News
Beginning next fall, student organizations will be able to hold office space in Robinson Hall only if selected through a newly instituted application process.
All student organizations -- whether they currently hold space in Robinson Hall or not -- will be required to complete a formal application by May 15 in order to acquire or retain office space in Robinson Hall for the 2002-2003 academic year.
The change was propelled by complaints from student groups who have been unable to gain office space in Robinson Hall, according to Patrick Connelly, assistant director of the Collis Student Center.
The application process will "allow greater access and greater accessibility to offices in Robinson for all student groups," Connelly said.
"We've received numerous requests from student groups who are looking for space to be able to maximize their programs," he explained.
Although Connelly said he did not know how many groups will submit applications, he noted that his announcement has generated much reaction from student organizations.
"If the feedback we've received so far is any indication, I think we're going to be receiving an overwhelming number of responses," he said.
Once received, the applications will be reviewed by a committee of students -- drawn from the Committee on Student Organizations, Student Assembly, the Graduate Student Association and the Collis Center Governing Board -- and administrators.
Group membership, visible annual contributions to the Dartmouth community and utilization of current and future space will all factor into the committee's recommendations.
The recommendations will then be submitted to Collis director Joe Cassidy, who will ultimately decide which organizations receive space in Robinson Hall.
Organizations currently housed in Robinson Hall will receive no preferential treatment in the application process, Connelly said.
"This year we're starting from scratch," he said.
