The planning for the future continues. We held our first meeting with a group of counseling professionals and others as we began the conversation about a ministry to students who deal with addictive behaviors. The first meeting was very productive. We are working to begin offering Celebrate Recovery beginning this fall semester. We will be able to begin this initiative with our current facility and staff.

The conversation also included the possibility of forming a drug and alcohol free residential program at OU. We have a couple of strategic OU student affairs directors that have provided some direction to this discussion. This might be considered a long-term initiative, but it also could develop fairly quickly. This would require a significant capital expense to acquire a building, or God could provide a facility through a long-term lease. The operating expense for this initiative would be raised through the rental income generated.

 

An additional property could be purchased near campus to provide for the initial phase of a residential program. The following is a description of a 2:8 House-Residential Plan that could be implimented with the purchase of a former fraternity or sorority building.

Purpose--the 2:8 House will provide residential housing for 50 to 60 students at the University of Oklahoma. Student residents will commit to living in a drug and alcohol free living environment and to working 6 to 8 hours per week cooperatively with other residents.

Building--the house will include 25 to 30 bedrooms, possibly on two different floors and a large shared "public" living area. One or two private apartments will provide housing for paid staff. This building could be a former fraternity or sorority house.

Leadership--the leadership team will include a full-time director, a student resident assistant and a student leadership team. The student leadership team will be responsible to establish and enforce a house covenant with the assistance of the director and one or two resident assistants.

Budget--room and board fees paid by residents will provide the majority of the annual operating budget. Donations from individuals, grants and corporations will provide the necessary funds to provide for the purchase and/or long-term lease of the building.

Staff Needs--paid staff will include one full-time house director who will live in the house and one or two student resident assistant(s).

Management--the organization and structure of this house will be modeled after a scholarship hall at the University of Kansas. These halls have provided housing in a cooperative living environment to college students for the past 70 years.

Counseling Services--on-going counseling services will be made available to house residents. These services will be available either in-house or near the house. Residents may participate in Celebrate Recovery or other small group meetings at the house.