8.3.GDepending on the severity of the harassment, subject to the Conflict Resolution Team, the alleged harasser is to be given a period of time to adjust their behavior. The time is to be determined by the parties that attend the meetings that are discussed above.
- 8.3.H If the alleged harasser adjusts their behavior in the allotted time, with the satisfaction of the alleged victim, then the case is closed but the documentation is to remain on file.
- 8.4 If the alleged harasser does not adjust their behavior in the allotted time, according to the alleged victim, then the alleged victim may utilize one or more of the next three options.
- 8.4.A The alleged victim may bring the alleged harassment to the Conflict Resolution Team and have a meeting, including the Conflict Resolution Team, alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator.
- 8.4.B The alleged victim may approach the alleged harasser and discuss the problem.
- 8.4.C The alleged victim and the alleged harasser are to agree on a mediator to facilitate a meeting between the alleged victim and the alleged harasser.
- 8.5 After the second mediation, the action of the alleged harasser is documented again with the Membership Officer. This documentation is to be confidential and only the Membership Officer has access to the files. This person will permit access to this documentation to the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator and the Conflict Resolution Team.
- 8.6 After the second allegation, or a first allegation determined to be severe, a Conflict Resolution meeting must be held within one week with either the SHC VP of Membership or SHC VP of Education present.
- 8.7 Both the accuser and the alleged accused have the option to appeal to the SHC Membership Committee.
- 8.8 Sanctions against the alleged harasser will be either fines or eviction, taking into consideration the outcome of the Conflict Resolution Team meeting with the SHC Officer, or the SHC Membership Committee meeting.
- 8.9 Consent is a must. Consent is defined as permission for something to happen or agreement to do something. Consent must be given as a verbal, clear, and enthusiastic yes by all parties involved, given they are in a fair position to do so. Fair is defined as being able minded to make the decision and without pressure or influence to do so. Consent can be revoked or adjusted at anytime by anyone involved.
- 8.10 The House has a blocklist managed by the Conflict Resolution Officers. The blocklist is for persons who have been identified as violators to the House Constitution or someone’s personal safety and comfort. In order for someone to be blocklisted it must be brought to a house vote, UNLESS the person has committed a severe offense, including but not limited to sexual assault, harassment, bullying, and battery.
- 8.10.A The housemate that believes this person should be banned is to go to the conflict resolution team and all will sign the Blocklist Confidentiality Agreement if they want to remain anonymous. If a housemate does not feel comfortable, they can send a proxy in their place.
- 8.10.B If the Conflict Resolution Team does not feel like the situation is severe, they can divert the person bringing it up at a house vote.
- 8.10.C Once someone is banned through the Conflict Resolution Team, they will announce in “Announcements” section of the following meeting that “The Conflict Resolution Committee has decided that [person] is blocklisted from the Haus of Orion for [pre-determined reason between all parties involved]“.
- 8.10.D Once banned, they, their photo, and a brief yet clear reason is added to the Blocklist Document.
====Article 9: Guest Policy====
- 9.1 Per the SHC Code of Operations, no person may stay in the house for more than 31 days as a guest. With house approval, the guest may become a member and sign a contract, if space is available, or if the host is willing to turn their single into a double, or their double into a triple (with the permission of the original roommate) in order to accommodate the new member.
====Article 10: Pet Policy====
- 10.1 We declare ourselves an animal friendly house. By choosing to live in this house, you are agreeing to possibly live with any approved animals. The purpose of the Pet Policy is to allow members to keep uncaged animals while protecting the health and safety of members, and the physical condition of the house. Dogs that are not ESAs are not allowed in Orion because they are apt to cause extensive damage to the house, and pose a liability in the case of bites. Pet owners must submit a Pet Agreement so the SHC is aware of all pets living in the house and has assurance that every pet has been properly vaccinated. The barriers to submitting a Pet Agreement are low, thus any member that does not register its pets is subject to a harsh penalty by the SHC.
- 10.2 The term “pet” refers to all cats and other uncaged animals. Dogs are not allowed unless they are an ESA, except for visits. Any visiting pet needs to be approved in an appropriate vote, that specifies the length of stay and which housemate is responsible for the pet’s care.
- 10.3 Orion shall not house more than one pet per every seven assessments, however, with a three-fourths majority vote of house members supporting them, an appeal can be made to the Vice President of Membership and the Membership Committee to have one additional pet over the limit.
- 10.4 All pets must be registered with a single pet owner.
- 10.5 Each pet is subject to re-approval at the first house meeting of each semester.
- 10.5.A In the event that a pet moves in following the initial meeting they shall receive a two week trial period prior to being subject to approval at the next regular House meeting.
- 10.5.B Re-approval is valid until the beginning of the next semester. The house cannot require the pet owner to remove the pet from the House until then.
- 10.5.C If exceptional circumstances exist (e.g., the pet is damaging the house), the members may petition the Facilities Office to hold a re-approval vote before the next semester.
- 10.5.D If the House does not re-approve the pet, the pet owner has one month from the date of the House meeting to remove the animal from the House.
- 10.5.E If the pet poses a severe threat to the health or safety of House members, other house animals, or the physical condition of the House, the Membership Officer may require that the pet be removed before one month.
- 10.5.F If the pet owner does not remove the pet by the deadline, the owner will be fined an initial $20 and an additional $5 per week that the pet remains in the house.
- 10.5.G Refusal to remove an unapproved pet may be grounds for referral or expulsion.
- 10.6 All pet owners must submit a Pet Agreement signed by the House Membership Officer and the pet owner to the Vice President of Membership prior to the pet taking residence in the House. This Pet Agreement must specify that the pet owner is financially and otherwise responsible for any damage the pet causes to the house and that the pet owner has alternate housing plans for the pet.
- 10.7 Any member with a current outstanding balance of over $100 may not file a Pet Agreement.
- 10.8 The pet owner must provide proof to the House Membership Officer that the pet has been treated for parasites, has current vaccines and shots, or any other relevant health issues. Failure to treat the pet or provide proof of treatment may result in removal of the animal.
- 10.8.A The Membership Officer shall maintain a binder with all information provided in this clause for all pets residing within the home that can be accessed by any member upon request.
- 10.9 Any costs from damages attributed to the pet, or non compliance with removal will be the responsibility of the pet owner and will be assessed to the owner by the Finance Officer on the charge sheet.
- 10.10 If a pet breaks something and you know without reasonable doubt that it was that pet, it is the liability of the pet’s owner. Otherwise, if something in your broken in your room, it is your own liability.
====Article 11: Party Policy====
- 11.1 A house-sponsored party is defined by these five conditions: the party has a theme, the party was approved by a ¾ majority at a regular house meeting, the party is advertised, the party takes place in a communal area of the house, the party has live or amplified music.
- 11.2 All house parties must be voted on and approved at a house meeting by at least a ¾ majority, as stated in the SHC Code of Operations.
- 11.2.A A house member voting yes shall enjoy full privileges enjoyed as a host of the party as well as shared responsibility of any damages, fines, legal action, or any other negative ramifications resulting from the party.
- 11.2.B A house member voting no for the party will be expected not to participate in the party unless otherwise approved by a house vote. These members will also be exempt from any shared responsibility as described in the SHC Party Policy of the SHC Code of Operations.
- 11.2.C A house member abstaining from the vote will be exempt from any shared responsibility as described in the SHC Party Policy of the SHC Code of Operations unless they participate in the party. In the event of a dispute, the members participation will be decided with a vote at a House meeting.
- 11.3 The house members who participate in the party must also participate in the set up, clean up, and security of the party.
- 11.3.A The Chore Checker shall create a sign-up sheet in order to designate members for party set up and clean up. Members may sign up for their prefered task.
- 11.3.B The Chore Checker will also create a door duty list, keeping in mind logistics (ensuring at least one member who has previously worked door duty is in each time slot).
- 11.3.C Any participating member who does not complete their specific duty as defined by the Chore Checker shall receive a fine of $10.
- 11.4 A party is subject to being stopped or canceled at any moment due to medical, legal, or any other situations where the welfare, safety of the house or its members is at risk. A party is not subject to being stopped or canceled due to personal reasons that lie outside of the reasons listed in this section.
- 11.5 A party shall be defined as an official house gathering that is voted on by the house members and as defined in the SHC Party Policy in the SHC Code of Operations. This status requires that house members recognize and follow the specific traits and responsibilities described in this section of the house constitution as well as those of the SHC Party Policy in the SHC Code of Operations.
- 11.6 Due to legal and safety reasons, the distribution of alcohol will be BYOB (bring your own booze).
- 11.6.A If house members decide to make alcohol available (as in a keg, jungle juice, or other community sources of alcohol), the Chore Checker must designate a person or peoples to act as a “kegmaster”. The responsibility of this job will be to ensure that any person consuming the house alcohol is a member or special guest of the house and is of legal standing. The other responsibility of the kegmaster is to ensure that no one adds additional alcohol or other substances to the communal alcohol source.
- 11.6.B The house may never use budgeted house funds to buy alcohol. However, recycling money may be used to buy house kegs or booze. If sufficient recycling money is not available, it is recommended that the house not provide house alcohol for a party, until funds become available.
- 11.7 Advertisement of alcohol or controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Advertisements for parties posted in any public area are strictly prohibited. Inviting friends to a party through social networking websites is allowed as long as invitations remain private and the party is posted as a secret or invite-only event.
====Article 12: Miscellaneous====
- 12.1 Smoking of any kind is not allowed in Orion House.
- 12.2 Internet usage
- 12.3.B No member shall illegally download content using house internet.
- 12.3.C Members should be considerate in their volume of downloads, as this slows the internet for all members.
- 12.3 House Discord
- 12.3.A The house will maintain a House Discord group for the purpose of easy and instant communication with all members. It is also recommended that members join the SHC Facebook group.
- 12.3.B Administrators for the group will be the Membership Officer, Education Officer, and House Board Representative.
- 12.3.C Only current House members should be allowed in the Discord group, and a new group should be created for each contract year.
- 12.3.D Any member can post on the group about any issue, but should use discretion so as not to crowd the page with unnecessary posts.
- 12.4 Quiet Hours & Music
- 12.4.A The house will vote on quiet hours at the beginning of each semester, ensuring that quiet hours begin later during the weekends.
- 12.4.B In the week before and during finals week, more restrictive quiet hours may be enacted.
- 12.4.C A member who is in violation of quiet hours should be verbally warned by any member affected by the disturbance. After a warning, the affected member may propose a fine for the violating member to the conflict resolution team, not to exceed $10 (for the first offense).
- 12.4.D Amplified music or other programming should never be played during quiet hours, and should be kept at a reasonable volume at all other times.
- 12.5 House Library
- 12.5.A The house will maintain a bookshelf in a common area, for the free usage of all members and guests.
- 12.5.B Any member may donate books to the house library, and any member may borrow books freely. Borrowing time should not exceed one month, unless no other member wants the book.
- 12.5.C No member shall sell house books for personal profit.
- 12.5.D Orion house documents and resources will be kept in the house library.
- 12.6 Paint Policy
- 12.6.A Any painting done in common areas should be a preconceived mural of some kind. The painter must get approval from the house (majority vote at a meeting) regarding location, size, budget, and the general idea of the mural. The painter should show reasonable progress after getting house approval, and the mural should be finished by a date negotiated during the initial proposal discussion. If the membership does not like the mural after it is finished, or if a member painted something without prior house approval, it will be the job of the painter to edit or paint over the mural.
- a) If the mural is not finished by the date negotiated or the painter does not edit or paint over the mural if requested by the membership in a timely manner, sanctions shall be discussed at the next regular house meeting.
- 12.6.B Any Member who decides to paint their room in any way, will be subject to a house vote to determine whether the room needs to be repainted by that member at the end of that member’s tenure, for the sake of attractiveness and viability for future members of a particular room. The Facilities Officer will be responsible for bringing this concern before the house at a regularly scheduled house meeting no later than one month prior to the painter’s move out date.
- a) If a house decides that a room painted by its current resident should be repainted, that member shall be responsible for the labor and cost of repainting the room before that member moves out.
- b) If the room in question is not repainted by that member within two weeks of the end of that resident’s contract, that member will be considered non-compliant and $50 will be deducted from their member shares, to be given to the house for labor and materials.
- c) If a House decides that a room be repainted and the current resident does not comply, the Facilities Officer will be responsible for ensuring the repainting the room before the new resident moves. This can include, but is not limited to: repainting the room on their own; the temporary use/hiring of SHC salaried staff and preferred SHC subcontractors; and the delegation of work to a member needing to fulfill work week or house improvement hours, etc. The color of paint used to repaint a resident’s room will be neutral in nature and at the discretion of the House.
- 12.7 Energy Conservation
- 12.7.A All house members are expected to turn off all lights and appliances/electronics when leaving a room, especially at the end of the night. This includes unplugging things like the microwave and toaster oven.
- 12.7.B Showers should not exceed 20 minutes in length, for the purpose of water conservation and bathroom availability.
- 12.7.C Members should only wash full loads of laundry, because washing small loads wastes water.
- 12.7.D House thermostat should never be set higher than 70 degrees; 68 degrees will serve as the default in the winter. During winter break, or any time when most members are away from the house, the thermostat should be set to 60 degrees. The gas bill is one of the largest bills the house has to pay, so it is important to be conscious of the thermostat setting. Only the Facilities Officer, or designee thereof, may adjust the thermostat; any member who has been found to adjust the thermostat to over 70 degrees will be fined $20.
- 12.7.E Members may vote to charge for personal appliances such as mini-fridges, air conditioning units, and space heaters, as these greatly increase electricity costs.
- 12.7.F During long breaks, when members are not in the house (winter break, spring break, vacations, etc), they are expected to unplug all cords from outlets, to cut down on electricity costs.
- 12.8 Gun Policy
- Members shall not bring any of the following items into the house: firearms, ammunition, explosives, or any inherently dangerous property.
====Article 13: Amendments====
- 13.1 This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote during a regular house meeting which has quorum present. (Quorum is defined as 50% of current membership plus one).
- 13.2 Any amendments which pass are edited into the House Constitution by the Board Representative. An updated version of the House Constitution will be given to the SHC Vice President of Education by the House Education Officer.
====Article 14: Scope====
- 14.1** This Constitution supersedes all previous constitutions and all policies at variance with it. Except where delimited in this Constitution, the membership is generally empowered to make all decisions and policies on house matters.