SRC Council adopts official balcony policy
"It was made clear that without a written policy to explain the action of opening and closing the balconies at [SRC], Rice would be in trouble in a court of law," SRC Vice President Dave Hindman said. "The decision was made to allow the members of [SRC] to formulate their own policy under the understanding that without one, Rice authorities would formulate a balcony policy."
The new policy will utilize several methods to limit balcony access. Balcony locks will be cored for the keys held by SRC members. Any balcony with closed doors will be availableonly to SRC members and their guests.
Additionally, the doors will be closed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The doors may be closed or locked at other times by request or for punitive measures.
According to the new rules, punitive measures will occur when "any object or objects" fall "from the buildings of SRC with the single exception of free-flowing water." Fines, community service or locks on the balconies could result from any infractions.
The SRC masters and Executive Council can choose to lock any and all of the balconies for five days at a time, except during Owl Weekend. The duration, extent and reason for any lockdown will be announced to the public.
Individual balcony access privileges can also be revoked for severe or repeated infractions.
In the past, the balcony policy was a tacit understanding among members of SRC. This is the first year it has been put in writing.
SRC President Michelle O'Hara noted problems with not having the policy formalized.
"The balcony policy in the past has been variable," O'Hara said. "There was never a clear correlation between a problematic incident and a corresponding punishment.
"In the past, it was unclear what the punishments were and when or if they would be implemented. Such vacillation made the policy weak; it was unable to motivate students to comply and it was ineffective at preventing incidents."
According to SRC master John Bennett, the impetus for the formalization of the policy came over the summer after a discussion between the administration, representatives of the SRC Council and Bennet himself.
"At that time, the consensus was that a clear and consistent policy was a good idea, and that this policy should be developed by the college," Bennett said.
"This policy is not radically different from existing policies and understandings," Hindman said. "The big change will be the balcony locks.
"This is not a great nuisance to someone with a [SRC] elevator key, but others may find locked balconies inconvenient. But they are not supportive when we face punishment, so they do not receive balcony privileges."
O'Hara said, "[The policy] increases accountability and specifies stern punishments for policy violations.
"We feel that the rules are clear and easy to follow and that deviations are unacceptable."
O'Hara also emphasized the importance of the balconies to the SRC community.
"Almost without exception, SRC members place an enormous priority on keeping the balconies open," O'Hara said. "Their presence is integral to the college spirit and flavor, much as the acabowl is for Wiess [College] or the quads are for other colleges.
"Access to the balconies is a right and a privilege that [SRC] members are anxious to preserve. ... Since safety of both people on the balconies and of those on the ground is of the utmost importance, [SRC] decided to bolster the effectiveness of past balcony policies by increasing clarity and accountability.
"Through its specificity and consistency, we believe this policy will have the power to preserve SRC members' right and privilege of balcony use."
"Sid Richardson College is uninhabitable without open balconies," SRC senior Dan Grossman said. "We must take the necessary steps to ensure that they remain a safe attribute of our building.
"The new policy demonstrates our resolve to keep the balconies, keep them safe and keep them ours."
This item appeared in the News section of the September 27, 1996 issue.
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