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--- house_documents:constitutions:bower [2025/09/30 17:16] – Update 9.14.2025 eo_bower
+++ house_documents:constitutions:bower [2026/03/19 10:05] (current) – Fixing article numbers eo_bower
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
   - **F.** New members will be charged a membership fee and a house share. The share will be returned to a member in a timely manner after they no longer reside in the House. An account will be considered closed when all costs are paid, including fines, rent, and room damages, and when the member’s room and/or house keys have been returned. Any outstanding debts will be subtracted from the house share.
   - **G.** Members are required to sign full contracts. Members who join after the beginning of the school year will pay the complete membership fee, but other charges will be made proportional to the amount of time left in the year.
-    - 1. All members are required to participate in the primary communication method of the House.
+    - **1.** All members are required to participate in the primary communication method of the House.
-    - 2. Seniority. If a member of the Haus would like to move rooms during the contract cycle, it will be based on seniority of the signed contract date of the specific member(s).
+    - **2.** Seniority. If a member of the Haus would like to move rooms during the contract cycle, it will be based on seniority of the signed contract date of the specific member(s).
   - **H.** If a member of the Haus terminates their contract, they are responsible for advertising their vacancy to ensure the spot gets filled.
     - . Members who buy out of their contract are still responsible for three months’ carrying charges, in accordance with SHC policy. However, their house charges may be waived through a quorum house vote. Whether to waive these charges should be based on the member’s effort to fill their vacancy.
-  - **H.** Changing contracts within the House during the cycle (i.e. changing from a double to single/single to double) requires notification of the membership officer. The member changing contracts will still be responsible for advertising their vacancy.
+  - **I.** Changing contracts within the House during the cycle (i.e. changing from a double to single/single to double) requires notification of the membership officer. The member changing contracts will still be responsible for advertising their vacancy.
-  - **10.** Members are required to:
+  - **J.** Members are required to:
-    - 1. Understand and promote the purpose of the House as outlined in the SHC Articles of Incorporation.
+    - **1**. Understand and promote the purpose of the House as outlined in the SHC Articles of Incorporation.
-    - 2. take an active part in the affairs of the House.
+    - **2**. take an active part in the affairs of the House.
-    - 3. attend House meetings.
+    - **3**. attend House meetings.
-    - 4. maintain House facilities.
+    - **4**. maintain House facilities.
-    - 5. obey all rules and policies, values and norms that the House sets.
+    - **5**. obey all rules and policies, values and norms that the House sets.
 ====Article VI: House Meetings====
@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
           - **v.** All decisions made at an Emergency House Meeting shall be subject to review at the following Regular House Meeting.
           - **vi.** Can be called by any member of the house.
-  - **B.** All members occupying a space in the house are required to attend all house meetings, with the exception of personal time conflicts or emergency/special circumstances. The facilitator must be informed of an absence before the meeting begins, or contract members will be fined $15. If the member misses a second consecutive meeting, they are fined $30, and a third would be $45, continuing at $45 past three consecutive meetings missed. Any communication informing the meeting facilitator of absence resets the rate to $15.
-      - **1.** Members with permanent time conflicts are encouraged to change their schedules if possible, or the house should reevaluate meeting days/times to accommodate for all members.
 ====Article VII: Rules====
@@ Line 122: / Line 120: @@
     - **5.** The newly elected active members shall take charge of their respective positions immediately.
-===Officer and Leadership Position Responsibilities====
+====Officer and Leadership Position Responsibilities====
 **A. Jobs Manager (Chore Checker)**
   - **1.** The Jobs Manager is elected at the first House meeting at the beginning of MSU’s fall semester for the rest of the contract period.
@@ Line 187: / Line 185: @@
   - **6.** The Kitchen Steward will work with the House treasurer to set up budgets for food and supplies.
   - **7.** The Kitchen Steward cannot purchase meat or seafood products with House funds.
+  - **8.** The Kitchen Steward will perform a monthly dish dash. A dish dash is defined as a monthly collection of dishes from each member’s room. With prior notice entrance into the personal rooms to look for house dishes by the Kitchen Steward is allowed.  Dish totals, responsibility for cleaning, and any incurred fines will be split among roommates (meaning both occupants of the double).
 **I. Interim Coordinator**
   - **1.** The Interim Coordinator for the transition to the next SHC contract period will be elected at the last House meeting of the contract period (usually the last House meeting of the MSU Spring semester). The Interim Coordinator should be a member that is returning for the next contract period. The Interim Coordinator will collect all House and room keys from leaving House members and keep track of all keys not turned in. The Interim Coordinator will provide the House treasurer a list of all House members who have not turned in their keys so that they can be charged accordingly.
@@ Line 192: / Line 191: @@
   - **3.** The Interim Coordinator will set the agenda for and facilitate the first House meeting of the new contract period.
-====Article X: Work Duties, Fines and Penalties====
+====Article XI: Work Duties, Fines and Penalties====
- - **A.** Before the work schedule is made, the duties of each job are to be posted by the Jobs Manager and remain posted throughout the contract period. In the instance of a party, the event chores,duties,responsibilities have fines in place to make sure everything goes accordingly (refer to article XVIII)
+  - **A.** Before the work schedule is made, the duties of each chore are to be posted by the Chore Checker and remain posted throughout the contract period. In the instance of a party, the event chores, duties, responsibilities have fines in place to make sure everything goes accordingly (refer to article XVIII)
   - **B.** The manner in which the work is distributed must ensure that each member does approximately the same amount of work for the House. Jobs should be distributed at the first House meeting of each MSU semester.
   - **C.** Each member of the House must accomplish four/five hours of general improvement work per semester.
@@ Line 204: / Line 203: @@
     - **2.** The membership will vote on whether to fine the individual in question after both sides are heard.
         - **i.** If the vote is in favor of fining the member in question, then fines shall be levied based on the value of said destroyed item.
         - **ii.** If the vote is not in favor of fining the member in question, then the issue will be considered resolved.
     - **3.** Grounds and procedures for expulsion are outlined in the SHC Code of Operations and within this constitution.
-  - **F.** Fines may be removed if a ⅔  majority of the membership votes to remove the levied fine during a Regular House Meeting or if the SHC Grievance Committee determines the fine to be unfair.
+  - **F.** Bower House members are permitted to miss at most 3 house meetings in a semester (Spring, Summer and Fall as defined by the MSU academic calendar) before receiving a fine. Fines should be given accordingly:
+    - **1.** $10 fine for an excused absence. An excused absence includes conflicts with  work, class, trips, family matters, health, and transportation. For an absence to be excused it must also be communicated to the meeting facilitator.
+    - **2.** If there is no communication or the reason for absence does not meet the criteria, a $15 fine should be given. If the member misses a second consecutive meeting still with no communication, they are fined $30, and a third would be $45, continuing at $45 past three consecutive meetings missed. Any communication informing the meeting facilitator of absence resets the rate to $10 or $15, depending on if the absence is excusable or not.
+      - **i.** Members with permanent time conflicts are encouraged to change their schedules if possible, or the house should reevaluate meeting days/times to accommodate for all members.
+  -**G.** During a dish dash, the housemate with the most dishes reported in their room is responsible for washing all of the dishes collected. If the member does not wash the dishes, they will be fined a flat $15. This bounty is up for steals.
+  -**H.** If you miss your party chore, or vote for the party and go back on your vote, a fine of 10$ will be placed.
+  - **I.** Fines may be removed if a ⅔  majority of the membership votes to remove the levied fine during a Regular House Meeting or if the SHC Grievance Committee determines the fine to be unfair.
-====Article XI – Seniority====
+====Article XII – Seniority====
-  - **1.** Seniority in the House is determined by the date a member contract is signed to the Bower Cooperative. In the event that two or more members signed on the same day, the member who first contacted Bower’s Membership Officer has seniority.
+  - **A.** Seniority in the House is determined by the date a member contract is signed to the Bower Cooperative. In the event that two or more members signed on the same day, the member who first contacted Bower’s Membership Officer has seniority.
-  - **2.** Seniority from other Houses in SHC is counted by half of the time in days spent under contract with the previous House(s).
+  - **B.** Seniority from other Houses in SHC is counted by half of the time in days spent under contract with the previous House(s).
-====Article XII – Rooms====
+====Article XIII – Rooms====
   - **A.** Room pick order is determined by seniority. Every year before moving in there will be an event for new and returning members to pick rooms.
-    - 1. Room pick seniority is unaffected by double or single contract status.
+    - **1**. Room pick seniority is unaffected by double or single contract status.
-    - 2. Members have the right to remain in their current room when renewing their contract.
+    - **2**. Members have the right to remain in their current room when renewing their contract.
-====Article XIII — Parking====
+====Article XIV — Parking====
   - **A.** Parking seniority in the Bower parking lot (and other spaces guaranteed to the house by the SHC) will be determined by two factors: whether a member has a vehicle upon their move-in (or renewed contract start) date, and their signing date. Members who will have a specific vehicle by the time of said move-in/renewed contract start dates will have priority to access parking for the remainder of their contract, but if there are more members with vehicles, then access will be based on the earliest signing date.
-    - 1. Exception: If a member has physical limitations or needs to have a vehicle in the lot for their personal health and/or safety, then such members will have top seniority for a parking spot in the Bower parking lot.
+    - **1**. Exception: If a member has physical limitations or needs to have a vehicle in the lot for their personal health and/or safety, then such members will have top seniority for a parking spot in the Bower parking lot.
-    - 2. Exception: If a member has possession of a vehicle that is not with them physically or has a proof of a definitive plan to own a specific vehicle within three months of their contract start date, they can request to have a parking spot held in the lot up until the end of the third month. If by then they do not have said vehicle they will revoke their parking spot. During the period that this spot is empty, members next in line of seniority may use this spot until the original member has their vehicle.
+    - **2**. Exception: If a member has possession of a vehicle that is not with them physically or has a proof of a definitive plan to own a specific vehicle within three months of their contract start date, they can request to have a parking spot held in the lot up until the end of the third month. If by then they do not have said vehicle they will revoke their parking spot. During the period that this spot is empty, members next in line of seniority may use this spot until the original member has their vehicle.
   - **B.**  If there are any extenuating circumstances, additional accommodations can be made.
-    - 1. Exception: If two members are fighting over parking spots they will perform a footrace in drag. An arbitrary third party will act as referee for a race that spans across the Bower/Haven House lots.
+    - **1**. Exception: If two members are fighting over parking spots they will perform a footrace in drag. An arbitrary third party will act as referee for a race that spans across the Bower/Haven House lots.
   - **C.** Guests may use the Bower parking lot to park their vehicle if at the time there are more parking spots than members with vehicles. Otherwise, guests must find a different spot to park their vehicle(s).
   - **D.** Assigned parking spots (a specific physical area for a specific person’s vehicle) are determined by current members, yet members do not need to assign spots if they decide this as a house.
-====Article XIV — Smoking Policy====
+====Article XV — Smoking Policy====
   - **A.** There is no smoking permitted within Bower House, including tobacco, e-cigarettes and marijuana products.
-    - 1. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please talk to our Membership Officer.
+    - **1**. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please talk to our Membership Officer.
   - **B.** Smoking is allowed outside of Bower House.
-====Article XV – Large Appliances====
+====Article XVI – Large Appliances====
   - **A.** Members using a space heater or a wall-mounted air conditioning unit will be subject to an additional per-month charge each month of use as agreed upon by the membership.
-    - a. Space heaters in personal living spaces must be less than 5 years old.
+    - **1.** Space heaters in personal living spaces must be less than 5 years old.
-    - b. Maximum energy usage for a space heater is 1000kWh.
+    - **2.** Maximum energy usage for a space heater is 1000kWh.
-    - c. Charges will be waived for rooms deemed uninhabitable without heaters.
+    - **3.** Charges will be waived for rooms deemed uninhabitable without heaters.
-    - d. Other personal appliances that use large amounts of energy may result in an additional per-month charge each month of use, as agreed upon by the membership.
+    - **4.** Other personal appliances that use large amounts of energy may result in an additional per-month charge each month of use, as agreed upon by the membership.
-====Article XVI – Pet Policy====
+====Article XVII – Pet Policy====
   - **A.** One’s pet is one’s own responsibility. This includes the financial responsibility if one’s pet damages property of the house or other members.
   - **B.** Any and all pet waste is to be managed by the owner of said pet.
-    - a. Litter boxes are to be kept within the room of the owner, not within common spaces.
+    - **1.** Litter boxes are to be kept within the room of the owner, not within common spaces.
-    - b. All pet waste that finds itself outside of a litter box, including outdoor waste, must be cleaned up as soon as possible by the owner of said pet. Managing pet waste includes managing the smell in shared spaces.
+    - **2.** All pet waste that finds itself outside of a litter box, including outdoor waste, must be cleaned up as soon as possible by the owner of said pet. Managing pet waste includes managing the smell in shared spaces.
   - **C. ** Any dog living at Bower must know and respond to “no”, “down”, “stop”, “leave it”, etc - OR be enrolled in training classes of some sort. This ensures that everyone’s personal boundaries are not being violated.
   - **D.** Pets are to be registered with the SHC after receiving a “yes” vote from the house.
-    - a. It is at the house's discretion to vote on whether or not an individual's pet can live in the house based on size, behavior, and any other practical considerations.
+    - **1.** It is at the house's discretion to vote on whether or not an individual's pet can live in the house based on size, behavior, and any other practical considerations.
-====Article XVII: Work Week====
+====Article XVIII: Work Week====
   - **A.** Work Week
     - **1.** The purpose of Work Week will be to clean Bower House and to complete projects that add value to Bower House.
@@ Line 263: / Line 266: @@
     - **5.** This event is mandatory for all house members.
-====Article XVIII – “Party” Policy====
+====Article XIX – “Party” Policy====
   - **A.** All house parties must be voted on and approved at a house meeting by quorum (10 members).
-    - 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.
+    - **1.** 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.
-    - b. A house member voting no or abstaining to vote 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 above.
+    - **2.** A house member voting no or abstaining to vote 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 above.
   - **B.** A party is subject to be stopped or cancelled at any moment due to medical, legal, or any other situations where the welfare and safety of the house and its members is at risk.
-    - a. In the event that any legal or dangerous situation arises as a result of a housemate or housemate’s friends, the house shall discuss the consequences for said behavior at the following meeting.
+    - **1.** In the event that any legal or dangerous situation arises as a result of a housemate or housemate’s friends, the house shall discuss the consequences for said behavior at the following meeting.
   - **C.** A party shall be defined as an official house gathering that is voted on by the house members. This status requires that house members recognize and follow the specific traits and responsibilities described in this section of the house constitution.
   - **D.** Due to legal and safety reasons, the preferred distribution of alcohol will be BYOB (bring your own booze).
   - **E.** If Bower House and its members decide to throw a party they as a house must elect a “sober rep”, this member will refrain from “substances” for the evening, making themselves available to handle escalating situations, mediating of any kind, any situation someone who is under the influence is not able to handle alone.
-    - a. In the event the fire alarm goes off the “sober rep” is to be the person to talk to the fire department, likewise the “sober rep” is also the person who needs to talk to the police in the event they show up.
+    - **1.** In the event the fire alarm goes off the “sober rep” is to be the person to talk to the fire department, likewise the “sober rep” is also the person who needs to talk to the police in the event they show up.
   - **F.** Any hard copy or electronic invitations must only be made available in a private or a secret setting. Any distribution of the party information or description to public forums is strictly prohibited. Examples include open facebook events, coffeehouses, or campus billboards.
   - **G.** The house members who vote to participate in the party must participate in the set up, clean up, and security of the party.
-    - **a.** The Jobs Manager shall create a signup sheet in order to designate which jobs are to be completed before, during, and after the party as well as which participating house members are responsible for specific tasks.
+    - **1.** The Jobs Manager shall create a signup sheet in order to designate which jobs are to be completed before, during, and after the party as well as which participating house members are responsible for specific tasks.
-   -**b.** In the instance of party planning work schedules,the jobs manager is expected to have a schedule prepared for the membership from which to choose their jobs at least 3 weeks prior to the date of the party. If members of the house do not choose an adequate amount of work by the week of the party, they shall be assigned jobs.
+     -**2.** In the instance of party planning work schedules,the jobs manager is expected to have a schedule prepared for the membership from which to choose their jobs at least 3 weeks prior to the date of the party. If members of the house do not choose an adequate amount of work by the week of the party, they shall be assigned jobs.
-   -**c.** if you miss your party chore, or vote for the party and go back on your vote. A fine of 10$ will be placed.
+  - **H.** A member of Bower House must be designated as the Performer Representative, responsible for communicating with DJs, bands, and any other performer planning on performing at Bower House. The Performer Representative shall ensure that one representative from each performing group or individual signs a Performer Contract, as well as the Performer Representative’s signature.
-  - b. ====Article XIX - Guest Policy===
+====Article XX - Guest Policy===
   - **A.** A Guest shall be defined as a non-member who stays overnight at the House for 3 consecutive days or 7 non-consecutive days in a month.
   - **B.** During the first month (31 days) that a Guest stays at a House this person must abide by that House's Guest policy.
@@ Line 290: / Line 293: @@
   - **I.** Any House that does not register their Guests will not be eligible for an assessment break.
-  - b. ====Article XX - Consent====
+====Article XXI - Consent====
   - **A.** Consent is an active and informed agreement between two parties.
-  - b. ====Article XXI – Amendments====
+ ====Article XXII – Amendments====
-  - **A.** Amendments to this document require 2/3 approval of House membership.
+  - **A.** Amendments to this document or the House Norms require 2/3 approval of House membership, rounding up from a decimal (19 house members would require 13 votes).
   - **B.** Amendment proceedings must be preceded by at least a two week viewing period during which amendments can be proposed by any member. This period is to be announced at a House meeting.
-  - **C.** Voting on amendments to this document can takque place via online poll vote or any House meeting voted on by at least 2/3 of the membership (the amount required for amendment approval). All members, whether or not present at the House meeting, must have the opportunity to vote on changes.
+  - **C.** Voting on amendments can take place via online poll vote or any House meeting voted on by at least 2/3 of the membership (the amount required for amendment approval). All members, whether or not present at the House meeting, must have the opportunity to vote on changes.
- - **D.** House Norms can be updated with a standard quorum vote.
-  - b. ====Article XXII - Supplemental House Values and Norms====
+====Article XXIII - Supplemental House Values and Norms====
   - **A.** Bower House values are as follows and may be changed by a ⅔ vote of the house. Bower and its members value:
-    - a. Diverse Opinions and Perspectives
+    - 1. Diverse Opinions and Perspectives
-    - b. Respect
+    - 2. Respect
-    - c. Open Communication
+    - 3. Open Communication
-    - d. Honesty
+    - 4. Honesty
-    - e. Friendliness
+    - 5. Friendliness
-    - f. Being cooperative
+    - 6. Being cooperative
-    - g. Being an active participant in our community
+    - 7. Being an active participant in our community
-    - h. Cleanliness
+    - 8. Cleanliness
-    - i. Sustainability
+    - 9. Sustainability
-    - j. Consent
+    - 10. Consent
   - **B.** Our norms are derived from our values and should be discussed at every first house meeting of the year. It is important that all members and their guests follow these norms and they must be posted in common spaces for constant reference.
-    - a. Open and Honest Communication
+    - **1.** Open and Honest Communication
       - i. Use I statements
       - ii. Be proactive in your communication, not reactive.
@@ Line 322: / Line 324: @@
       - viii. Step up - Step back
       - ix. All house norms and rules apply to social media use.
-    - b. Consent!
+    - **2.** Consent!
       - i. Ask for consent when touching someone or their property, eating their food, or entering their room
       - ii. No one is static, ask each time
@@ Line 329: / Line 331: @@
       - v. Don’t be a bystander
       - vi. Don’t post pictures of other housemates on social media without their consent or any pictures that would be found in violation of the constitution.
-    - c. Respect!
+    - **3.** Respect!
       - i. All members are treated equal
       - ii. Hold visitors to same standards
       - iii. Include everyone
       - iv. ALWAYS respect your housemates (THIS IS YOUR FAM)
-      - d. Be Eco-Friendly
+      - **4.** Be Eco-Friendly
         - i. Conserve resources
         - ii. Recycle!
         - iii. Turn lights/TV off when you’re the last one leaving the room
-    - e. Cleanliness
+    - **5.** Cleanliness
       - i. Do your jobs to the best of your ability
       - ii.Leave everything better than you found it!
       - iii. You don’t have to have the job to do what has to be done (take initiative)
-    - f. Spread positivity
+    - **6.** Spread positivity
       - i. If you need to vent - ask first
-    - g. Actively participate in our family
+    - **7.** Actively participate in our family
       - i. Be a part of house events
       - ii. Help foster a sense of home/family
@@ Line 350: / Line 352: @@
       - iv. Have an emotional investment in the house
       - v. Honor Bower traditions.