Samantha Pryor
[follow id= “sammpryor”]
The university is currently gathering facts on the events of last Saturday’s St. Fratty’s Day roof collapse, as well as working to incorporate student dialogue into the investigation, according to Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong.
“We’re discussing appropriate venues where we can foster discussion and healthy debate if needed,” he said. “Only the students can really make a difference. I believe our students will rally.”
The university will be holding a forum to discuss the incident on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Recreation Center’s Multi-Activity Center. Armstrong, Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey and ASI President Joi Sullivan will lead the forum.
Because the event was an off-campus unregistered party, the university awaits confirmation whether or not Greek life organizations were involved before taking further action.
“We will try to learn what happened and then we will go from there,” he said. “We don’t have the facts. We are still collecting information.”
The Greek life investigation falls under the Dean of Students Jean DeCosta and Humphrey.
Aside from examining Panhellenic and IFC involvement, Cal Poly has been working closely with the San Luis Obispo City government. Armstrong is encouraging the city to take action and change ordinances to prevent similar situations from happening in the future.
San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx has said she plans to bring up an ordinance banning gathering on rooftops.
The ordinance will need to be drafted by city staff, and both the public and city council members will have to weigh in before the ordinance moves forward, Marx said.
Marx said the city currently only has an ordinance against having furniture on rooftops.
“I’m concerned about safety,” Marx said.
Assistant City Manager Michael Codron is considering a wide range of aspects in order to make it clear to students and other members of the community that this type of behavior is unacceptable.
“We are looking to enforce our current ordinances that are investigating a variety of issues related to what occurred on Saturday morning,” he said. “We do expect to be following up with those responsible with what is allowed under the law.”
Revising ordinances and enacting additional regulations will be put on hold until the next city council meeting on March 17, Codron said, where officials will provide direction and authority in creating new regulations.
Until then, the city is looking at other code violations in and around the property to make sure the environment is safe for residents in that area.
Kyle McCarty contributed to this article.