COMMUNITY LIVING COORDINATOR (CLC)

DORM COORDINATOR (DC)

Ron Cooke, 2001

Northfield is more than a conference; during our week in June, the Conference exists also as a residential community. A blend of newcomers, young and old, families and singles share meals, hallways, and bathrooms. The CLC's overarching responsibility is to help make this residential experience as comfortable as possible for every Conferee.

Specific responsibilities:

- In the week before the conference contact the registrar to obtain the room list.

- From it recruit a team of Dorm Coordinators.

- Prepare a discussion outline for the Sunday Evening Orientation.

- Serve as a liaison between the Executive Committee and the Dorm Coordinators during the week, bringing to the EC any problems which may arise and communicating responses back to the DCs.

Selection of Dorm Coordinators:

The CLC needs to identify experienced conferees assigned from the room list for the different dormitory buildings to serve as DCs. Each dorm requires one Coordinator, with the exception of Gould, which should have three - one for each floor.

Sunday Evening Orientation:

The CDC should be in contact with the EC in early June to learn of any changes to the Conference rules, or any other item of information which should be shared at Orientation. The CDC should then prepare an outline of talking points for the DCs.

Responsibilities of the Dorm Coordinator:

- Leads the Sunday evening orientation, following an outline prepared by the CLC. This orientation will include introductions, discussion of conference rules, determination of a dorm bathroom policy, and other rules specific to each dorm (i.e. quiet hours)

- Make sure that every occupied room has name signs, that the bathrooms are accurately labeled male or female or co-ed, and that other signs, such as quiet hours, are posted in appropriate locations.

- Serves as a liaison between conferees and the CLC when housing-related problems arise - bed-boards, linens, excessive noise, etc. To this end, DCs are asked to post their general whereabouts on their room door.

Suggestions for Dorm Orientation Meeting, Sunday Evening

It is a good idea to begin the meeting by having participants introduce themselves and indicate how long they have been coming to Northfield, so that newcomers can identify those who could be helpful to them.

Points to cover:

1.Introduce yourself and give out your room number. Explain that you are the person to contact if they need furnishings such as bedboards (usually found in the basement of the building) and screens, or if they lock themselves out of their rooms, or have any similar problems.

Point out that only those who have ordered and paid in advance for sheets should take them.

2. Discuss whether bathrooms should be co-ed or single sex, followed by a vote, if necessary. (In the past, some dorms have been all co-ed, all single sex, a mix, or some single-sex during the day and co-ed at night.)

3. Talk about guidelines for living together at Northfield: adults taking responsibility for children even if they are not their own; no noise at night, either in or outside the buildings, no loud radios or tape decks when adults or children might be taking naps or late at night, no slamming of doors, keeping bathroom clean, etc.

4. Ask people to check their door handles, as each year some people lock themselves out. If it should happen, inform the DC or contact Campus Security.

5. Remind people that at the end of the Conference, or before they leave, they must strip their beds, fold blankets, take their pillow, blankets, rented sheets and towels to the storage spot in their dorm. They should empty trash and leave their rooms clean and tidy, AND PUT BACK ANY FURNITURE THEY MOVED. (This is particularly important, as we pay extra if it isn't done!)

6. Remind people that smoking is strictly forbidden in the school, or within 50 feet of any building. No candles or incense may be burned in rooms.

Kay Flanagan, 1999 - updated.