PLYMOUTH, N.H.–For the past week residents of Smith Hall have been under a new sanctioning system for dealing with in-hall damage caused by unknown individuals. This new “solution,” according to Smith Residence Director Sara Torbet, is only a secondary means for assigning responsibility to damage, only to be used if offenders can not be determined.
Unlike previous occurrences of vandalism, where if the vandals were unfound the entire building or floor would endure the financial consequences, two or three residents may now be held accountable for the actions of others. Damage within the community areas such as the lobby or stairwells will remain a community charge, but unclaimed damage that occurs on a specific floor will be assigned to two or three names of floor residents selected at random.
“We call it a solution,” stated Torbet on the new procedures, “because it’s not necessarily a policy, so to speak, it’s more of a solution to help with issues and concerns that may come up.” Torbet and her staff came up with the new idea after previous policies weren’t working. The building’s Hall Council is also included in the decision making process and is now discussing possible amendments to the solution. Torbet is asking her staff and residents to “think outside the box” when considering solutions.
A few of the residents have been obstinate about what they thought were somewhat radical changes and retaliated with protest and a petition, but their efforts failed with the unsuccessful rallying of students. According to Torbet, there hasn’t been great deal of dissatisfaction from the resident populace, and she hopes that it will turn out to be an advantage for students. “It’s a way to try and hold people more responsible for their actions and hopefully, in the long run, have people coming forth and taking responsibility because [the students are] going to move into other buildings and move out into the real world, and in the real world there are going to be community damages that you’ll have to pay for whether or not you were a part of it.” Torbet also hopes that this will help build community and get residents working together.
Some speculation has arisen regarding visitors to the building causing damage, but Torbet explained that are no more problematic now than they ever have been before. Visitors are not aloud in the building unescorted just as before, so an increase in damage is not expected to occur.
Support for the new solution has been plentiful from the Residential Life staff. Though Frank Cocchiarella, Director of Residential Life and Dining Services, admits that he is “concerned that the logistics of the plan might be complicated and make it difficult to be effective,” he is very supportive of the Smith Hall staff for “trying to be creative and trying to reduce damage.”
The new solution has not yet needed to be implemented, but Cocchiarella is hopeful of its results. “I’m very pleased that it created conversation between staff and students,” he continues. “I hope it produces results. A win-win situation would be nice.”