The residents of Chi Theta Chi, 2010-2011.
The following message is attributed to the Chi Theta Chi residents, student staff, and alumni board:
Early Wednesday evening, Stanford Residential Dining and Enterprises (RD&E) and Stanford Student Affairs informed Chi Theta Chi staff of their plans to revoke the house’s lease, beginning today, February 9, 2012. By doing so, the University would evict from campus one of the last remaining independent student houses and transfer ownership of Chi Theta Chi to RD&E.
We are confused and saddened by the University’s attempt to remove ownership of the property from the house’s alumni board, which has controlled the property for decades. This transfer of ownership would directly undermine the diversity of the living options available to to undergraduates – counter to the university’s stated goal. In his message on diversity, President Hennessy wrote, “We realize that a variety of approaches are necessary to foster diversity throughout the university, and we will continue to give careful attention to these important efforts.” Chi Theta Chi, in its current state of private ownership, is one of those necessary approaches. The removal of Chi Theta Chi’s independence would be a detriment not only to its residents, but also to the entire student body, which benefits from the diversity the house had supported for over thirty years.
Chi Theta Chi’s unique independence has made it a home for all of us as students, and in the past the university has respected our rich diversity of interests and living preferences. We are disheartened by the university’s announcement, which came with minimal forewarning and which we believe disregards the exceptional efforts and improvements the staff of Chi Theta Chi have made to keep the house a safe and supportive environment for all of its residents. We call upon the university to uphold their agreement in the terms of the lease to meet with the house to discuss less drastic alternatives. We trust that the University will not allow short-sighted technicalities destroy our house’s independence.
February 10th, 2012 at 1:29 am
I read the release on the Daily and it seemed the University “ambushed” XOX with their decision. That seems strange that they wouldn’t provide any advance notice? Any details on this and the “unsafe and illegal” living conditions?
February 10th, 2012 at 7:44 am
But why?
This sort of action does not just occur out of the blue (even at Stanford).
February 10th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Who should we email/call to complain?
February 10th, 2012 at 11:57 am
Rodger Whitney is the Executive Director of Student Housing, and his number is (650) 723-0656 (see http://stanfordwho.stanford.edu/SWApp/Search.do?search=Rodger+Whitney&filters=closed&affilfilter=everyone&btnG=Search).
February 10th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Hi, current resident in the house here and I’ll try to provide what answers I can. As a house we are waiting for more legal advice and for more discussion with University officials before we release more statements or details.
@ ’13: The Stanford Daily had no communication whatsoever with the XOX staff before publishing their article (according to our RA). Most details they published, as well as the “ambushed” quote, were from an email sent out to our Alumni list informing them of the situation. This TUSB post is the only public XOX statement to date.
@Alum: Our house staff were informed of the decision Wednesday (two days ago). The University claimed ownership of the house Thursday (yesterday). It has been quite sudden and emotional for the house.
@Ej: Thanks for your support, but we’re holding off on email complaints until we’ve had more time to work with the University. But stay tuned.
February 10th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
The “diversity” defense is laughable here.
It’s also foolish to form any opinion about this without hearing the administration’s case…
February 10th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Ej – calls help, and letters too! See info below:
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE: (650) 723-2481
John L. Hennessy
Office of the President
Building 10
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
president@stanford.edu
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Howard Wolf, President
Stanford Alumni Association
Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center
326 Galvez Street
Stanford, CA 94305-6105
howardwolf@stanford.edu
February 10th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I would start with the following people:
Greg Boardman, Vice Provost of Student Affairs
gboardman@stanford.edu
(650) 723-0262, (650) 723-7130
Shirley Everett, ResEd
ssje@stanford.edu
(650) 724-3077, (650) 723-1674
Those people are the ones mentioned in the Daily article as being at the meeting.
February 10th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Right, this doesn’t happen at stanford. Makes you question the “ambush” aspect in my opinion.
February 13th, 2012 at 2:10 am
“This doesn’t happen at Stanford” is not an argument and is little more than an unfounded accusation of lying against the people of XOX.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
And he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook.