By The Gatepost Editorial Board Miles Bibb Hall sustained more than $100,000 in damages after a fire started in a student’s room, causing water damage throughout the building, according to an FSUPD police report. Miles Bibb was evacuated and temporarily closed on Aug.16. The early-arrival residents on campus who occupied Miles Bibb were temporarily moved to Linsley Hall while repairs were underway. On Oct.11, residents in Corinne Hall Towers experienced two building evacuations in the early morning hours due to students smoking in hallways, according to an email sent to residents from residence director Jaslyne Lemus-Avila. The email stated that “this behavior is unacceptable and has a large negative impact on our community.” Smoking inside a Framingham State building is prohibited because it poses a fire safety hazard and will lead to student conduct charges. The email went on to state, “We know that many of you are extremely frustrated with these incidents and have had your lives disrupted. We are committed to working with our community members to address these issues.” The Gatepost editorial board agrees that this behavior shows a complete disregard for your peers and neighbors. The behavior that caused two fire alarm evacuations in the span of a couple of hours is childish and shows a lack of regard for the resources of the FSUPD and the Framingham Fire Department. This careless behavior has to change - especially after your peers suffered because of the consequences of a costly fire only a few months ago. When will we learn? What it boils down to is selfishness. If students want to legally take part in smoking off campus, that is their decision. But do not make it everyone else's problem when your actions create a significant inconvenience for hundreds of people. Smoking in the hallway, out in the open, takes it one step further, not even trying to hide what you are doing.
Campus policies aside, there are several compelling reasons why students should not smoke in the dorms: health risks, fire hazards, roommate conflicts and impacts on the residential environment.
The health risks not only impact the smoker, but can harm those exposed to secondhand smoke. In a place where we all live so closely together, why risk the health of others?
Smoking in dorms also increases the risk of fire, which we are sure is clear to you by now, but unattended cigarettes or smoking devices can ignite materials that could be highly flammable.This poses a danger to everyone in the building.
Violating these common-sense rules can lead to disciplinary actions, fines, or even eviction from housing.
Smoking can also create an unpleasant living environment for not only roommates, but other people in the building, especially if you are doing it in the hallway or other public spaces. This can lead to conflicts and tension among residents - specifically if you are making them evacuate all of the time.
Smoking can also cause unwanted odors and stains. Both cigarette and marijuana smoke leaves a lingering odor that can permeate furniture, clothing, and belongings. This can lead to costly cleaning or loss of security deposits when moving out.
As a community, we have to look out for each other, and that means putting the lighter down.
This also means reporting any suspicious issues you might be witnessing, such as smoke or the smell of it.
In residence halls, you may contact the resident director, the Security Desk, the RA on Duty, or FSU police at 508-626-4911.
If you would like to provide anonymous information to FSU Police, send a text message to 67283 containing the word “FSUTIP,” followed by a space, and then your message.
Do better in the fire department.