Ropes Incident Homework Assignment

Green College is a private, four-year liberal arts college. Green College’s Residence Life policies require that students under 21 years of age live in one of the residence halls on campus. Under the same policy, the only requirement for living in the on-campus residence halls is that the students be currently enrolled at Green College. While another Green College policy forbids both on-campus and underage drinking, underage drinking is common in the residence hall at Green College. As a matter of practice, Green College only enforces its on-campus or underage drinking policies when it occurs outside the residence halls.
Richard Ropes is a 30-year-old sophomore currently enrolled at Green College and living in one of the coed residence halls on campus. After Ropes was admitted, the vice president of student affairs was informed that Ropes had served six years in prison for assault and drug charges. However, based on advice from the residence hall director, Ropes was allowed to enroll at Green College and live in one of the on-campus residence halls. Prior to last Saturday, he has not caused problems for the residence hall staff or anyone else; he has been a model student.
Following a big soccer match last Saturday, Ropes was invited by several residents of his dorm to a party in one of the resident’s rooms. Ropes brought a six-pack of beer, as did several of the other students, all the rest of whom were under age 21. During the party, a dispute developed over one of the plays in the soccer match. One of the younger students shouted at Ropes and taunted him, calling him “old man.” Ropes responded by striking the student in the face several times, causing severe facial injuries and permanent disfigurement.
The injured student’s parents have sued Green College, its trustees, the president, the vice president for student affairs, and the residence hall director, a 23-year-old graduate student. The parents argue that the college should have advised all occupants of the residence hall that Ropes was an ex-felon, and that allowing Ropes to live with “young, impressionable students” was inappropriate and evidence of gross negligence.

Prepare a 2 page memorandum that covers the following:
• Advise the president and trustees of the likelihood of these parents prevailing in court.
• Discuss any revisions that Green College should make to its policies regarding residence halls or student conduct.