On Tuesday, students living on the fifth floor of the Anderson north bridge were thrown into a chaotic mess after vandalism set off the floor’s sprinkler system. Residents must now not only replace their personal belongings, but also pay to repair the extensive damages to the floor itself. While many point to this as another example of AU not taking responsibility for its students, it remains unrealistic to expect the university to reimburse every student for an act of vandalism — no matter how destructive.
These residents deserve every ounce of our sympathy, but still the facts remain. On-campus residents all signed the Housing Agreement, releasing the university of responsibility for personal belongings damaged in such events. And though this agreement may seem a tad draconian to some, it is no different than lease agreements we will all sign once we move off campus. Landlords are not responsible for personal belongings, pure and simple. It’s a hard lesson to learn for those on Anderson’s fifth floor, but an important one nonetheless.
But before anyone deems these thoughts insensitive to the plights of AU students, there is still more that should be said.
Housing and Dining is hardly free of culpability in this incident. While students may need to pay for repairs themselves, Housing and Dining should have taken a larger role in reminding residents of this fact and insisting that they purchase renter’s insurance.
In an e-mail to The Eagle, Anderson Hall Resident Director Erin Genide stressed that Housing and Dining has always encouraged on-campus residents to insure their belongings through either their parents’ homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance. Yet an exploration of AU’s Housing and Dining Web site reveals no such encouragement. There is no document or Web page that explicitly promotes renter’s insurance for on-campus residents or provides resources easing its purchase.
Compare this to the Residence Life Web site of Villanova University. It explicitly states that students must have their own insurance if their personal property is to be covered. Not only that, but the site also provides links to over five separate agencies that offer the appropriate insurance. Villanova is not alone is offering such helpful material. Harvard, Princeton, Butler University, Elon University and even George Washington University provide similar resources to their students.
It may be true that Housing and Dining recommends renter’s insurance at New Student Orientation. Still, it is unrealistic to expect a large number of students to fully embrace information that at the time seems so inconsequential. Students need to be repeatedly reminded of its importance. Had Housing and Dining done this, perhaps more residents on Anderson’s fifth floor would have insured their personal belongings.
As it is, dozens of AU students must now attempt replace their laptops, clothes and furniture, while at the same time studying for midterms. Let this be a warning, AU residents. Buy insurance, protect your belongings.
