2008 Woodie Awards
Cougar grill ban reversed
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
Cougar Village residents can sift through the trash or go home to retrieve their grills as a new policy went into effect Sunday, ending the month and a half grill-out at the apartment complex.
"We plan on using our grill a lot," sophomore Colt McLeod said. "We already used it the first night we got it back."
Director of Housing Michael Schultz altered the policy that went into effect early last month on a trial basis for the remainder of the academic year.
"We are going to be looking to see if we have any issues with it and go from there," Schultz said.
The original grill ban went into effect because of safety concerns and damages in Cougar Village. University Housing had been looking into the situation for several years and Schultz decided that banning grills was the best resolution.
Under the new policy, charcoal barbeque grills are allowed for use 15 feet from the buildings, but are not to be used inside or on the balconies of apartments.
"We went back and looked at all the facts and a majority of the incidents (with grills) were on the second floor," Schultz said. "The only problems we have had on the first floor were coals on the grounds and the way people were storing their grills.
"There was no way we were going to allow grills on the second floor."
Gas grills are still prohibited under the new policy.
During the time residents were rendered grill-less, University Housing promoted the use of community grills.
"No one ever wanted to use the grills outside because they were all dirty," sophomore Mike Vogel said.
With the situation resolved, residents are pleased with the end result and feel that using grills should be something that comes with maturity and apartment living.
"It's a really good thing to finally have our grill back," Vogel said. "We are old enough to control ourselves."
Student responsibility was also something Schultz could not ignore.
"Students felt that we were taking freedoms away and we were not treating them like adults," Schultz said.
Vogel is happy with housing's decision, and thinks that a few mistakes should not affect everyone.
"Just because two or three students mess up and cause a miniature fire or two doesn't mean we all should be punished for it," Vogel said.
Policies at other institutions were researched by Schultz, but played a minor role in the ultimate decision.
"What we got was a mixed bag," Schultz said. "Grills are allowed at some universities and are not at others."
Despite restrictions at other universities, McLeod is pleased to have his grill back.
"I like that we can actually have grills now because it takes away from the experience of Cougar Village," McLeod said. "It is just a convenience to have them back."
"We plan on using our grill a lot," sophomore Colt McLeod said. "We already used it the first night we got it back."
Director of Housing Michael Schultz altered the policy that went into effect early last month on a trial basis for the remainder of the academic year.
"We are going to be looking to see if we have any issues with it and go from there," Schultz said.
The original grill ban went into effect because of safety concerns and damages in Cougar Village. University Housing had been looking into the situation for several years and Schultz decided that banning grills was the best resolution.
Under the new policy, charcoal barbeque grills are allowed for use 15 feet from the buildings, but are not to be used inside or on the balconies of apartments.
"We went back and looked at all the facts and a majority of the incidents (with grills) were on the second floor," Schultz said. "The only problems we have had on the first floor were coals on the grounds and the way people were storing their grills.
"There was no way we were going to allow grills on the second floor."
Gas grills are still prohibited under the new policy.
During the time residents were rendered grill-less, University Housing promoted the use of community grills.
"No one ever wanted to use the grills outside because they were all dirty," sophomore Mike Vogel said.
With the situation resolved, residents are pleased with the end result and feel that using grills should be something that comes with maturity and apartment living.
"It's a really good thing to finally have our grill back," Vogel said. "We are old enough to control ourselves."
Student responsibility was also something Schultz could not ignore.
"Students felt that we were taking freedoms away and we were not treating them like adults," Schultz said.
Vogel is happy with housing's decision, and thinks that a few mistakes should not affect everyone.
"Just because two or three students mess up and cause a miniature fire or two doesn't mean we all should be punished for it," Vogel said.
Policies at other institutions were researched by Schultz, but played a minor role in the ultimate decision.
"What we got was a mixed bag," Schultz said. "Grills are allowed at some universities and are not at others."
Despite restrictions at other universities, McLeod is pleased to have his grill back.
"I like that we can actually have grills now because it takes away from the experience of Cougar Village," McLeod said. "It is just a convenience to have them back."
Be the first to comment on this story