President Cole Addresses Heights Residents

- By Jamie Wisniewski, Staff Writer

President Susan Cole met with Machuga Heights residents on Jan. 18 to discuss the extensive building damages that occurred during the fall semester. By the second week of the semester, vandalism had begun, and by the end of the semester, the Heights incurred thousands of dollars in damages.

Lounge furniture, floor tiles, elevator buttons and window blinds were damaged. Fire alarm wires were cut and soap dispensers and thermostats were ripped off of walls. Televisions were completely destroyed and an elevator door had to be replaced after being dislodged from its track. Numerous items were stolen, including elevator light bulbs and approximately 30 signs in the building.

President Cole appeared to connect with students about the serious subject by using sarcastic humor about the stolen signs.  Cole suggested that students must have been in dire need of a Walt Whitman sign, but probably never considered their love for his poetry. She also mentioned that students must find it “cute” to have a ladies’ room sign hanging in their room.

In addition to stolen items, an enormous amount of garbage littered the building. Food was smeared on walls and vomit and feces were found in elevators, sinks and other common areas throughout the building. Cole put the vulgar situation into perspective for students by explaining that actual human beings need to clean up the mess. “These are decent people working hard to earn a living,” Cole said. “These people, unlike you, didn’t have a chance to go to college.”

Melody Wang, a Heights resident, voiced her disgust for the damage in the Heights:  “It’s really annoying seeing food and garbage in the elevators all of the time. Light bulbs are always missing so the elevators are dark and it’s not fair that I’m getting charged for it.”

President Cole stated in the meeting that she was not talking about vandalism, but citizenship. Cole worked for three years to obtain approval of a law to build the Heights. “The opening was a source of great pride,” Cole said.  The past semester was the first time the university had capacity to house all students.  Cole asked that all students respect those who worked hard to provide such a beautiful residence hall, as well as themselves.

“I am not sure if it is a form of leftover teenage rebellion,” Cole said. She pleaded that students demand respect for themselves and their home.

“We can’t have eyes and ears everywhere, nor should we have to,” Cole said. She urged students to report any incidents that they see immediately. The new “Hawk Eye” is a text messaging system that allows students to send a text message to report any incidents they see on campus.

“I’m not sure if the [Hawk Eye] will work because I never see students causing any damage and most kids probably won’t take the time to send a text,” said Alyssa Trovarelli, another Heights resident.

“[Hawk Eye] is a good concept because it is campuswide,” said Andrew Hatfield. “It’s much easier to send a text than to physically walk somewhere and report an incident.”

Marissa Stapelman, a Heights resident, suggested that the university install cameras in the building. “The Heights should have video cameras so they can see who is causing the damage so everyone doesn’t have to get charged.  It might put an end to the continuous damage, too.”

Cole wrapped up her speech with an inspirational quote by Thomas Jefferson: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of Constitutional power.” Cole explained that Montclair State University is like a democracy and that students must respect one another.

All students are charged for common damage unless the university knows who is responsible. If the student is identified, they will be responsible for the damage, no longer be allowed to live on campus and face possible expulsion. Students may also be held responsible for any investigation costs and judicial fines.