NEWS
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011
Page 3
New DCGA commission looks into changes in social culture polBy Jeff Danziger Special to The Denisonian
Students often complain about early quiet hours, intrusive security personnel, and overly strict student conduct rules. However, a new DCGA-led commission hopes to build momentum to change that. The commission, formally named the Commission on Social Culture, is seeking to finalize a policy recommendation based on 2 months of research to drive future discussions concerning improving certain aspects of the Denison social experience. In September, DCGA President Rob Moore, a senior from Bexley, Ohio, charged the commission, with fulfilling a two-part mission during the first 10 weeks of this semester. The commission is currently investigating Denison’s policy in comparison with those of other schools in five areas pertaining to social culture: quiet hours, open containers, kegs, event registration, and social spaces. Later this month, the commission will then give a report and presentation before the DCGA Senate offering their recommendations for a resolution concerning Denison’s existing social culture policies. The committee, which is composed of sophomores, juniors and seniors, has roughly equal representation of students under and over the age of 21. Members of Greek letter organizations have a strong presence, representing approximately 50% of commission membership. According to commission leaders, the commission also made a particular effort to include nonDCGA members, including student staff of the Community Rights and Standards Board and Residential Education and Housing in order to tap their first-hand knowledge of Denison’s social policies. According to commission chair Hannah Frank, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, most of the Commission’s work thus far has centered on comparing Denison’s policies as well as those of other schools, including DePauw University, Amherst College, College of Wooster, Dickinson College and
Quiet Hours (Week/Weekend)
Kegs
Party Registration System
Drinking Games
Open Containers
Allegheny
No
Yes (Form and planning meeting; Prohibited (Except 48 hrs w/ Res life for indoor, SAO third-party vendor) for outdoor)
Prohibited
Prohibited
Amherst
No (first-years establish w/ roommate)
Permitted (w/ Yes ("Notification" form, planning license from town meeting recommended, 5 days police dept.) notice)
Permitted
Prohibited by state law, no mention in student handbook
Centre
10pm (n/a to fraternity houses)
Prohibited
Yes (Student Life Office)
Prohibited
Prohibited by state law, no mention in student handbook
Davidson
12am/2am
Prohibited
Yes (Online form, only in collegeowned apartments)
Prohibited
Prohibited
Denison
11pm/1am
Prohibited
No
Prohibited
Prohibited
DePauw
11pm/1am
Prohibited
Yes (Online form, by Wed. before event)
Prohibited
Prohibited
Dickinson
10pm/12am
Prohibited (unless Yes specifically authorized)
Prohibited
Not prohibited by state law, no mention in student handbook
Kenyon
12am/2am
Permitted (up to 2 Yes (Three types; form, by Tues. kegs/ registered before event) event)
Permitted
Prohibited by state law, no mention in student handbook
Lafayette
10pm/12am
Prohibited
Yes (Form; 10 days in advance for Greek orgs)
Prohibited
Prohibited
Oberlin
11pm/12am (n/a to co-ops)
Prohibited
Yes (appointment w/ party planner; 3 days in advance)
Permitted
Prohibited
OWU
1pm/1am
Prohibited (unless Yes (Form to SAO and Security; specifically 10 days in advance) authorized)
St. Lawrence
1pm/1am (only Prohibited (Except Yes (Form to SAO; 5 days in enforced in first-year third-party vendor) advance) dorms)
Wooster
11pm/1am
Prohibited (unless Yes (Form "Large Event specifically Contract") authorized)
Davidson College. As shown in the table above, Denison’s social culture policies are among the most restrictive in the sample group of colleges; for example, it is the only one without a party registration system. However, comparing policies between colleges has presented the commission with some difficulties. Frank said that one major challenge of the commission’s work has been, “comparing policies with their implementations and context. [Campus] culture matters. Perceptions of policies and their enforcers make a difference.” She also cautioned against reading too much into policies on other campuses, saying that policies vary significantly in how
"strongly discouraged" Permitted within common spaces
Prohibited
Permitted within some common spaces
Prohibited
Prohibited by state law, no mention in student handbook
they are enforced, and that policies that have been successful at other colleges may not be so successful at Denison. As of press time, the commission is working on solidifying its recommendations ahead of its presentation November 1st. Although the commission would not explicitly disclose their current platform, they would reveal the components of their decision-making process. The aim of the Commission is to craft a recommendation that can later be used in the development of a resolution on campus policy, which could prompt an administrative policy change based on the recommendation’s research. According to commission member
Charlie Severson, a sophomore from Granville, Ohio the primary near-term objective driving the committee’s recommendations is to, “create a safer environment for those that choose to attend parties at Denison.” Frank added, “It’s also important to remember that the ultimate goals of the Commission’s work is to “further develop mutual trust and understanding between administration and students and nurture a healthier relationship between students and security.” This presentation to Student Senate is currently scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th, at 6:30 p.m. and is open to all Denison students.
Picture Books for Children in Rural Ghana My name is Ariel Guinn, and I spent last semester studying arts and culture in Ghana (through SIT). During my four month trip my pre-existing ideas of women, children, education, work, religion, and culture were shattered. I lived in 6 of the country’s 10 regions, had the privilege of teaching in a rural school, and the immense honor of studying dance for a month and performing with a Traditionalist African youth brigade. Despite everything I thought I knew about Ghana, or West Africa in general, and everything I thought the peoples of Ghana might need from an American, I discovered that my ideas were entirely wrong. Across all six regions the one request from the children was not shoes or clothes or pencils, it was picture books. The national language and school language of Ghana is English, but the native/ in-the-home language is very rarely English. Children’s picture books will allow young students more exposure to seeing written English as well as hearing it at home, and will help their mothers in the same way. If a child can pass “Form Three,” our American equivalent of middle school, they can go on to an apprenticeship and have a great shot at financial stability. I am collecting used children’s picture books (from birth through about age ten) that would aid in student’s increased vo-
cabulary and understanding of phrases. If you have children who are now too old for some of their books, these are perfect for donating. If you’re a student and have some of your old books at home you can bring them back after Thanksgiving Break to be sent over. Shipping rates are around $100 for a 15 pound box, and $150 for a 25 pound box, so at this shipping rate 1 lb costs between $6 and $6.50. If you could donate any money towards shipping for the next boxes (or even sponsor a box!) it would be very much appreciated! Checks can be made
out to Ariel Guinn or to the John W. Alford Center for Service Learning: Picture Books for Ghana. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me: guinn_a@denison.edu. I’m more than happy to pick up books from dorms or department offices. There is also a drop-off box for books in the Modern Languages department. (If by chance you have children’s books in French or German, two of the locations the books will go to can use these as well!) Visit our Facebook page: http://www. facebook.com/PictureBooksForGhana
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