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New restrictions on FSILG roof deck use

New restrictions on FSILG roof deck use

On Thursday afternoon, Fraternity, Sorority, and Independent Living Group presidents received an email from Assistant Dean of FSILGs Marlena Martinez-Love, Senior Associate Dean for Students Henry J. Humphreys, and Chair of the Association of Independent Living Groups Steve Baker ’84 stating that, effective immediately, the use of all roof decks should cease pending inspections by the presiding city. In addition, all FSILG events may not host no more than three times the legal occupancy listed on their dormitory license until an agreement is reached with the cities on assembly occupancy. These restrictions come on the heels of an MIT freshman falling four stories through a skylight of Phi Sigma Kappa, which was accessible from an uninspected roof deck. (The freshman sustained no life-threatening injuries.)

The email stresses that even if roof decks clear inspections, they will be available solely for use by residents, and never to be used to host social gatherings.

“Based on recent events, the city of Boston has expressed serious concerns about the size and use of FSILG residential facilities and the use of non-permitted roof decks,” the email reads. “The City has put MIT and the AILG on notice about these concerns and has asked that we address them immediately and reconvene with the City in one month to demonstrate progress on implementing proper safety measures for roof deck access and the size of social events.”

To review criterion for permitted assembly size, all property owners must submit documentation to their respective city for review. If the documentation is not submitted, including egress plans and how the numbers were derived, any number of guests beyond the current residential occupancy listing may be prohibited.

No matter what the occupancy listing, until the building owners of roof decks also supply supporting documents that a permit was pulled at the time of construction and that it meets the codes in the place at the time that it was built. Social events will only be permitted if higher levels of assembly codes are met, including but not limited to, elevator access, emergency lighting, and two points of egress. Because very few FSILG roof decks meet these specifications (most houses do not even have elevators), it is unlikely that many of them will be up to code to be cleared for use during social gatherings.

—Stan Gill



6 Comments
1
Anonymous about 11 years ago

Drunk freshman injured while jumping trampoline-style on a skylight in an isolated incident? Yes let's ban all social activities on all roof decks. Classic FSLIG administration problem solving in action. Way to go guys, you nailed it.

2
Tracy Hall about 11 years ago

As painful as the entire country's descent into fear and doubt has been, it is that much worse to see the FSILG administration lead the retreat from the world. Even as I facetiously propose "no strikes and you're out" - simply imprison the entire population "for their own safety" - it seems the administration has already taken those steps.

It is not the role of any administration to act as parents of toddlers, continuously "afeared" of any possible threat, real or imagined, likely or astronomically unlikely, self-inflicted or not. Yes, bad things will happen - both at the 'tute, and in the real world. How can we possibly expect students to be ready for it if this Cloistered policy continues?

3
Anonymous about 11 years ago

This has nothing to do with the FSILG, it's all the City of Boston. Put the blame where it's deserved instead of just making dumbass comments about things you don't know about.

4
Anonymous about 11 years ago

does this change anything? The party phi sig had was illegal already. this letter just says it's still illegal.

5
David Tyler Hunt '04 about 11 years ago

I'm not sure I understand what's going on here. Why is Boston talking to MIT instead of to the relevant FSILG's that fall under their jurisdiction?

I suspect what's really going on here is that Boston is seeking remedy beyond what is available to them according to law; that is, to find a way around any existing variances, or to impose limits not supported by occupancy limitations on buildings based solely on their status as an FSILG associated with MIT.

Does anyone have more information here?

6
Anonymous about 11 years ago

David, all FSILGs fall under the jurisdiction of an office at MIT. They cannot be FSILGs without MIT.