Minimal fee imposed on Blumel, Broadway residents

Residents of the Broadway Building and Joseph C. Blumel Hall can soon expect to be charged a small fee due to recent vandalism in the residence halls.

In the Broadway Building there was extensive damage to one wall, apparently from being kicked-in, as well as an elevator covered in the exhaust from a fire extinguisher. The damages totaled approximately $900 in cleaning bills and repairs.

Blumel Hall suffered a different type of vandalism, with the appropriation of the hall’s vacuum cleaner. Although a petty theft, it was enough to disturb the Residence Housing Association. The total replacement cost was $99.

As a first response to the vandalism, the RHA hosted a series of events and workshops focusing on community respect in hopes of preventing further issues. The RHA recently discussed whether to charge the fee to the students, or take on the cost from the RHA fund, which is already dwindling this time of year.

Usually there would be no question as to the administration of this debt, but these particular damages took place over PSU’s spring break, a time when students tend to leave campus for extended periods.

RHA Vice President Shawna Barnett seemed especially perturbed over the recent vandalism.

“Community damage has fallen into our laps, so we need to take the initiative,” Barnett said. “There needs to be a conversation of how damages are being handled over extended breaks.”

There are privacy issues involved with inquiring as to students’ break schedules, leaving RHA to handle the debt as though all students were responsible.

The total cost to Broadway residents living in the building as of March 28 will be approximately $2, a paltry sum considering the damage. Blumel students will be charged approximately 1 cent each for the stolen vacuum.