My suite in the University Suites has been properly stripped of all things “dangerous” after a particularly ruthless round of Housing’s Health and Safety Inspections this past week. As I watched them carry a trash bag full of contraband from my ten room suite, I got to wondering, where do they take all of the things they confiscate? Do they escort the items to the nearest dumpster? Is there a giant warehouse somewhere full of half burnt candles, halogen lamps, and ungrounded power strips?
I contacted Brad Reid, Director of Housing and Residence Life, to find out where on earth they took my brand new Yankee candle, or my roommates terribly threatening lava lamp. He informed me that they are held for a “reasonable amount of time” in the Housing and Residence Life Office. What is considered a reasonable amount of time? Apparently, in the few days following inspections, residents are given the opportunity to reclaim their items, as long as they “agree not to return them to the residence halls,” said Reid.
Beyond this grace period everything is taken to what is known as the “Housing Operations Warehouse”. As I talked with Reid I couldn’t help but hope that the inside of this warehouse somewhat resembled the image I had in my head, with shelves and shelves of the random objects of yesterday. The warehouse, which is located adjacent to the University Physical Plant, holds items for approximately 60 days before they are properly disposed of, allowing students ample time to claim what is rightfully theirs.
Reid also informed me it is honestly very that seldom confiscated items make it all the way to the warehouse. “Most of the objects housed there aren’t things that have been confiscated, but have been left behind after room check outs,” he said, adding, “We probably couldn’t fill two boxes with the number of items we’re currently holding.” I immediately became completely disillusioned with the idea of the warehouse.
As far as confiscated drugs, alcohol, and weapons go, it is another story entirely. The University Police are called any time items of this nature are discovered in the residence halls. For the most part these confiscations don’t occur during health and safety inspections, but more often during Resident Assistants routine checks while on duty. The contraband items are taken to the University Police Department, tagged, and locked in an evidence locker to be reviewed if necessary during the students conduct hearing. Suddenly the idea of lockers and lockers full of half empty liquor bottles and cases of beer sounded much more interesting than two boxes of candles and lamps.
Next time health and safety inspections roll around, and you’re wondering what plans they have for that George Foreman grill of yours they took, head over to housing to beg for it back! But go prepared with a good story about where you plan to take it that it won’t be considered a “safety risk”.
