Ball State University residence hall directors have begun to crack down on the enforcement of a policy banning university organizations from holding meetings in hall lobbies.
"We have had a lot of complaints from residents," Catherine Bickel, associate director of Housing and Residence Life, said. "And so because of that, we wanted to really enforce this policy. If organizations and groups could meet, they would take over lobbies that the residence hall students pay for but could not use."
According to residence hall policy, residence hall lobbies and lounges are reserved for residence hall students' use only, and university organizations may not reserve or meet in any residence hall lobby or lounge. Residents of a residence hall also may not reserve or meet in their hall lobby or lounge for the specific purpose that supports a university organization.
Organizations and groups are not allowed to meet within the residence halls because residents would not be able to watch television, play pool or other games and would not have the resource of a quiet place to study homework or talk with friends, Bickel said.
"Students can get together in individual rooms or study lounges and participate in study groups but as for organizations and groups, lobbies are strictly prohibited," Bickel said. "The only way for an organization or group to meet would be to reserve a location at the Student Center, Bracken Library or some place like that."
Matthew Riegsecker, a sophomore in Clevenger Hall and member of the Communication Activities Board, said the past couple of years the hall directors had been pretty relaxed on the rules of groups meeting in the lobbies, but this year they have really cracked down, so now he and about 20 other people have to meet in a dorm room for Bible study.
He said if the lobbies were an open place for people to hang out, groups and organizations should have the ability to be there as well.
"As long as group members are respectful and people do not complain, I do not see why it matters who meets in the lobbies," Riegsecker said.
Joselyn Sands, a resident of Knotts Hall and a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, said her group got in a little bit of trouble at the beginning of the school year because members posted flyers without being stamped and approved by the residence hall director.
Policy designates that all lobby and lounge programs or meetings must be sponsored by Housing and Residence Life staff - resident assistants, multicultural advisors, Freshmen Connection assistants - or hall council-sponsored activities that are supervised and operated by Housing and Residence Life employees or hall council members. These meetings must be requested and approved by the residence hall director.
"If it is an organization that is broken into small enough groups with 20 people or less or the group reaches out to people within that particular hall, I do not see why they cannot be allowed to meet where they live," Sands said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
