and a meeting facilitator. The positions of meeting facilitator and minutes taker may be rotated among the membership. These three positions need not be held by different persons.

Quorum

Any number of members gathered at the appointed place and time may conduct the business of the Committee. Absence of members for whatever reason, including summer vacation, shall not be a bar to the transaction of normal administrative work. Neither shall the failure of the Student Appointments Committee to fill vacant student seats be cause to delay decisions of any normal procedures.

Decision Making & Presentation

Each member of the Committee, including the chair, shall have one vote.

All proposals shall be submitted in writing to the Chairperson at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at which the proposal is to be considered.

All proposals shall require two readings before taking effect. The readings shall be separated by a period of no less than one week. Proposals shall be publicized campus-wide before decisions are made on major issues. Concerned student groups shall be consulted before final decisions are made.

A proposal may be passed as an urgent measure at any time. The declaration of urgency shall be made as a separate motion requiring a 2/3 majority of those present and voting for passage.

All other decisions of the Committee shall be made by simple majority vote.

Order of Business

The Committee shall conduct meetings in accordance with rules of order adopted at the first meeting each fall. The standing order of business shall include new and old business and status reports.

Appeal Board

The Appeal Board shall consist of all members of the Housing and Dining Committee except the Assistant Director of Residential Education and Dining Services for Housing Administration.

Any number of members gathered at the appointed place and time may constitute a quorum and conduct the business of the Appeal Board.

Students who have requested exception to policy and have had this request denied by the Assistant Director of Residential Education and Dining Services for Housing Administration may appeal the decision to the Appeal Board of the Housing and Dining Committee. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Board in care of Residential Education and Dining Services. The Appeal Board will be furnished the studentÕs original request for exception and the DirectorÕs letter of denial. The student may request that their name remain confidential from members of the Appeal Board. A final decision on the Appeal will be rendered within 30 days of receipt of the appeal or, if the appeal is received after December 1 or May 1, 30 days after the beginning of the next semester.