The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 36, No. 2 - 48

Burns B . Crookston

and, conversely, discouraging those actions and behaviors that do not contribute to, or that detract from community realization.

Power
In the residence IDC there are both internal and external sources of power. In a democratic group the source of internal power is inherent in each member, who gives up a portion of it to the community through the social contract. By means of this delegated power the community organizes to achieve its common goals, including a division of labor and the investing in certain individuals some power and responsibilities to carry on certain functions on behalf of the community. A community which is a microcosm of a larger social system is subject to its legitimate, external authority. State and local laws must be observed in the community and authorization to perform certain functions must be sought. Of critical importance is the agreement between the residential community and the college on the manner in which certain powers of the college are to be delegated to the community and which powers the college delegates to the resident staff (if any). Once agreement is reached the one must not have the power to intrude on the other. Thus the community negotiates with both the college and the staff who may serve on the nature and uses of institutional power vis à vis the internal autonomy of the community.

work to a few members or the paying of others to do it. In such cases the organization is used to avoid commitment rather than to achieve or express it. Work in itself can be satisfying and fulfilling. Unpleasant but necessary work can be managed, as Skinner (1948) suggested in Walden Two, by proportionate reinforcement. The extent to which the community should be responsible for such items as food and maintenance of physical facilities must of course depend upon the goals to be achieved and institutional capabilities or willingness to negotiate with the community.

Commitment
Carl Rogers (1969) defined commitment as a “total organismic direction involving not only the conscious mind but the whole direction of the organism....” Commitment is the mobilization of the affective-rational self toward community realization. It is more than the work,

There appears to be a direct relationship between energy output in service to the community and commitment to it . The failure of many residence groups in achieving community can be attributed largely to the shunting of work to a few members or the paying of others to do it. In such cases the organization is used to avoid commitment rather than to achieve or express it .

Work
There appears to be a direct relationship between energy output in service to the community and commitment to it. The failure of many residence groups in achieving community can be attributed largely to the shunting of

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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 36, No. 2

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