All Arthur Hall and Martinetti residents will have a $5 fine tacked onto their student accounts following what flyers have dubbed a “Not so inexpensive prank”.
According to flyers, all light bulbs were removed from the Arthur Hall basement on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Because nobody has admitted to committing the offense, all students with building access must contribute toward reparation fees.
“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that the residents of Martinetti and Arthur Hall are being fined $5 for a stupid prank,” says Arthur Hall resident Casey Bailey, 19. “I’m a good student with a clean record and I didn’t even know about the prank until I was told I would have to pay for it.”
The “prank” has proven to be costly.
According to Director of Residence Life Michele Whitmore, over 30 energy-efficient bulbs were stolen — an act that will cost the college over $300 in materials and approximately $100 in labor.
Arthur Hall Resident Tanya Luce, 20, feels the fine is a necessary measure.
“It’s unfair, but the school is not the one to blame for the charge,” she says. “The ones who are at fault here are the people who did the ‘crime.’ They are the cowards for not coming forward.”
Although such situations are commonplace in a college environment, Martinetti resident Anthony Kaseoru, 20, thinks the best prevention lies within a watchful community.
“If there is true reason for concern regarding an issue, yes, we should raise our voices to the proper authorities,” he says. “But since these are our homes, the responsibility lies with us as well.”
For Arthur resident Chris Currier, 18, the end result is tiresome.
“Fines add up quickly,” he says. “I, for one, have had too many fines given to me for circumstances out of my control, and do not wish to be paying any more.”