Damages due to disrespect

There are certain standards that students are expected to uphold throughout their four years at Boston College. BC students, like those at any other university, have a responsibility to respect both the facilities and the people on campus. This expectation is especially relevant to students living in residence halls.
 There are unavoidable consequences to be expected when housing large numbers of undergraduates on campus. Hundreds of students, the majority of whom range in age from 18 to 22, living together in one building will almost always result in some damage. Late nights, parties, and general foolishness are prevalent in college culture, and damage to residence halls is bound to occur.

However, there is a fine line between accidental damage and vandalism that results from disrespect. When students, no matter how few in number, purposefully begin to wreack havoc on the floors and in the stairways of BC's residences halls, the entire community is affected.

 In particular, Walsh Hall, which houses over 800 sophomore students, was hit with a wave of vandalism last semester. Students punched out ceiling tiles on numerous floors, bashed holes in walls, and executed various childish pranks, such as setting off a fire alarm at 4 a.m. While these shenanigans may have proved to be amusing to these students at the time, the damages amounted to an astounding $60,000 that BC was forced to pay for after just one semester.

 During floor meetings at the beginning of the current semester, resident assistants informed students living in Walsh that if the vandalism continued, they would have to cover any expenses incurred from repairing damages even if they personally were not responsible. This threat by ResLife is unfair to the students that did not cause any damage and will most likely not stop the vandalism from occuring.

 The Heights recognizes that the overwhelming majority of BC students are respectful, mature, and hardworking individuals. It is the actions of a minority of students that weakens the living environment and creates headaches for others. These acts of vandalism are not just inadvertent mistakes – they are premeditated with the intent to damage in mind. These individuals should recognize that BC residence halls are not solely at their disposal, but rather are shared living spaces that must be treated as such. Residence halls are students' homes away from home. Most people would not behave this way in the comfort of their own home, and other students should not be subjected to this juvenile and thoughtless behavior.

 All BC students should not be held responsible for the actions of a minute number of students. ResLife should not expect every student to pay for the destructive acts carried out by a select few simply because ResLife has failed to enforce their policies.  The Heights implores these individuals to stop and think before deciding to commit acts of vandalism. After reflection, if they still insist on breaking the rules and disrespecting the BC community, these students should be punished accordingly. The expectation to behave maturely and with respect is not asking for too much.