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house_documents:constitutions:newcommunity [2025/03/05 13:11] – Updating articles 3, 4, and 5 to be in line with updated version drafted by current members eo_newcommunityhouse_documents:constitutions:newcommunity [2025/03/05 14:55] (current) – Updating articles 6-13 to be in line with updated version drafted by current members eo_newcommunity
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     - **5.5.B** Bathroom cleaners should clean and sanitize the toilet, sink, shower and mirror, clean the fan as needed, empty the trash and restock toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. Floor mats and guff towels must be brought to the washing room and must be washed at least bi-weekly.     - **5.5.B** Bathroom cleaners should clean and sanitize the toilet, sink, shower and mirror, clean the fan as needed, empty the trash and restock toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. Floor mats and guff towels must be brought to the washing room and must be washed at least bi-weekly.
  
-====Article VI - Housework Duties==== +====Article 6: Financial Obligations====
-  - **6.1** House jobs are assigned at the first meeting of each semester. House labor should be assigned as needed and may vary from semester to semester. The house may establish any other jobs or change the job description as it deems necessary. The general purpose of jobs is to maintain an adequate level of sanitation in shared spaces, create a pleasant living atmosphere for residents, and inspire cooperation amongst members of New Community. +
-    - **6.1.1 Jobs Manager (1)** +
-      - **a.** Conducts job appointment ritual by seniority every semester. +
-      - **b.** Prepares and posts labor schedules. Checks schedules weekly to ensure labor completion. +
-      - **c.** Assesses fines and reports them at house meetings. +
-    - **6.1.2 House Shopper (1)** +
-      - **a.** Purchases all house supplies as determined by the house, keeping to the weekly budget amounts as closely as possible. +
-      - **b.** Establishes, posts, and maintains a generally consistent schedule for shopping. +
-      - **c.** Responsible for keeping necessary food and cleaning supplies in stock. +
-      - **d.** Works with Maintenance Officers to purchase relevant supplies. +
-      - **e.** Uses bottles and can deposits to offset costs from the budget. +
-    - **6.1.3 Moderator (1)** +
-        - **a.** Creates a template for house meeting notes and posts it to house social media prior to every meeting, so members may add agenda items. +
-        - **b.** Takes detailed notes during house meetings and posts them after the meeting in the Facebook group. +
-        - **c.** Reminds members multiple times through social media of the house meetings (minimum once per week), giving at least three days notice. +
-        - **d.** Files constitution amendments to this constitution conditional to §12.1 +
-    - **6.1.4 Trash Manager (2)** +
-       - **a.** Empties the kitchen trash and compost bins when full or as needed. +
-    - **6.1.5 Recycling Manager (1)** +
-       - **a.** Organizes and maintains the kitchen recycling station. +
-       - **b.** Posts recycling guidelines for members. +
-       - **c.** Runs recycling to the MSU Recycling Center on a weekly basis or uses East Lansing Recycling curbside service. +
-       - **d.** Takes returnables (bottles and cans) to the store and gives resulting vouchers to the House Shopper. +
-    - **6.1.6 Groundskeepers (2)** +
-       - **a.** Mows, rakes, waters and weeds the garden; shovels snow, when applicable. +
-       - **b.** Keeps the yard clean in general. +
-    - **6.1.7 General Cleaners** +
-        - **6.1.7.1** General cleaners are assigned to clean various sections of the house at different times of the week. Cleaners should vacuum, sweep, empty trash, disinfect surfaces, organize clutter, and mop where appropriate. +
-            - **a. Hallways** +
-            - **b. Kitchen** +
-            - **c. Airlock** +
-            - **d. Living Room** +
-            - **e. Bar/Mail Room** +
-            - **f. Basement/Laundry** +
-                - **i.** Washes house blankets, bath rugs, towels, etc. as needed +
-    - **6.1.8. SHC House Labor** +
-        - **1.** It is an obligation of the house to fulfill any SHC-imposed labor requirements. (e.g. Office Labor). +
-  -**6.2** House jobs are assigned at the first meeting of each semester. House labor should be assigned as needed and may vary from semester to semester. The house may establish any other jobs or change job description as it deems necessary. The general purpose of jobs is to provide a clean, pleasant house.  +
-    - **6.2.1 Dish Days** +
-        - **a.** All members will hold one dish day per week. +
-        - **b.** On their dish day, members are responsible for washing, drying, and putting away house dishes for a minimum of 15 minutes. +
-        - **c.** If needed, dish day duties may be completed one day in advance or one day late. +
-        - **d.** After completion of their dish day, members must sign the dishes dry erase board on their assigned day. If they do their dishes early or late, they must still sign in their assigned day, along with the date completed. +
-    - **6.2.2 Bathrooms** +
-        - **a.** Each bathroom’s cleaning schedule will be determined amongst the members who use that bathroom most regularly. +
-        - **b.** Bathroom cleaners should clean the toilet, sink, shower and mirror, empty the trash and restock toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. Floor mats and guff towels must be washed weekly.+
  
-====Article VII - Parking==== +  - **6.1** At the first House meeting of each term, the House shall offer input on the budget to be created by the Finance Officer. This budget should include all expected expenses; utility bills, SHC expenses (assessments), house savings, food/supplies, and a facilities budget. The Finance Officer is advised to construct the budget based on the previous year’s actual spending (records can be provided by the Corporate Treasurer).
-  - **7.1** Parking spots are determined by seniority at the first house meeting of the semester. +
-         - **7.1.1** If there are remaining unclaimed spots, they shall be considered guest spots. +
-  - **7.2** Members must notify the house if a guest is using parking if parked longer than 8 hours.+
  
-====Article VIII - Room Decisions==== +  - **6.2** House savings should be spent only on house improvements, not bills or other normal expenses including guff food or house events, and must be approved by 2/3 of the current membership at a regular house meeting. Any improvement must include a written financial and time/labor estimate to be presented at the House meeting. Any member may present a proposal to the House.
-  - **8.1** A current member may not sign a second housing contract until they come before the current membership and explain their need or want for the second contract. This must then be voted on whether or not to allow the signing of a second contract. +
-  - **8.2** The decision of room picks will be based on seniority. This will proceed as follows, in order of importance: +
-    - **a.** Any member may claim the room that member currently resides in for the following contract period at the time room picks occurs. This occurs regardless of seniority, and that room shall not be available to any other member during the room picks proceedings. +
-    - **b.** After members may choose to claim the room they currently reside in, seniority (see Article IV) determines the order of room picks. +
-    - **c.** Any member who chooses a double may choose their roommate regardless of where that roommate may fall in the order of room picks.+
  
-====Article IX - Party Policy==== +  - **6.3** Any member maintaining a $100 or more balance will be placed on the House Meeting Agenda for a “Rent Inquiry”. A member must explain their situation and negotiate a payment agreement before the meeting is adjourned. (The payment agreement must be approved by a simple majority). 
-  -**9.1** 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. +    - **6.3.A** Any failure to meet the terms of the payment agreement will be grounds for eviction. The Finance Officer or Chore Checker will call attention to the member’s failure to meet the agreement and discuss it with the member one-on-one; if suited, the officer will then bring it up at the next house meeting during a Rent Inquiry.
-  -**9.2** All house parties must be proposed at a house meeting and voted on and approved by at least a simple majority. +
-  -**9.3** Party Participation: +
-    - **a.** A house member voting yes may enjoy the 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, and must comply with §9.3.d. +
-    - **b.** A house member voting no or abstaining from the vote will be expected not to attend and will be exempt from any shared responsibility; if the member later chooses to attend, they assume the privileges and shared responsibilities of a house member voting yes (see §9.3.a). +
-    - **c.** In the event of a dispute concerning a members' attendance, their participation and assumption of responsibility will be decided by simple majority vote at a house meeting. +
-    - **d.** The house members who vote yes or choose to participate in the party must also participate in the set-up and clean-up of the party. Failure to participate is considered an additional fineable offense (see §3.2) and will be fined as such. +
-  - **9.4** A party is subject to being stopped or canceled at any moment due to medical, legal, or any other situations where the welfare or 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 above. +
-  - **9.5** A party may only be approved once a "sober representative" is appointed by a simple majority. The member must be in attendance for the entirety of the party and is not beholden to §9.3.a. In the event emergency services arrive (i.e. police, fire), a fire alarm goes off, or a member’s health at risk, the sober rep. is designated to talk with all emergency personal. The sober rep. is granted power to stop or cancel the party as they see fit in accordance with §9.4.+
  
-====Article X - Guest Policy==== +  - **6.4** If any member fails to meet the terms of the payment plan and had signed a contract for an additional period, they will automatically lose room security (Article 7.7) and fall to the bottom of the seniority list of returning members, so only new members will be behind that member in seniority.  
-  -**10.1** Each member is responsible for the actions of their accompanying guest(s) and making sure that their guest(s) has been made aware of house norms. +    - **6.4.A** If the failure to meet the payment plan occurs between Room Picks and the end of the contract period, the house may pass a majority vote to redo Room Picks based on the new seniority. 
-  -**10.2** A guest may not be left alone in the house without house approval. + 
-  -**10.3** A guest may stay in a resident’s room for up to two weeks. After two weeks, the guest must be voted on and pass with quorum (half of membership +1) or is required to leave. +  - **6.5** The House is entitled to be fully reimbursed for any damage or negligence resulting from the conduct of any member, or member’s guest. The responsible member/host will be fined, if necessary, to cover the cost of the damage. The amount will be set at a House meeting and added to the account of the responsible party by the Finance Officer. 
-  - **10.4** A guest may stay in the common room for up to three nights, the membership is to be informed of the guest through house social media. A guest staying longer than three nights will need approval of a majority of members. +    - **6.5.A** Abuse house funds by any member, including the Finance Officer or House Shopper, may result in immediate claiming of a Member’s Security Deposit by the house, backed by SHC and New Community president, and is grounds for eviction.  
-  - **10.5** Voting on guests staying longer than the approved limits established in numbers in §10.3 and §10.4 may happen at a house meeting or through social media poll. +    - **6.5.B** In the event of abuse of house funds for an individual’s financial well-being, membership is compelled to evict the offender at a regular or emergency meeting, effective immediately. An offender should be given the opportunity to present their case to the membership at a House meeting before the membership votes to claim their funds or evict the member. 
-  - **10.6** A guest may stay and attend house meetings in their entirety until open floor discussion. Any guest, including potential housemates, are expected to leave the room for this part of house meetings.+ 
 +====Article 7: Seniority==== 
 + 
 +  - **7.1** Seniority is determined first by months lived at New Community and then secondly by months residing in the Spartan Housing Cooperative. 
 + 
 +  - **7.2** In case of a tie among the number of semesters, order will go first by date of contract signing, then by SHC move in date (i.e., early move in contract vs. standard post interim move in), and finally if a tie still remains order will be decided by drawing lots. 
 + 
 +  - **7.3** The Membership Officer must establish a list of seniority before Room Picks are chosen. The order must be announced at the house meeting prior to Room Picks, or before, but not until the membership expected to arrive at that house meeting has solidified their membership within the Spartan Housing Cooperative and New Community.  
 + 
 +  - **7.4** Fall room picks shall be solidified no later than July 15 for the fall term, barring extreme circumstances. Room Picks may be redone if seniority changes, and a motion to redo is to be voted on at a house meeting.  
 + 
 +  - **7.5** New room picks should be set annually. If a spot is open, any member may elect to move into that room, based primarily on seniority, but they will not be granted room security of their new or old room. 
 + 
 +  - **7.6** Once a member has moved into a room, they cannot be bumped out of that room except in the following cases: 
 +    - **7.6.A** A member fails to adhere to a payment plan created as a result of a Rent Inquiry. 
 +    - **7.6.B** A member fails to sign a contract by New Community’s signing deadline. 
 +    - **7.6.C** A member was given their room based on a sublease/contract coverage; they did not choose their room at Room Picks. They only retain room security if they have been in that room since the start of the contract period. Otherwise, they will not be granted room security, because that member may not be high enough in seniority to be able to pick that room anyway.  
 + 
 +  - **7.7** If two people lay claim to a double that they previously shared, the person with higher seniority remains in the double. A member in a double will be given an opportunity at Room Picks to choose their roommate without regard to seniority. 
 + 
 +  - **7.8** Parking assignments are to be voted on at the beginning of each term, based primarily on seniority, and secondly on frequency of car use.  
 + 
 +  - **7.9** Once parking is assigned, members must adhere to the assigned parking assignments, unless members agree to switch spots. Fines may be levied for use of parking lots deemed improper by the majority of the Membership, to be defined through House Norms (Article 3.12) 
 + 
 +  - **7.10** Refrigerator and freezer space is chosen and reviewed by the member with the Education Officer at the beginning of each term and is decided based upon seniority. All members are entitled to at least half of a shelf in a fridge. All members are entitled to space on the house pantry equal to space provided to all others. Members should only use shelves assigned to them, unless otherwise negotiated with the impacted members or on designated house shelving.  
 +    - **7.10.A** Members who are negligent in disposing of items that have perished, are impacting the sanitation or perishability of house or membership products or are otherwise deemed unsafe for use or expired are subject to immediate removal through agreement of members directly impacted, with notice provided to the recipient upon disposal. Repeated negligence is subject to fines. 
 +    - **7.10.B** Members who are leaving New Community and fail to clean out their food related products will have all its their contents donated to New Community’s house food and supplies, or otherwise subject to Article 7.9.A. 
 + 
 +====Article 8: Harassment Policy==== 
 + 
 +  - **8.1** Harassment is any kind of behavior towards a person which impairs the members full enjoyment of the benefits, climate, or opportunities of SHC. 
 + 
 +  - **8.2** Harassment may include, but is not limited to, any of the following: 
 +    - **8.2.A** Malicious remarks or behavior towards another person. This is to include: 
 +      - **i.** Discriminatory behavior. For example, when harassment is in an active form. Such as pinching, caressing, touching, burning crosses, vandalism, etc. 
 +      - **ii.** Verbal or written insults. Including, but not limited to, discriminatory, offensive, or obscene remarks. For example, the writing or the speaking of derogatory names or comments that refer to the individual's race, creed, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, etc. 
 +      - **iii.** Explicit verbal threats. When an individual's personal safety is put in jeopardy by the language of another. For example, “I will hit you if you…”, “You had better listen or else…”, “If you do not do what I say I will hurt you…”, etc. 
 +    - **8.2.B** Physical intimidation, including manipulative or otherwise inappropriate behavior. Intimidation includes offensive advances (e.g. sexual propositions) or inappropriate behavior (e.g. touching, caressing, kissing). This includes actions with or without the threat of punishment for non-compliance and with or without the promise of reward for compliance. 
 +    - **8.2.C** Unreasonable invasion of a person's privacy. 
 +    - **8.2.D** Any act of vandalism towards a person. 
 +    - **8.2.E** Assault–including any kind of physical violence. 
 + 
 +  - **8.3** Any member or guest who feels that they are being harassed by another member of New Community has the option to utilize the following procedures to ameliorate the situation against the alleged harasser. 
 +    - **8.3.A** The alleged victim may choose one or more of the following options: 
 +      - **i.** The alleged victim may bring the alleged harassment to the House Moderator and have a meeting, including the parties of the Moderator, the alleged harasser and the alleged victim. 
 +      - **ii.** The alleged victim may approach the alleged harasser and respectfully discuss the problem with that individual. 
 +      - **iii.** The two parties may choose a mediator, of which both approve, to facilitate a meeting between the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator. If this is not possible then, the House Membership officer must mediate, or appoint an individual in the event of their absence. This may include a mediator outside of New Community. 
 +    - **8.3.B** The allegation must be documented with the Membership Officer. This documentation is to remain confidential, with the Membership Officer the only person having access to the files within the bouse. This person may grant access to the files to the alleged victim, the alleged harasser and moderators of the SHC or otherwise assigned outside of New Community involved in the immediate situation only. 
 +    - **8.3.C** The alleged victim may report the incident to the SHC, where a grievance committee will be formed in order to help them proceed further. 
 +    - **8.3.D** 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.E** 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 an 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 following three options: 
 +    - **8.4.A** The alleged victim may bring the alleged harassment to a meeting of the House Moderator, Board of Representatives Member, and Membership Officer, and include the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator. 
 +    - **8.4.B** The alleged victim may respectfully approach the alleged harasser and discuss the problem, with the intention of solving the issues in this and other relevant situations including the alleged victim and alleged harasser. 
 +    - **8.4.C** The alleged victim and the alleged harasser may 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 must remain confidential, and only the Membership Officer may access the files. This person will permit access to this documentation to the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator and the House Board Representative. 
 + 
 +  - **8.6** After the second allegation, an emergency meeting must be held within one week, with the option of inviting the SHC VP of Membership to facilitate. 
 + 
 +  - **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 may take the form of fines or eviction, taking into consideration the outcome of the house meeting or the SHC Membership Committee meeting. 
 + 
 +  - **8.9** Informed 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 houses Conflict Resolution Team, defined as any combination, but not less than two, of the House Moderator, the Board Representative, and the Membership Officer. The blocklist is for persons who have been identified as violators to the House Constitution, Article 8, or to 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, or other relevant felonies, misdemeanors, or acts deemed unacceptable by the membership. 
 +    - **8.10.A** The housemate that believes a person should be banned is to go to the conflict resolution officers and all will agree to a Blocklist Confidentiality Agreement if the requestor or Officers want to remain anonymous. If a housemate does not feel comfortable speaking directly to the house, SHC, or other conflict resolution officers, they can send a proxy in their place. 
 +    - **8.10.B** If the Conflict Resolution Team does not feel like the situation warrants an immediate blocklist approval, they may divert the person back to 8.10 
 +    - **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 New Community 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.  
 + 
 +  - **9.2** No person may reside in the common areas for a period of time greater than one week, without the houses vote to approve. This vote must be unanimous. 
 + 
 +====Article 10: Pet Policy==== 
 + 
 +  - **10.1** We declare ourselves an animal friendly house. By choosing to live in this house, you agree to the possibility of living animals by house membership. 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 registered Service Animals are not allowed in New Community 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. 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 a registered service animal, except for visits. Any pet visiting longer than a period of 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** New Community shall not house more than one pet per every five members, 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 per 7 members, with no more than five pets allowed to regularly reside in the house. 
 + 
 +  - **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 term. 
 +    - **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 term.  
 +    - **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 vote 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 responsible, financially and otherwise, for any damage the pet causes to the property 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 new 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. 
 + 
 +  - **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 is broken in your room, it is your own liability. 
 + 
 + 
 +====Article 11: Party Policy==== 
 + 
 +  - **11.1** A house-sponsored party is defined by these conditions: the party has a theme, the party is advertised, the party takes place in a communal area of the house, the party has live or amplified music, and is budgeted appropriately. 
 + 
 +  - **11.2** All house parties must be voted on and approved at a regular house meeting by at least a 2/3 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 or party lead(s) shall create a sign-up sheet in order to designate members for party set up and clean up. Members may sign up for their preferred task. 
 +    - **11.3.B** The Chore Checker or party lead(s) will also create a door duty list, keeping in mind logistics and ensuring at least one member is available to work door duty is in each time slot. 
 +    - **11.3.C** Any participating member who does not complete their specific duty 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 recognized as an official house gathering that is voted on by the house members and is 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 or party lead(s) must designate a person or people 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, unless for the express purpose of cooking, in which no more than 750ml (equal to one bottle of wine/liquor) shall be allowed per month or at the discretion of a unanimous vote by the membership.  
 + 
 +  - **11.7** Advertisement of alcohol or controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Advertisements for parties posted in any public area are strictly prohibited.  
 + 
 +====Article 12: Miscellaneous==== 
 + 
 +  - **12.1** Smoking of any kind is not allowed in New Community House. 
 + 
 +  - **12.2 Internet usage** 
 +    - **12.2.A** No member shall illegally download content using house internet. 
 +    - **12.2.B** Members shall be considerate in their volume of internet usage. 
 + 
 +  - **12.3 House Social Media** 
 +    - **12.3.A** The house will maintain a House Discord group for the purpose of easy and instant communication with all members.  
 +    - **12.3.B** Administrators for the house social media will include the Membership Officer, Education Officer, House Moderator and House Board Representative. 
 +    - **12.3.C** Only house members should be allowed into the Discord group. 
 +    - **12.3.D** The house will maintain a House Shared Drive, with all documents except those otherwise outlined in this constitution, to all current members, for the purpose of organizing and maintaining house documents and information, receipts, and officer reports. 
 + 
 +  - **12.4 Quiet Hours & Music** 
 +    - **12.4.A** The house will vote on quiet hours at the beginning of each term. 
 +    - **12.4.B** In the week before and during Michigan State University’s 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(s) may propose a fine for the violating member to the conflict resolution team, not to exceed $10 for the first offense in a period of two weeks. 
 +    - **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 Paint Policy** 
 +    - **12.5.A** Any painting done in common areas must get approval from the house (majority vote at a meeting) regarding location, size, budget, and the general purpose and concept of the mural. The painter should show reasonable progress after getting house approval, and the project should be finished by a date negotiated during the initial proposal discussion. If the membership does approve of the mural after it has been completed, 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. 
 +      - **i** 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 or fines shall be discussed at the next regular house meeting. 
 +    - **12.5.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. 
 +      - **i.** 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. 
 +      - **ii.** 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. 
 +      - **iii.** 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 of the room before the new resident moves. This includes, but is not limited: to repainting the room on their own; the temporary use/hiring of SHC salaried staff and preferred SHC subcontractors; the delegation of work to a member needing to fulfill work week or house improvement hours, etc.  
 +      - **vi.** The color of paint used to repaint a resident’s room will be neutral in nature and at the discretion of the House. 
 + 
 +  - **12.6 Energy Conservation** 
 +    - **12.6.A** All house members are expected to turn off all lights, appliances, and electronics when leaving a room, especially after quiet hours. This includes unplugging personal appliances and house appliances when not in use.  
 +    - **12.6.B** Members shall make reasonable efforts to not to leave showers, faucets, or hoses running for than a 20-minute period for the purpose of water conservation, bathroom availability, and mitigation of humidity related property degradation. 
 +    - **12.6.C** Members should make reasonable efforts to only wash full loads of laundry, for both personal and house laundry. 
 +    - **12.6.D** Setting of the house thermostat shall be determined by norms and discussed each term. 
 +    - **12.6.E** Members may vote to charge for personal appliances such as mini-fridges, air conditioning units, and space heaters. 
 +    - **12.6.F** During long periods when a member is not residing in the house, defined as greater than ten consecutive days, members must unplug all cords from outlets. 
 + 
 +  - **12.7 Weapon Policy:** Members shall not bring any of the following items into the house without unanimous agreement from the membership: firearms, ammunition, explosives, or any inherently dangerous property 
 +    - **12.7.A** An exception made to pepper spray intended solely for the purposes of a member’s self-defense. 
 + 
 +====Article 13: Amendments==== 
 + 
 +  -**13.1** This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths (rounded up to the nearest whole number) vote during a regular house meeting which has a quorum present. (Quorum is defined as 50% of current membership residing in the house plus one). 
 +  -**13.2** Any amendments which are ratified are edited into the House Constitution by the Board Representative. An updated version of the House Constitution must be given to the SHC Vice President of Education by either the Board Representative within by the end of the term in which an amendment is ratified.
  
-====Article XI - Pet Policy==== 
-  -**11.1** All uncaged pets residing in the house must be discussed and voted in by simple majority at a house meeting before it is brought into and allowed to reside in the house. 
-  -**11.2** Any and all pet allergies must be considered when bringing new pets into the house.   
-  -**11.3** Pet owners are responsible for any and all impact their animal has on the house’s day to day operations and environment. This includes, but is not limited to, sights, smells, animal droppings, use of house resources, space needed to house the pet, and any damages incurred.  
-  -**11.4** A limit of two uncaged animals residing in the house will not be exceeded as per SHC policy (not more than 1 per 7 members).  
  
-====Article XII - Amendments to the Constitution==== 
  
-  -**12.1** This constitution may be amended at a regularly scheduled house meeting by a majority of members present; amendments shall be filed with the SHC by the appointed house moderator (see §6.1.3) and a new copy of the constitution should be compiled for the house to record past changes. 
house_documents/constitutions/newcommunity.1741209070.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/03/05 13:11 by eo_newcommunity