This post was written by Hatchet reporter Rebekah Troutman.
GW housing and facilities officials fielded questions from 20 students Tuesday about furniture requests, building security and the “broom clean” policy at the Student Association’s first-ever townhall on housing.
Jim Schrote, director of facilities management, said Fix-It has been slower to resolve furniture related requests this year because facilities received more than 900 furniture requests since classes began.
“I don’t know what happened honestly.” Schrote said, about this year’s high number of furniture requests. “We didn’t do the best job this year.”
Director of Facilities Robin Laird said there was “craziness” this year with students going into other rooms in the building before move-in and taking or swapping furniture.
Associate Dean of Students Tim Miller also urged students – both at Tuesdays meeting and the first SA townhall earlier this month – to e-mail his staff to resolve issues in residence halls.
“If you don’t come to us with your issues, we won’t find out about them,” Miller said.
Junior Walker Connelly asked about stationing University police officers in residence halls other than freshman dorms.
Connelly said a laptop and wallet was stolen from his room in Fulbright Hall last year. He said his roommate left the door open and he doesn’t blame the University but wanted to know if additional security features could be added.
“You have no idea how many students don’t look their doors,” Seth Weinshel, the director of GW housing programs, said. He urged students to secure their doors every time they leave the room, and to prevent future thefts by not allowing anyone to follow them into their buildings.
“We know that tailgating happens, and we need you to essentially stop it from happening,” Weinshel said.
He also pressed students to purchase renter’s insurance, which he said would cost $50 to $100 per year, to make sure students are protected.
The SA’s next townhall will be in November, featuring changes to the University’s career services.
