6
Tuesday, July 18, 1972
University Summer Kansan
Time Limited for Occupants Of Old Fraternity House
converted to a makeshift dining room. Meals are a leisurely affair and offer another chance for conversation.
The old kitchen takes on a home atmosphere for Cathy, Diana, Hoseng, and Carol as they have a rap session at the table while supper is being prepared. Each of the occupants takes
a turn preparing the meal for the group. The kitchen has become the central meeting area for all gatherings and meals.
The members of Community Cooperative Research in Educational and Developmental Innovation Technology, Inc. (Community CREDIT) learned that the buildings they are living in is standing and they expect to be notified to vacate in the near future.
Community CREDIT is a non-profit organization founded by Jim Cooley of Salinas and Saadi Khashi of the graduate students in human development and family life. The corporation established their first fraternity house at 1329 W. Mth. leased the building for one dollar a month from the owners who 'probably write it off for tax purposes.' However, since the building is being sold members of the community discussed plans for its future which to continue their lifestyle.
Members of the community pay rent for their rooms and a monthly food bill. The rent pays the bills, such as utilities, and the cost of the tenancy fund to make improvements within the community. Two members make the rent for the entire group.
THE COMMUNITY was the research project by Cooley and Lairuw to study community life. But, as one member said, "it's much too time to do research lately, but this is still just a great place to work."
According to Cooley, the turnover of people has been very great. Some people stay a very long time and come back there several months, he said. Anyone may enter the community, and as a result there has been a great cross section of people that have come through, he added.
Household responsibilities are shared among all. The 15 members sign up to take turns preparing the evening meal, which range from plain fried chicken to 'drunken' meatloaf. All members are randomly assigned cleanup jobs around the house.
"AT TIMES this place has been a real circus. Some people didn't want to do the work and didn't get along with the others, but with the group we've got now it's really good." Cooke said. "Everyone does one of the work and everyone gets along great."
The community is also interested in helping other people, teach them about the benefits dances, such as one held recently to raise bail for those arrested on the latest raid of a bank robber in Miller, exemplify this attitude.
The overall mood at community CREDIT is very mellow. Its location on the hill provides a quiet place, which is hard to imagine existing in the center of Lawrence. The people living there add to this feeling. They openness, friendiness and kindness is a refreshing experience.
The empty first floor at left, is a specter of things to come. The community recently learned their house is being sold and within a few months the entire neighborhood is halving. While the community still exists they find it necessary to padock their doors to guard against intrusion. Signs on the house a mode of communication group, with notes left for the different occupants if they are out.
Photos and Text by Steve Craig