Tom Dent Cabin, which for over 30 years has been owned and operated by the Athletic Department, will soon become the College's first fully student-run social space.
The cabin, which is situated between Tuck Drive and the Connecticut River, near Ledyard Canoe Club, was this past summer transferred to the control of Dartmouth's Student Assembly for use as a free student social space, according to Student Body President Molly Stutzman '02.
"We thought this was a wonderful opportunity to open this new space up for students," Stutzman said. "Students can use Collis, but it's not the same ... this is something that's really set off from the rest of campus."
Once in operation, the cabin will be available for scheduled student use free of charge.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for students and student groups to use their own space for whatever they choose, whether a retreat or a kickoff event or a casual gathering," Stutzman said. "I'm really thinking that this will fill a niche for students and student organizations."
She explained that plans for granting control of the cabin to Student Assembly were arranged during the summer term, when Summer Assembly Chair Michael Perry '03 discussed the change with Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia and Associate Director of Student Activities Linda Kennedy.
"[Sateia and Kennedy] recognized the need for a student controlled space and really helped make this happen," Stutzman said.
Explaining the logic behind the change, Student Body Vice President Michael Newton '04 said the Athletic Department had felt that the building was underused and "could be a better resource for the campus" under control of a student-run organization.
After initially being transferred to Student Activities from the Athletic Department, the cabin was given to Student Assembly in early September; the Assembly now oversees the scheduling of cabin use as well as financing possible improvements to the building.
"[Facilities, Operations and Management] will maintain it," Stutzman said. "We will use part of our budget to improve the facility, and we're also looking for student input so that people can let us know about possible changes ... we're eager for ideas."
She said that the Assembly had delayed announcing the availability of Tom Dent "until we had worked out all the details."
Newton was encouraged by the College's willingness to designate the cabin as a completely student-run space.
"It's a real social alternative," he said. "It marks a turning point in the administration's point of view on student controlled spaces ... it's only a first step, but Student Assembly is trying to get as many of those spaces as possible."
Student Assembly has plans to send a letter to "all students and student groups" by the end of this week to inform them of the availability of the cabin, Stutzman said.
She said Julie Webb '04, Chair of the Assembly's Communications Committee, would work on publicizing the cabin, and also mentioned holding an open house later this term "so that students can come by and see what's available."
Reservations are currently available online on the Student Assembly website.
The cabin, which was built in 1965, was previously used by athletic teams as well as Alumni classes, and was also rented out to student groups. The cabin contains a kitchen, restroom, and fireplace, and can hold as many as 40 students.
