Empty dorm rooms damaged

Unsecured and empty dorm rooms on campus have been being used for hanging out and drinking throughout the spring semester, according to Major Kristine V. Seipel.

"Throughout the school year students are moved and re-assigned to different rooms for different reasons, and sometimes there are time delays and periods of times where rooms are left vacant," said Seipel.

For example, if two cadre members from the same room are moved out of the room because of an investigatory process, and because the university doesn't want to presume guilt, the room is kept empty until the investigation is complete, according to Seipel.

"So what has happened between students being moved is the rooms aren't being secured after students have moved out, or there is the possibility that the empty rooms are being broken into, which we know from talking to students, and there is evidence that drinking has been occurring in the rooms," said Seipel.

In addition to the rooms being used for drinking, damage has also occurred, Seipel said.

"The most disturbing of these cases is one room that was destroyed, furniture was taken apart and smashed, and the room was left in an unlivable condition," said Seipel.

This overall issue has been occurring this semester in Alumni Hall.

"The real thing that this goes back to is respect for the university and respect for your surroundings," said Seipel.

Damages that are occurring because of a few students are in turn going to create a higher dorm-damage fee for students at the end of the year unless individuals come forward.

"The damages that have occurred are still being assessed and the bill will come from facility operations, the bill could be anywhere from a couple dollars to a couple thousand dollars depending on the damage," said Seipel.

As of right now, the occupying of the empty rooms and the damage has stopped.

"I think this is due to the fact that people have become aware of the situation because there has already been an investigation on the issue as well as cadet leaders taking charge and doing something about it," said Seipel.

For privacy reasons regarding the investigation there are certain details and names that can't be disclosed.