Welcome to the spring version of the Laurel House Alumni/ae newsletter! If you are new to the newsletter mailing list, the fall issue is available in a hypertext format on the Laurel House web site at: http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~laurel/alumf95.html. Finally, please forward this message to anyone who you think might be interested and is not already listed in the addresses above.
This semester the Laurel House Co-op and Laurel Net Cooperative home page was renovated. Enhancements included a division of major sections into separate pages, an updating of old links, and the addition of the way-cool Laurel House Virtual Tour, links to the current Austin time and weather, and visitor counters. All the materials previously included on the page were retained including on-line versions of the Laurel House Fact Sheet and Laurel House Meeting Schedule, links to members' home page(s), and links to other cooperative organizations like the National Students of Cooperation (NASCO) and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The virtual tour includes a wide variety of pictures of the house including photos of inside and outside areas, rooms, Booger, and Laurel House party pictures. The page has already begun to act as a primary marketing tool as demonstrated by several email contacts from prospective applicants without previous contact with the house. Hopefully, the inclusion of the page's URL in the College Houses mailing to prospective applicants will increase the number of hits on the site. Future plans for the page include a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, excerpts from exit survey results, sound samples, an on-line membership application form, hypertext copies of the Laurel House Annual Report, more information about cooperative principles, and addition of Netscape 2.0 features like frames and Java applets.
As usual, there was no lack of topics for discussion at membership meetings. Topics during this semester included:
Future policy development will probably include a grievance policy, a five year plan, and compilation of a comprehensive Laurel House Policy Manual (which some work was done on this year but is not yet completed). Finally, negotiations over the Laurel House/College Houses management agreement concluded and the document was approved by the external parties which had to review it. The management agreement was signed by representatives from Laurel House and College Houses during Fall 1995 and will continue for five years.
This year's changes in the kitchen were more structural than procedural.
One of the major changes was the replacement of the shelf behind the dishwashing
area with a set of the old walk-in shelves that had been re-coated. This
switch gives much more room for storing dirty dishes and has also allowed
us to store chemicals off of the floor. Bleach water use has been modified
with the introduction of spray bottles. The bottles are filled once every
couple of weeks with the correct concentration (approximately 100 ppm)
of bleach water, which ensures that toxic levels of bleach are not present
and that the water is always clean. This change has also received positive
feedback from users as being easier. Using this procedure, rags can only
be used once, but purchasing more and washing kitchen laundry twice a week
has remedied the situation.
The addition of an on-site, 30 gallon water heater has solved the hot
water problems that persisted with the new dishwasher/sanitizer. For the
first half of the year, we found that it was difficult to keep the machine
above the requisite 120 degrees, but the temperature now stays consistently
between 120 and 150. We also purchased a new microwave in February after
the old one gave out. The grease trap has been another major concern this
year. It appears to be pretty well rusted out, and it is also too small
for our needs. Hopefully we will be able to replace with a larger grease
trap sometime during the summer.
In the area of administration, a kitchen manual was developed and distributed
to members. This manual covers basic kitchen regulations for all co-opers.
A larger, more complete notebook was put together for use in the kitchen.
The kitchen notebook includes basic rules, the latest health codes, cooking
conversions and substitutions, and appliance instructions. During the first
semester, laminated signs were placed around the kitchen as reminders of
cleaning and storage guidelines, along with one that changed weekly as
needed.
The health inspector visited twice this year, and we did well both
times, scoring 87 and 90, respectively, thanks to the conscientious participation
of all members. Finally, at the suggestion of the Laurel House BOD, the
house voted to change the kitchen manager's term so that it begins in May,
rather than in August. This change will take affect with the next kitchen
manager, and, we believe, will give the advantage of learning the job during
the calmer summer terms.
The greatest concerns of the Spring Semester were our health inspection and the day-to-day performance of labor in compliance with health codes. College Houses performed a mock health inspection which initially caused a great deal of concern after a very low (though passing) grade. Sandra worked with Courtney, our Kitchen Manager, to provide greater instruction and example to House members concerning health codes. Although somewhat time consuming and redundant at times, the work resulted in a success as we passed our next inspection with a score of 90.
The Spring Labor Holiday was later than usual, due to a number of schedules concerns for house members and the Labor Czarina. However, this Labor Holiday ran very smoothly. Members were able to enjoy relatively little alteration in their weekend schedules. We continued the precedent of having an ice cream party and a pizza party. Planning took into account the time needed for cleaning up after projects and the house quickly "recovered" from Labor Holiday. Residents:
We only had one problem with lack of completion. The 1907 deck- side stair steps were scheduled to be replaced. However, when the first step was removed, it was determined that the stair supports also needed to be replaced. It seemed unnecessary to place new steps on the old supports, when the entire staircase could be replaced at one time. While there is no immediate danger to residents, the supports should be replaced within the next year with CIP money from College Houses. The Labor Czar and Director agreed that this was a job that needed to be done by professionals, not only for safety, but also for speed.
At our May party, after the last day of classes, Sandra "passed on the whip" to our incoming Labor Czarina, Susannah Engquist. Hopefully, this and other "passings" from the old officers to the new will become a tradition. Sandra and Susannah will continue to work on training so Susannah will be ready to assume her new role at the beginning the summer contract period.
"Pleased to Meet You" (06 Feb 1996)
Welcome, welcome to all new Laurel House members! This is your newsletter,
so use it? Keep me informed about your lives. Are you presenting at a conference?
Bend my ear. Getting married? Lay it on me. Running for the U.S. Congress?
There's no such thing as bad publicity. Sex change? I'm your mouthpiece
of transgender pride. Without further ado, Laurel newbies are the following:
AMER LATIF, from Islamabad, Pakistan, Austin native EDIE MESSICK, JAROSLAV
BOUCEK of Prague, MARGARITA TERAN of Mexico City, MICHELLE ROBLEDO of Edinburg,
Texas, TITO LAUREL of Laredo, and VICKY TSAI, all the way from Taipei.
Also give a hearty hello to our new associate, Patty Griggs's main squeeze,
RAFAEL SEGOVIA of Dallas. [Editor's note: ALEX IVANOV from Bulgaria, SAM
ABUHAMDEH of Austin, SUSANNAH ENGQUIST of Austin, and, former Laurelian,
MARY KING of Austin, moved in later on during the semester.]
"Sandberg and Rod to Wed!" (06 Feb 1996)
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rod and Dr. Glory Sandberg and Dr. and Mrs. Russell
Sandberg are pleased to announce the engagement of their children, Jennifer
Elaine Rod and Jason Thomas Sandberg. The couple plan to marry on January
4, 1997 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona. Both the
bride and groom are residents of Laurel House, where, you guessed it, they
met. Jennifer is our terrific menu planner and a graduate student at the
College of Education. Jason makes a mean Taco Day, and studies government
of the ex-Communist world. Let's join Jennifer and Jason's proud families
in congratulating them and wishing them the best of luck and happiness
in their lives together. Way to go, kids!
"Socialism in Action" (29 Feb 1996)
We scheduled Labor Holiday, comrade. The Party suggests you make an
appearance. Labor czarina SANDRA FUENTES suggested Mar. 16-17. Because
so many Laurelians would not be back from Spring Break, the Membership
decided on Mar. 30-31. The major project will be a fence alongside 1907
to stanch the flow of cut-through traffic involving menacing-looking persons
(the good-looking will be rerouted). If you can't be there, think ahead,
and tell Sandra so that she can assign you makeup drudgery.
"Jason Gets a Shower" (09 Apr 1996)
So that's what that smell was, yuk, yuk. But seriously, folks, the
original co-op sweeties (JASON SANDBERG and JENNIFER ROD) are having a
party on Sat. at 2:30 in the courtyard to celebrate impending nuptials.
People have asked if they are welcome without a present: answer, of course.
SANDRA FUENTES is in charge, if you want to help.
"We Let in the Riffraff" (09 Apr 1996)
Lately the Membership has been discussing some changes to application
review. At the Mar. 6 meeting, we discussed the fairness and politesse
of such questions as "How are you going to pay the rent?", which
several people believed too invasive for open talk. At my suggestion, the
Membership voted to require prospectives to fill in the non-essay parts
of the green application before the meeting so that we get consistent,
(it is hoped) reliable answer to the income question every time.
"Lost in the Ether" (09 Apr 1996)
Ever notice how the computers on campus download porno faster than
ours? Ya haven't? Well, trust me... the reason for this is that they are
wired directly to the server (i.e., not through modems) through a system
called Ethernet. A coupla companies around town are vying to wire our very
own lovely COLLEGE HOUSES for Ethernet. Don't get your briefs in a knot
just yet, however, because prices and timing are still up in the air, but
NESHTIKIN BYRAM and other board members are trying to get us the best deal
possible.
This year I had the opportunity to chair the College Houses Board of Directors. This proved to be a bit more involved than I had originally been told, and the result was a division of my time between the house and the entire co-op. My term as chair went well, and the Board ran rather smoothly.
At the house level, the most distinctive element of the year was a large turn-over in officers. Beatrice Lurquin, who began FY 1995 as Labor Czar, moved back to Belgium and Sandra Fuentes took her place in September. Dan Schneider left the Maintenance Coordinator’s office in March as he withdrew from the University and moved out of town. Jerry Chavez took his place.
Maintenance has been generally good this year. Many projects were handled by the labor holidays, and other items that had been on our CIP list were taken care of through our maintenance and F&F account on our own initiative, such as getting gutters for the house and replacing the downstairs 1905 hallway lights. We also finally finished the work for our city inspection in the summer.
I have been reelected for FY 1996, and as part of my goals for the year, I hope to encourage and help the house in the following areas: establishing a 5-year plan for the house, raising awareness about sexual harassment, finishing the lengthy process of creating an LH policy book, reworking the social coordinator and education coordinator’s job descriptions, develop a garden plan for the grounds and continue to help members and officers provide a safe and comfortable house in which to live.
We apologize in advance if we left out any important announcements about anyone-- these are just items we've heard in random, roundabout ways. If you have an announcement about yourself or others, please contact the editors at the addresses below.
We hope this newsletter was useful and/or interesting to you. If you would like to make contributions, please send a message using the contact information below. We hope that you have happy, healthy, safe, and cooperative summer.
Director Warren Fincher
Food Buyer Chris Koenig
Treasurer Suzanne Marrs
Maintenance Coordinator Dan Schneider (Sep 95-Mar 96)
Jerry Chavez (currently)
Labor Czarina Beatrice Lurquin (Summer 95)
Sandra Fuentes (currently)
Membership Coordinator Ron Kumon
Kitchen Manager Rachel Pooley (June 95)
Courtney Ward (currently)
CH Board Rep Neshtikin Byram
CH Subcommittee Rep Ricardo Guerrero (Summer 95)
Michelle Botello (Jan 96-Mar 96)
Patricia Griggs (currently)
Menu Planner Pete Haney (Summer 95)
Heidi Cooper (Sep-Oct 95)
Jennifer Rod (currently)
Newsletter Rep Matt Corey
Education Comm. Rep Holly Moore (Fall 95)
Tony Stanco (Spring 95)
Social Events Coordinator Tony Stanco
Director Warren Fincher
Food Buyer Chris Koenig
Treasurer Suzanne Marrs (Summer 96)
Amer Latif (Fall/Spring 96/97)
Maintenance Coordinator Jerry Chavez
Labor Czarina Susannah Engquist
Membership Coordinator Ron Kumon (Summer 96)
Kitchen Manager Courtney Ward (Summer 96)
CH Board Rep Neshtikin Byram
CH Subcommittee Rep Patricia Griggs
Editor: Ronald Kumon
Contributors: Ronald Kumon, Courtney Ward, Matt Corey, Sandra Fuentes,
Warren Fincher
If you have any contributions or comments, please email them to laurel@uts.cc.utexas.edu. You may also send comments via the LH Web site at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~laurel/. Of course, "snail" mail contributions in the form of letters and postcards are always welcome too at 1905 Nueces, Austin, TX, 78705 or calls at (512) 480-0605. Anyone who wishes to be added to or deleted from the mailing list, should send a message to the house email address above.