CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
Sophomores Mark Lindley and Rob Wiegard woke at 6 a.m. Nov. 6 to the sound of water dripping. But it wasn't a typical rainy Monday. They got up to find hot water coming from the ceiling in front of the closet in their room in Davis House.
"I knew immediately something was wrong," Wiegard said.
The newly renovated residence halls on the Quad have been flooded three times this month by leaking hot water pipes, the result of an error by the installation company in programming the new computerized heating and cooling system.
Before students arrived in August, the system was tested to ensure the safety of the building. By mistake the temperature was set too high, allowing the water to overheat, expanding the pipes and causing leaks. The source of the problem was not discovered until the third accident.
The first leak started at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 in Davis 305E, an electrical and computer closet, and poured through the ceilings of both rooms directly below. Only the electrical system was affected, so only the electrical contractor came to assess the situation -- and paid no attention to the leaky pipes.
At 10:20 p.m. Nov. 5, a pipe leaked in the attic of the annex connecting Efird Residence Hall and Taylor House. The leak soaked the belongings of 18 students and knocked out the buildings' computer and cable lines. The Computer Center staff worked for one week to restore communication.
Tim Burton, an assistant director of Residence Life and Housing, said that after this leak, he knew something had to be done and planned to call the installation company early the next day.
But that would be too late, as Lindley and Weigard discovered at 6 a.m.
While the students' wet clothes and linens were taken to the drycleaners by the university, any other ruined belongings will have to be submitted on an insurance claim, independent of the university's consideration.
Most students had never considered buying renter's insurance for the small dorm rooms, until they heard about the recent floods in Davis and Taylor houses.
According to the university's "Guide to Community Living," the university is not responsible for anything "unforeseen" and suggests that students buy renter's insurance or check their parents' homeowner's insurance.
Though most students and their belongings are covered under their parents' homeowner's insurance as dependents, some may not be. By purchasing renter's insurance, students would be covered as if their room was a rented apartment.
By signing a housing contract each year, every student agrees to the university's policy without much thought, until the "unforeseen" event happens to them.
Sophomore Jared Cornelia of Davis 210A discovered all of this the hard way after the water from 310 poured through his ceiling, ruining his books, notes and $100 scientific calculator that had been left on the floor after a late night of studying for a test.
"They drycleaned my clothes," Jared said, "but they told me I have to file an insurance claim on my calculator and books. I think they should have paid for everything."
That morning the water gushed through suite 109 and down to the lounge of Kappa Alpha fraternity, leaving the carpet wet in several rooms of surrounding suites. Physical Facilities responded quickly to aid the students, and the housekeeping staff worked overtime to vacuum the standing water and exchange ruined furniture.
The installation company has agreed to repair the damage free of charge, according to Connie Carson, the director of Residence Life and Housing. The company has done many of the renovations on the campus and will continue to be used by the university.
"We're real sorry this has happened," Carson said. "This is something that wasn't foreseen"
Although the fault in the system has been corrected, the students affected by the floods continue to feel the inconveniences of such an event, waiting for clean clothes and borrowing books to study. Lindley and Wiegard are still discovering wrinkled computer paper, sealed blank envelopes, and bubbled paint on the walls.
Burton and the Office of Residence Life and Housing have sent a letter of apology to the students affected by the floods, explaining the fault of the contractors.