Campus Council began preliminary discussions on revising the University's policy on common room damage. Current school policy charges affiliated students for damages to common areas in their sections. Damages incurred on independent common rooms are absorbed by Resident Life and Housing Services.
The group is considering a new policy that would involve charging students a flat rate to cover the damages, either by dormitory or as an entire student body.
Many members expressed that students should not have to pay for others' reckless behavior even if the fee is minimal. Others said they hope that a small fee would provide an incentive for students to refrain from intensionally damaging their living spaces and encourage a sense of moral responsibility. In addition, the fee would reduce the financial burden on RLHS's budget.
"When there's excessive damages, that takes away from the ability to improve a residential space," said Executive Vice President Alex Reese, a sophomore.
Council members also voted to endorse a memo Thursday supporting new projects for East Campus that aim to better utilize quadrangle areas and build community among backyard residents.
Although the memo on projects on East has already been endorsed by East Campus Council, group members debated the merits of constructing a barbeque pit and patio area in the backyard lawn.
Facilities and Services Chair Johnathan Pryor, a sophomore, said administrators have been discussing ways in which they can better use the backyard area for the past eight years but are too focused on having the "perfect plan."
"A perfect plan will be 10 more years in the making," Pryor said. "We want to demonstrate to the University that we are serious about this and it's worth doing now."
Pryor said the backyard quad was currently an unusable plot of land during rainy weather. The construction of the barbeque pit and patio would help make the quad more functional as well as bring together the backyard community, he said.
Some members of the council expressed their concerns about whether there was a need to modify the quad, which is often used for tanning, playing Frisbee and studying.
"I question whether that area is entirely unusable," said junior Charlie DePietro, Few Quadrangle representative. "Rain stopping someone from tanning isn't a good enough reason for me. There has to be another place on campus that can be used to make community."
Another concern raised during the meeting was the barbeque's prominence on the quad and how it might conflict with other use of the area.
"I think our job is to represent student interests," said sophomore Cassie Averbuch, Kilgo Quadrangle representative. "Our job is to bring attention to the materials used and where it is going to be located."
Though Campus Council members will not have control over the location or size of the barbeque pit area, they would be able to send administrators amendments after the proposal is approved, Pryor said.
In other business:
Campus Council has allocated $950 to a Duke Student Government gardening event on East Campus scheduled for April 21. At a DSG meeting March 18, President Jordan Giordano vetoed legislation to fund "East Campus Gardening Day."
Campus Council members also decided to buy chairs and patioware for the Gilbert-Addoms Patio. East Campus Council President Betsy Klein, a freshman, said she hopes the improvements will allow the largest dorm on campus to become a more close-knit community.
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