The Brown Ropes Course, located in Bristol and popular among student groups for team-building exercises, has been closed to new reservations since the beginning of the summer following the departure of Fran Lo '97, who coordinated the ropes course among other duties in the Student Activities Office and Office of Student Life.
Former Director of Student Life Jean Joyce-Brady closed the ropes course to reservations over the summer, after Lo left in July for a position in Seattle. Joyce-Brady left the University earlier this month.
Since the ropes course was closed, the Student Activities Office has received four requests for ropes course events. Summer Studies did use the ropes course this summer, but the uses had been planned before the decision was made to stop making new reservations.
Dean Robin Rose is trained as a coordinator for the ropes course and was involved in the development of the course. But because she now has so many other jobs to do after Lo's departure, she does not have time to lead sessions at the ropes course, she said. Each group that goes to the ropes course must meet with the coordinator in advance to resolve logistical matters and ensure that the group is prepared for the event.
About 15 students and staff are currently trained as facilitators for the ropes course - but the course coordinator is required to be present at every ropes course session. The coordinator's role is to explain to the participants what the program is about, to talk to them about their goals, and make sure there is a good match between their goals and the program. They also must train new facilitators, go through health forms and waivers and make sure that the course is safe for use.
"The plan is to get right back on track with (the ropes course) as soon as possible and get groups out there this fall as well as this spring," said Rose, who is the director of leadership for Summer and Continuing Studies. Usage into November is only a possibility if the fall is unseasonably warm. Otherwise, the course probably won't be available for use until April.
The ropes course was constructed in Spring 2003 on Brown's Haffenreffer property in Bristol. It was conceived as a place for participants in summer programs and student groups to learn about teamwork and problem solving.
"Ropes courses and group initiative activities can be used very effectively for educational purposes, not just recreation," said Rose. "Each activity itself is neutral, so the discussion is focused on 'how are we going to do that together,' then stepping back and asking 'how did we do that, and how can we apply that to other parts of our lives?'"
The ropes course was originally designed for use by student groups and summer programs, but sports teams and academic departments have also used it to help develop group cohesiveness, Rose said. It had been popular since its opening during the summer of 2003.
Though the ropes course is currently unavailable, groups that want to do the ropes course do have other options for Brown-organized team-building events.
Team BOLT, run through the Brown Outdoor Leadership Training program, does group initiative exercises that don't require going out to the ropes course. Team BOLT typically conducts its programs in a dorm lounge or on the Main Green.
Ricky Gresh, who became the director of student activities this summer, is working with Rose to find a permanent replacement for Lo. They will be getting input from both students and staff during the hiring process before making a final decision, Rose said.
In the meantime, both Rose and Gresh want to get the interim position filled as soon as possible.
"It's a fabulous learning opportunity," Rose said of the ropes course. "It's a terrific way to teach people about learning in groups."
