Students responsible for a fire in Bromley Hall last quarter might have to pay for damages to university property, Ohio University officials said.
Damages to the building cost an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 and were largely caused by the sprinkler system that extinguished the fire, said Harry Wyatt, executive director of Facilities Management, adding that the system worked as designed.
The university is very interested in making sure the responsible party or parties pay for damage
said Richard Carpinelli, associate vice president for Budget and Operations. For us not to pursue that would mean that everyone would have to share in the replacement or the repair of damage to property in the building and that just doesn't seem fair to me.
A final damage report will be available by the end of the quarter, Wyatt said. OU will reach a decision about charging the students after reviewing the report, Carpinelli said.
A heat lamp over two geckos in a closet started the blaze in a room on the sixth floor on March 5. Sprinklers flooded several rooms on that floor with about an inch of water, which trickled down as far as the basement in some areas.
Owning heat lamps and non-aquatic pets violates OU policy. Marijuana was also found in the room. Although the students were not charged by the OU Police Department, Carpinelli would not comment on any judicial charges.
OU's insurance policy does not cover the cost of personal items damaged in a residence hall. OU President Roderick McDavis created a review committee to identify and reimburse hardship cases defined as damage or loss that substantially interferes with a student's ability to continue with academic commitments due to a financial inability to repair or replace property that was damaged or lost in the committee's report.
Bromley residents were notified about the committee via e-mail and were asked to complete an electronic application listing the description and cost of damaged items, along with information about personal insurance policies.
Of about 460 residents in Bromley, nine responded with claims ranging from designer clothing to textbooks, totaling almost $1,400. Two students returned incomplete forms and did not respond to e-mails asking them to complete the application.
It was surprising that we received so few applications Carpinelli said. I think people recognize that
while their loss is significant
maybe it didn't rise to the level of hardship.
The committee decided to reimburse two students with money from the department of student affairs. Senior Alexander Moulton will receive $60 for a ruined textbook.
Danielle Bernat, a member of the forensics team, received $50 for a garment bag used for competitions. Her application listed numerous damaged clothes and asked for $535.50 in compensation. Bernat, a sophomore, said she consulted a lawyer and plans to appeal OU's decision.
I am aware that other people lost their things as well
but the fact of the matter is the stuff that got ruined for me I will have to pay for myself
no one will help me
Bernat wrote on her application.
The committee's decision cannot be appealed, Carpinelli said. He added that he had spoken to Bernat about the matter and although she was free to consult legal counsel, I don't think it's going to have any bearing on the president's decision about this.
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