TOWN AND GOWN COMPACT

On September 17, 1990 responsible representatives of each interested group endorsed this agreement. This agreement continues to be binding and valid.

Greek Organizations holding events at their chapter house will:

• Notify neighbors in writing at least 48 hours before any event.

• Give neighbors the name and telephone number of the responsible person for each event.

• Designate at least 1 monitor for every 25 people in attendance (minimum of 3 monitors) to enforce risk management guidelines at events who will be at the event during its entirety.

• Avoid throwing trash outside of house.

• Clean the house grounds and any surrounding areas including parking lots no later than 8:00 a.m. the following morning.

• Keep windows and doors closed during the parties.

• Refrain from displaying any inappropriate act outside, including urination, chanting, yelling, and fighting.

• Be allowed to begin parties as early as they wish, but are required to end parties by 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. 

• Observe both city and Winthrop University parking laws.

• Follow the states open-container law and keep alcohol out of public view.

• Move parties to designated areas by 10:00 p.m. (inside, front yard, or back yard).

• Continue to meet with city and university officials at the beginning of every academic year to review the laws.

• Appoint two students to the Town and Gown committee of neighbors, city and college officials, and owners to resolve conflicts.

• Complete an Event Notification form to be submitted online to the Coordinator of Greek Life by 5:00 p.m. two days in advance.  For a Monday or Tuesday night party, the request form must be submitted by 5:00 the previous Friday. 

• IFC will monitor all fraternity events according to the IFC bylaws.

Greek Organizations that hold events in residential locations other than the chapter house (Satellite House) will:

• Also complete an Event Notification form to be submitted online to the Coordinator of Greek Life by 5:00 p.m. two days in advance.  For a Monday or Tuesday night party, the request form must be submitted by 5:00 the previous Friday. 

• Also notify neighbors in writing at least 48 hours before any event.

• Attempt to refrain from any act that would reflect negatively upon the chapter, Greek Life, and the University, while trying to closely follow the guidelines laid out above.

~    A satellite house party is being defined as any party that is taking place at a house, other than the chapter house, that the majority of the residents are members of a particular Greek Organization and the simple majority of the chapter is present at the party. 

Property Owners will:

• Draw up leases that will address complaints of loud partying, establish rules on the length, frequency, and notification of the neighbors and police as laid out in this compact, and set guidelines for house and grounds upkeep.

• Post rules in an obvious location on the property.

• Regularly review city codes and upgrade property to meet current laws.

• Provide backyard parking if available.

Neighbors will:

• Be given procedures to follow in case of a housing code or zoning violation, or to file a noise complaint (telephone and online submitting options).

• First attempt to contact the organization (the #1 name and telephone number listed on the written notification) before calling the police.

• Be given a list of off-campus groups that sign this agreement.

• Be given a list of addresses and phone numbers of all Greek organizations that own or rent housing, including the property owners of the chapter house.

• Be allowed to receive copies of leases that contain specific restrictions.

• Be given procedures to follow when seeking a zoning change for their neighborhood that does not permit group housing.

• Stay in contact with the Greek house near them by serving on the Town and Gown committee.

Winthrop University will:

• Educate the Greek students, Greek organizations, and Winthrop police officers as to the provisions of the Town and Gown compact.

• Sponsor a meeting with Greek organizations, university and city officials at the beginning of every academic year to review this compact.

• Allow Greeks to park in designated on-campus lots during designated times     without Winthrop University decals.  Parking notices will be published in the Johnsonian and be viewable online at www.winthrop.edu/campuspolice/.

• Notify the University and Rock Hill police departments, chapter advisor, event notification committee, and the person submitting the request once the Event Notification Form has been submitted and approved by the Office of Greek Life.

• Have a no tolerance policy for noise and any other violations for any unscheduled, unapproved event, and that event will be immediately shut down. 

The City Will:

 

• Give interested citizens procedures to follow to report housing, building code, and zoning violations, to file a noise complaint (including telephone and online options), or to seek a zoning change in their neighborhood to eliminate Group homes.

• Enforce city and state alcoholic beverage laws.

• Randomly patrol problematic parking areas.

• Paint yellow curbs and post parking sings.

• Enforce off-street parking rules for group housing.

• Co-sponsor an annual meeting of the Town and Gown committee to take place at the beginning of every academic year and any called meeting as deemed necessary by the City of Rock Hill Police department Patrol Lieutenant.

• Educate personnel as to the provisions of the Town and Gown compact.

• Have a no tolerance policy for noise and any other violations for any unscheduled, unapproved event, and that event will be immediately shut down. 

Revised March 2004