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| Archives for mtuparent-L (discussion list) Subject: Building Lofts Tue, 26 Aug 2003 Sorry if this sounds like a Gripe but it certainly is not
intended that way. On Saturday AuGust 16th along with many other parents
I helped to move my son into his room at Douglas Houghton Hall. Once we
were there many of us went right to work building lofts.....only to have
RAs come along and tell us that at the last minute the fire marshall had
made new rules and that all plans needed to be changed. Some parents &
students (after driving for countless hours) had purchased lumber, started
building, some even completed these projects. Needless to say these poor
RAs-- who are students just like our sons and daughters-- had to deal
with some very angry, many times rude and obnoxious parents. At no time
did I witness any of these RA's stray from their professional, patient
and courteous attitude even though they were left in the hotseat with
no one in authority to back them up. I just feel that those RAs who took
all the abuse need to be commended (also apologized to). They were only
doing their job and afterall the firemarshall's rules are there to protect
our kids. It was inconvenient and stressful that we were not notified
earlier of the changes but none of us as parents had any right to take
our B.R. _______ On Sunday, August 17, we built our daughter's deck -- the same one used in that room for years. But according to the new rules, we had to shorten it by 18 inches. On Sunday, August 25, I set off on the 8 hour drive back up there to convert her deck into a loft -- new rules in the intervening week. I did not take out my anger and frustration on the RAs, who were, indeed, very helpful. Nonetheless, I AM angry. I think my daughter and her roommate were safer with the initial deck than with the 18"-shorter re-design. I think they were safer with the redesign than they are on the lofts built to the "new standards".
In discussions with students and parents, I have been struck by the number of students who are thinking about moving out of the dorms and looking for apartments or rooms elsewhere. This, I think, is not a good thing. Perhaps it is time for another look at this issue -- covering ALL the safety aspects, not just the question of fire safety. L.A.W. _______ Wed, 27 Aug 2003 My son is a freshman in McNair East. A.J. and his roommates
built a loft and had the fire marshal stop in and take pictures after
it was built. The fire marshal stated he would get back to them regarding
the safety of the loft and whether or not they would have to remove it.
What I do not understand is why was this type of arrangement acceptable
last year and if the rules changed why weren't the students notified before
spending a couple D.S. _______ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 The big change from last year to this was the addition of the sprinkler systems in McNair and DHH. Two other universities have gone through such changes in recent years and MTU officials contacted people from those universities specifically to ask about fire marshal rulings. Neither university had a problem. This is not the local fire department, but the state fire marshal, who is located in Marquette. He has been to campus three times, responding to complaints from an unknown source. While everything about the sprinkler system and loft/deck guidelines are within code, his rulings have put aside the code by declaring an "imminent danger." His opinions have varied, with his last ruling being "no decks." This has put everyone, including the university, in a very difficult situation. Believe me, the housing folks are just as frustrated as the students. There have been lofts in residence halls here for 50 years and there has never been a problem like this. Dean Woodbeck _______ for what it's worth- D. _______ another for what it's worth -- D.H. _______ One of the things we should all remember regarding the loft issue is: The safety of all of our kids. I don't know how many of you are aware of it, but, MTU tragically lost a student last year due to a fire in a frat house. He was sleeping in a "pod" and couldn't get out in time. Unfortunately it often takes a tragedy such as this to cause the authorities to step in and take a look at what is going on. I beieve everyone involved, MTU/state fire marshall is trying to reasonably balance "fair" and safe. Many of the lofts are unique and with the addition of a new sprinkler system, the questions are still being answered. This affects all of our kids. I for one would rather be inconvenienced, and/or spend a little more money to make it safer for all. S.H. _______ We DID have a deck grandfathered from last year (actually, it's been used safely for 4 years, I think). We were told on the 16th that we needed to modify it THIS year, reducing it by 18" -- this we did. Our deck plan was approved and our deck was approved and signed off. THEN the fire marshall had another hissy fit, and we were told the deck had to come down, but we could build a loft. This we also had design approval for, and the RA has approved the lofts. So far, in the last 2 weeks, we've had three different "approved" designs -- and I am getting tired of the rules changing in the middle of the game. Word is, the Fire Marshall is scheduled to inspect DHH on September 8 or 10 (I have heard both) -- so the rules could change again. So, are we having fun yet? L.A.W. _______ I agree, since I followed the death and the aftermath in
the online version of the Daily Mining Gazette (http://www.mininggazette.com/home.html)
-- but,I felt far safer with the deck the Fire Marshall just disallowed
than with MOST deaths from fires are the result of smoke inhalation. Smoke rises.Lofts are higher than decks. I believe firmly that more injuries will result from lofts than from decks. So I see the Fire Marshall's edicts as making my daughter less safe. The new sprinkler system was a step in the right direction -- the new rules are not. L.A.W. _______ I too am beyond angry about this loft/deck situation. My
son who is in McNair East and a Junior, came early this year to help with
loft storage. He had to help take down all the RA's decks and lofts and
turn around and rebuild them and now is being told to take them down again.
This is ridiculous and while I do not want any of those students endangered
in anyway, this should have been taken care of over the summer. NEVER
right before school or during the start of school. I don't care who makes
the descisions, the students should have been given notice early on. I
think they should allow the decks/lofts this year and IF they must change
the rules have that in effect BEFORE the students come back to school
in the fall of 2004. Thank you J.F. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." _______ I love the quote at the end of your message it truly hits home and makes you think a bit. I guess I should feel fortunate that my son was not even allowed the opportunity to build a loft this year due to the temporary assignment in Wadsworth Hall. His room is on the schedule for remodeling so he will be moving at some point this year. To those students, parents and staff who have busted their tails to rectify this situation, my hat is off to you. I hope the fire marshal and the school can come up with a mutual decision quickly before more students find themselves in this predicament. S.G. _______ Thu, 28 Aug 2003 If you're talking "decks", Wadsworth Hall had signs plastered everywhere. Also our loft plans had to be signed off before we could even begin building. Not sure why the difference between the two halls. Sounds like maybe a RA problem. B.B. |
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