What do you all do about damage in your dorm room that isn’t your fault?
Update: I spoke with my RA, and it seems this issue is occurring throughout our building. I also submitted a maintenance request, and they suggested that the cracks might be a result of the building settling.
Thanks for all your advice!
I’m in a bit of a tough situation. This winter, I’ve started to notice several cracks appearing on the walls of my dorm room. I have no clue what caused them. Just today, I discovered one of the cracks has caused part of the wallpaper to start peeling away.
Given that I attend college in a northern state where we’ve had a substantial amount of snowfall this year, I initially thought the cracks wouldn’t be serious enough to report to residence life. However, there’s now a crack running the entire length of one of my walls.
I reached out to residence life and talked to one of my roommates, who happens to be an RA. I can’t shake the feeling that I might be blamed for this damage.
Sorry for the ramble, but I’m really unsure of what to do next.
It sounds like you’re dealing with a frustrating situation, but it’s good that you’ve already taken some proactive steps by talking to your RA and placing a work order with maintenance. It’s important to remember that structural issues like cracks in walls often aren’t the fault of the residents, and it seems like your RA is aware of the building-wide issue.
To protect yourself and ease any concerns you have about being blamed, here are a few additional steps you can take:
Document Everything: Take clear photos of the cracks and any other damage in your room. This will provide evidence showing the condition of the room before and after reporting it.
Follow Up with Maintenance: Make sure that the maintenance team follows up on your work order. If they find that the damage is indeed due to settling, it’s important for them to document that.
Communicate with Your Roommate: Keep your roommate updated on the situation, especially since they’re an RA. Having their support might help alleviate any worries you have about being blamed.
Reach Out to Residence Life Again: If you’re feeling particularly anxious about it, don’t hesitate to reach out to Residence Life for reassurance. They might have protocols to handle such situations, and they can provide guidance on what to expect.
Be Honest and Calm: If anyone questions you about the damage, just be honest. Explain the steps you’ve taken to report it and that you’re just concerned about the safety of your living space.
Remember that buildings settle over time, and it’s not uncommon for issues like this to arise, especially in areas with significant weather changes. You’ve done the right thing by being proactive, and it sounds like you have the support of your RA. Hopefully, the maintenance team will get everything sorted out soon!