Why Vandalism?

from JoeUser Forums
As some of you may or may not know, I am an RA in an on-campus dorm. (I'm supposed to call it a Residence Hall) My job is to insure the safety of the residents, to provide them with information about campus, be a mentor, be a counselor, be a resource, plan programs, build community... and a bunch of small things.

I also live in the newest dorm on campus. This is the first year that it has been open. Newest freaking building on campus.

Already, the students have vandalized it tremendously. They mark on the walls, they break doors, they burn everything. They've thrown knives in the elevator, leaving huge gashes. They steal light bulbs. They leave bags of trash in the hallways, in the lobby -- basically anywhere where they aren't supposed to. They stick gum everywhere.

The students claim that they are protesting their living arrangements. They complain that their private rooms are too small. They don't like the size of their living rooms, or their private bathrooms. They rode bikes inside the building (scratching up the walls) because we didn't have bike racks soon enough for them. They still chain their bikes to the water pipes that the firemen will need to get to in case of fire.

They have private rooms. Four private rooms in a suite. Private bathrooms. Living rooms. Free cable. WHAT MORE DO THEY WANT?!?

They feel that they have justification for the vandalism, but I find that hard to believe. Is there justification for vandalism of any kind? Is vandalism ever acceptable? Can it be considered art? Or is vandalism always unacceptable?

Personally, in this situation, I don't think these kids have any right to tear up a brand new building because they don't like the paint. (if you think I'm kidding about them complaining about the paint, think again. That's one of their biggest problems with the building) But, is there justification of vandalism of any kind?
misc
5,865 views 11 replies
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
You're lucky I'm not there. The first little punk I found doing that would be dead as a doorknail. I'd beat the ever-loving snot out of him, and see how quick others are to vandalize the building.
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's a DORM. If you don't like the way it is, go to school in your hometown and live with mommy and daddy. Seriously.

A private bathroom? Do you know what I would have done for a PRIVATE bathroom without having to wear flip flops in the shower? The girls in my dorms were pretty good though...we cleaned out our hairballs from the drains and the walls and stuff after we showered and washed our toothpaste down the sink. I think we took pretty good care of our 100 year old building.

Even the kids that lived in the NEW building took care of it. But I went to a private Christian school too...lol. You don't pay over $20,000 a year if you REALLY don't want to go there.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'll take a thief over a vandal anyday. I HATE vandals.


Unfortunately, we have both.

You're lucky I'm not there. The first little punk I found doing that would be dead as a doorknail. I'd beat the ever-loving snot out of him, and see how quick others are to vandalize the building.


We have an empty suite. Care to move in?

It's a DORM. If you don't like the way it is, go to school in your hometown and live with mommy and daddy. Seriously.


But these kids are the best of the bunch! They deserve to have everything their way! They were "promised" a laundry room on every floor, and didn't get it. How dare we not cater to their every whim. I should thank my lucky stars that I get to serve these children. I don't know what I was thinking when I told one girl to clean up the laundry powder she dropped in the elevator. I should have cleaned it myself, or called emergency cleanup like she wanted me to.(If I got sarcasm on your keyboard, I apologize)
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
It sounds to me like a lot of these kids don't know how good they have it. I'd personally kick 'em out and tell 'em to find their own accomodation.

If I got sarcasm on your keyboard, I apologize


Ah, its alright. It comes off with a little alcohol
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Doems have come a long way since my college days.  Private?  There was no such thing.  2 to a room,and a community shower/bath room.  Maybe they should go back to the old dorms and see what they can protest then.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nope, I don't think vandalism is ever justified. I would start a whisper campaign that the school installed pinhole cameras in the public areas and that anyone who is caught on tape vandalizing property will be sued to make repairs and kicked out of the dorms. it might work.

It really makes no sense. I am not happy with the quality of my dorm so I think I will trash it.

Do you have any authority over the students? Can't they get in trouble for doing these things or are they just not caught in the act?
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

It's hilarious to listen to spoiled brats try to justify their actions.  They try to give their infantile outbusts some sort of legitimacy, but in the end, there is no difference between their actions and the 5 year old screaming and throwing things because it didn't get it's way.

~~~~~~

"Where much is given, much is complained about!" ~ParaTed2k's (Not So) Famous Sayings

 

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Do you have any authority over the students? Can't they get in trouble for doing these things or are they just not caught in the act?


Unfortunately, we can't seem to catch them. If I caught them doing something, I could write them up, my boss would think of some punishment for them, and they would also have to pay for the damages.

It will be fun when they move out, however. I get to charge them for all the damages they've done to their rooms. They think I'm strict now... just wait. They've made me pretty angry this year, and I intend to charge for every whole, paint chip, scrape... you name it. Normally, I wouldn't do this. They've been asking for it.

"Where much is given, much is complained about!" ~ParaTed2k's (Not So) Famous Sayings


I like this, a lot.

I should add, the students also have study rooms on each floor, and a coffee/smoothie/convenience store in the lobby. That's right. We have a store in the building. Obviously, they bitch because it isn't open when they want it to be open, and they don't like it that other people can come in and buy stuff as well. They also complain that we don't have a kitchen in the building... though they can go to our sister building where the freshmen live and use their kitchens. There's only a courtyard between us. About 10 feet between two doors on one side.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Apparently they are 18 going on 5. I bet they even whine and complain that they should be "Treated like adults" ;~D
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Apparently they are 18 going on 5. I bet they even whine and complain that they should be "Treated like adults" ;~D


How did you know? Actually, the freshmen are little to no trouble. It's the sophomores, juniors, seniors and super-seniors that are the biggest problems. The older they are, the more they complain. So I suppose it's more like 21 going on 4.