Agreement on Community Living
Introduction
We, the residents of Morrissey Manor, recognize our collective membership in the community that is the Manor. Each year we gather together to take part in a very special experience. Manorites of different backgrounds, interests, and talents are what make the Manor special. Together we celebrate our differences and seek to learn from each other by immersing ourselves in the lives of one another. This unique spirit of fraternity and acceptance is what makes Morrissey Manor a community.
Respect for Others
As a community, we must hold in high regard the importance of each individual resident in the Manor. We recognize that our community is one represented by different races, faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. Thus, we strive to be a place of respect and kindness for all. Respect for the diversity of our community should extend particularly to speech and to any written materials posted in our dorm. This respect for others extends to all facets of community living, namely the spiritual, academic, service, social and common life of the Manor.
Spiritual Life
Reflection, prayer, and a rich liturgical life are important aspects of the Manor's tradition. As a Catholic institution, our Notre Dame campus and Manor community are places where faith can be celebrated. The teachings of the Gospel are the informing principle of our fraternal life. While our residents come from different faith traditions, everyone is welcome in our Chapel. Morrissey residents are encouraged to visit the Chapel for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and to join other residents of the dorm in the celebration of Holy Mass on Sunday and weeknights. The diverse spirituality of our community is of great benefit to Morrissey. Through learning about different faith traditions and schools of spirituality within the Catholic tradition, our own faith is strengthened.
Academic Life
As college students, our residential life should reflect a desire to learn not only through classes, but also living with one another. This learning is most apparent in the relationships fostered between the Freshmen and upperclassmen of the Manor. By counseling and tutoring one another, Manorites develop strong relationships that yield great benefits to the entire community.
In addition, we recognize the importance of creating an environment conducive to the pursuit of intellectual endeavors. Each evening at 10 P.M. we will make efforts to reduce the levels of noise in the Manor. The full observance of quiet hours commences with the end of parietals.
During examinations, Morrissey observes round-the-clock quiet hours with a specified time frame designated by the Rector for 'venting.'
In addition, the first and third floor study lounges and basement study lounge are places of quiet twenty-four hours a day. They should be kept neat and orderly to benefit the use of all.
Service Life
Members of the Morrissey community tend to be leaders in all aspects of life. Blessed with so many gifts, we feel compelled and privileged to serve others. We will continue to support the Slice of Life tutoring program with volunteers and the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Worker House with both our volunteerism and monetary contributions. In addition, all Manorites are encouraged to participate in serving the community in any one of many possible capacities, both through the Manor and through other campus activities.
Social Life
Social life is an important part of life in Morrissey. Because of its importance, it is imperative that our expectations are clearly laid out in regards to our party policy and alcohol policy.
Our hall should be a place where we can host parties and enjoy ourselves. Parties, however, should always be mindful of the common good. They should be occasions where social interaction takes place in a responsible and mature fashion. Manorites hosting a party assume many responsibilities. A host is anyone involved in the planning of a particular party, although any residents of the room who are present at the party are ultimately responsible for what takes place there.
Responsibilities of a Manorite hosting a party include an understanding of the following:
• University and Manor policies on alcohol use.
• The moral, physical, and legal aspects to drinking.
• Consistent with duLac and our desire to socialize in a mature and healthy manner, drinking games and ritualized drinking will not be tolerated in the Manor.
• Responsibility for one's guests.
• Accountability for parties which spill out into the hallways, intoxication, or excessive noise.
All parties must be registered with the Rector twenty-four hours in advance. Additionally, party hosts must meet with their section R.A. to review Manor policy on responsible partying. Total parties allowed in the Manor on any weekend night will not exceed five in number. Parties approved for other days of the week are deemed exceptional.
It is expected that all parties in Morrissey Manor will remain private affairs. Hosts should keep their guests from loitering in the hallway or moving from party to party.
A party is considered public when:
• There are people in the hallway.
• There is open alcohol in the hall.
• Guests or residents are publicly inebriated.
• Damage is done to Morrissey Manor.
We agree that if a party becomes public, the Hall Staff will handle it in the following manner:
• The R.A. will speak to the residents of the room, or the party host(s), to explain how the party has become public.
• The host will be given approximately fifteen minutes to make the party private again. This should be considered a warning.
• If a host needs assistance in getting rid of unwanted guests, the R.A. should be approached to offer support in this effort.
If the party is made private again, it is expected to remain private for the rest of the evening. If it does not become private within the fifteen minute time allotment, the party will be closed by hall staff. Likewise, if there are any displays of underage drinking or intoxication, the party will be closed.
Common Living
Mindful of our neighbors, quiet hours should be observed by turning off stereos, turning down our TVs, and talking quietly. Manorites returning to our hall during quiet hours should also be mindful of their neighbors.
We realize we owe much to our housekeepers in the Manor, as they keep our home a clean and comfortable place to live. We agree to cooperate with the housekeepers, especially regarding keeping the hallways clear. Hallways are not for storage of unwanted boxes, furniture, or other assorted junk. This is due both to fire regulations and our desire to maintain the general appearance of the place that is our home.
University policy strictly prohibits smoking inside the residence halls. To keep the Manor looking decent, smokers should throw their butts in the ashtrays located near the trash receptacles.
If you feel the need to cut your hair in the dorm, please do so on newspaper in the carpeted areas of the dorm. Please do not cut hair in washrooms.
Common Property
Much of what appears in our common space in the dorm must be used by two-hundred fifty Manorites. We agree to keep the lobby, lounge areas, food sales, bathrooms and other common spaces clean so they can be enjoyed by the entire hall community. In addition, we will treat our microwaves, TVs, ice machine, pool table, vending machines, and laundry facilities as if they were our own.
Each section should have one vacuum. If you wish to use the vacuum, give your I.D. to your R.A. in exchange for its use. This check-out policy will eliminate the costly disappearance of our common cleaning supplies.
We understand that we should remain off of the roofs of our dorm. This is both dangerous and damaging. Any student who violates this policy will face removal from the Manor.
Screens are costly to replace. Any Manorite who removes or cuts a screen will be held financially responsible for the damaged property.
Hall Staff
We believe that our Manor Staff is part of what makes Morrissey Manor unique. Our Rector, Assistant Rectors, and Resident Assistants are here to help us live as a healthy community. While Hall Staff has many roles - counselor, guide, disciplinarian, and friend, their role is primarily pastoral and educative. They are to encourage friendships and help residents be honest about the way they live together. They should also be actively involved in resolving conflicts between members of the dorm, and they should give counsel and encouragement to all members of our community.
Hall Council
We understand that our Manor Hall Council is a vital instrument for facilitating community life in the Manor and we encourage all Manorites to participate in it. We welcome the concerns of all Manorites by holding weekly meetings that are open to all residents. We agree to support with our elected officers and appointed representatives in partnership with Hall Staff working creatively to foster brotherhood within the Manor.
Conclusion
Through this agreement on community living, we recognize the role each of us plays in Morrissey and the residential life of Notre Dame. We pledge our involvement and dedication to building and furthering this brotherhood of Morrissey Manor.