Preceptors

There is one preceptor to each floor except the basement, which counts as part of the first floor as far as preceptors are concerned. You need a preceptor if you have personal problems, you have roommate or floormate problems, or you have general figuring-things-out and getting-adjusted problems. If you have a conflict with someone else, it is best to try and discuss it directly with that person, but the preceptor is the next step. Don't bring your gripe to Hall Government -- person-to-person conflict resolution is not their business.

Residence Counselor (RC)

The RC supervises the preceptors and section leaders and oversees hall-wide programs and committee meetings. What does that mean? We're not sure. We're trying to find out.

Housing

Housing (supposedly) fixes broken and unsafe things in the building, although Housing workers have been known to move in mysterious ways. True example: A Demarite calls Housing to complain that her closet doors are off track and she can't open or close the closet. Housing's response: Remove the closet doors entirely and take them away without installing new ones. The closet remained doorless (and, hence, towelrackless) for the rest of the semester.

If you need something repaired in your room and your pleas for help are being ignored, have your parents call maintenance. Angry. You've never seen a repairman move so fast. Housing spends a good deal of time locking and threatening to lock various rooms against residents; please clean up after yourself and have respect for the building so other residents are not penalized.

Bishop House

See Demarest Hall. As long as Res Life controls Demarest sections and membership, Bishop House should be funding just about everything in Demarest, from Hall Government to your section project. You should not pay out of your own pocket without full reimbursement!

In case you get in trouble for an alleged violation of Housing policy or something of that sort, memorize this simple rule: DON'T SIGN ANYTHING. You do not have to sign anything unless you are absolutely comfortable with it -- and even then, you don't have to sign it. There are many trivial things for which you can be put on Housing Probation or worse. If you run into serious trouble and feel you have been wronged, there are two good defenses: (1) Have your parents call on your behalf. As already mentioned, this works wonders. (2) Mention your attorney. This is if you think your legal rights (freedom of speech, search and seizure, etc.) have been violated -- and if you have an attorney. Some misguided, coercive administrators use pressure tactics to get students to sign Housing-violation forms, but they tend to back down quickly in the face of real legal challenge. If they do pressure you, it's even better if (one-two) your parents mention the lawyer. Also, there is legal counsel available from certain campus organizations. If you're written up for a violation of which you simply are guilty, this is another matter. But in all cases, you are entitled to civil treatment, respect, and due process. You are never alone and you are never powerless.

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