Kitchen

·         The vent hood uses lots of energy and blows cold air in during the winter, so turn it off when it's not in use.

·         When you are cooking for the house you must cook a vegan option.

·         Dumpstered items should be labeled as such and be kept separately from non-dumpstered items.  If you use dumpstered items in a dinner dish, you must label what it is in the dish that was dumpstered.  Dumpstered items should be stored on the lowest shelf possible in the fridge so that they do not drip dumpster juice on non-dumpstered items.

·         Beware the oven temperature readings.  Pay attention and use the oven thermometer since the dials often do not read the right temperatures.

·         Store meat in the personal fridges in the dining room.

·         Care of cast iron: Never use soap to wash cast iron cooking stuff.  Use water only.  Put it facedown on the stove so the pilot can dry it off.  When it's dry, oil it with some cheap oil and put it back up.  These very important devices help keep our cast iron from rusting.

·         Cooks may spend up to $10 (varies depending on overall budget) at Mifflin for special ingredients (we are not budgeted for cooks to do this every night, so use with discretion).

·         Meat may be cooked in the kitchen if you ask really nicely first and 1) no woks, cast iron pans, or wooden cutting boards are used and 2) everyone in the kitchen consents.

Substance Policies

·         Cigarette smoking is allowed in bedrooms only (not in common areas).

·         Before drinking alcohol in common spaces, ask those who are currently in commons if it's okay with them.

·         The house does not buy alcohol (not for parties, nor to use in dinner, nor for any other reason).

·         No drug dealing is allowed.  This is grounds for immediate termination of contract.

Parking

6 cars may be parked in the driveway for $28.50 per month (the first six people with signed contracts who own cars can have a space saved if they let the house know).

Pets

Five cats are allowed at Lothlorien without membershipping.  Any additional cats must be membershipped in.  Dogs (or any animal over 5 lbs) must be membershipped and must meet all cats before admittance. Any pet (other than cats and dogs) under 5 lbs. that stays in your room does not need to be membershipped.

Boycotts

The house follows certain boycotts (to be decided at house meetings).  These should be kept updated.  The house does not buy meat or meat products, “refined” sugar, bananas, coffee, chocolate, GMO products, Monsanto products, Dairy from cows injected with rBGH, or Tyson products.

House Buying Policies

·         The produce buyer acquires food from the garden if possible, from CSA and local produce venders otherwise, if possible.  

·         The house buys organic and from co-ops whenever possible.

·         The house does not buy bleached flour.

·         The house does not buy or use commercial cleaning products that are not biodegradable, such as bleach, comet, other nastiness, etc.  We clean with Dr. Bronner’s, baking soda and vinegar, Citrasolv, and other friendly cleaners that the supplies buyer buys. 

·          The house buys eggs of free roaming chickens whenever possible.

·         Bread is made and dumpstered.

·         Bulk food and some supplies come from Mifflin Co-op; produce from Roots and Fruits and the Farmer's Market; herbs, teas, and spices from Frontier Co-op and some online sources.

·         The house does not buy excessive paper products such as napkins, paper towels, etc.  (We do buy toilet paper, and organic cotton tampons and pads.)

·         Neither Maintenance nor Supplies Buyer may spend more than $25 on any one item without bringing it to a house meeting.

During the Winter

We do not turn on the heat until the house is weatherized.  Weatherizing a few windows in the house is a great way to get maintenance points.  Everyone is required to weatherize her/his own bedroom.

High Wattage

Any device that uses 1000 watts or more is not allowed in your room. Some of these items may include but are not limited to space heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, sun lamps and grow lights. It is very costly for the house when someone uses high wattage equipment. It also endangers lives because of antique wiring that could overheat and cause a fire. Anyone using such items will be fined $50 for the first offense and a $100 for each subsequent offense. This money will go towards the general operating funds.

Coffeehouses

Coffeehouses are a tradition in which we invite the community into our home to share each other's company and talents.  We brew up a bunch of coffee and tea, bake tasty goodies, and have an open mic for all sorts of performance.  Ambrosia, Nottingham, and Lothlorien co-ops alternate hosting a coffeehouse every month.

Clothing Optional

This is a clothing optional house, so don’t be surprised if you see folks walking around in the nude.  No one can make you put your clothes on.  If you are cooking for the house, you must wear clothes.  If you are cooking for yourself, feel free to do it in the buff, but always keep naked rears off of kitchen surfaces.  If a guest/crasher is nekkid, a member can at anytime ask them to put their clothes back on.

Garden

We have a great garden here, which anyone is invited to get involved in.  We often have vegetables and herbs in the garden that can make yummy additions to your dinner, so check out there before you buy something. 

Laundry

We have 2 washers and 2 dryers.  Be respectful of this space and get your stuff out when it's finished.  If you leave your clothes in the laundry room for ages (a few days), they might disappear to the free store.  Please don't use the loud dryer at night, to respect the people who live in the bedroom above it.

Supplies

Supplies can be found in the "Question Authority Closet" next to the mailboxes on the first floor.  If you see that we are running out of something, you can usually jot a note on a request list that is on the wall in the dining room.  Supplies that the house provides are basic household items you will need for cleaning and maintenance  PLUS: shampoo/conditioner, soap, tp, organic cotton tampons/pads, q-tips,  laundry detergent, and natural toothpaste.  Like anything else in the house, if you want the house to start or stop buying something, bring it to a house meeting.

Police

Police aren’t allowed in the house at all, unless, of course, they have a warrant.  Still refuse entry (for legal reasons if they find something).  This means they can come in, but we (legally) didn't consent to it.  If they must come in, remember to only escort them to and from the room they have a warrant for.

Crap Abandonment

Prior occupants of rooms can be charged for the cost to clean the room. The cost is the living wage in the city of Madison. ($12.50 per hour)

Random

·         No firearms.

·         TV is not allowed in common spaces. Movies can be watched in the Quiet Room.

      For More Information on House Upkeep Policy, please go here.

For More Information on House Procedures, Download our House Manual (in Word).