Simpsonian

Students are forced to use extreme measures to keep floors dry, because of the severe water problems in the Weinman basement. [Click to enlarge]

Students have been on campus for a month, but some still haven't settled into their surroundings due to leaking ceilings and flooding floors.

"Water problems are a normal part of facilities," said Mandy Fox, director of residence life. "There was a lot of rain and all the problems we had showed up."

Flooding has been a pervasive problem in Buxton Hall.

"We had water that was coming in by the door on the north side of the building," sophomore Chris Petrick said. "The entire hallway was flooded, and some water came into our room and all the way to the window."

Sophomore Anne Christians, a resident on Buxton's fourth floor, has experienced problems with water leakage from the roof.

"The water came down one wall and spread all the way from the corner to our door, which was about five feet," Christians said. "It was almost standing water. It was really disgusting."

The college placed fans in the Buxton hallways to help with both the smell and the moisture. Simpson also fixed the roof to prevent further water leakage.

It's easy to understand the plight of Simpson's Director of Facilities, Jesus Mendez.

"Anytime that you have a roof, there is a potential for a leak," Mendez said. "If a leak has been brought to our attention at the Physical Plant, we fix it. Due to the square footage of the roofing at Simpson, it's impossible for us to look at all of the roofs."

Mendez offered some advice for students who experience a leaky roof.

"The first thing they have to do, in my opinion, is if they see a roof leak, look at what is underneath that leak," Mendez said. "Use common sense. The first thing you want to do is take care of your stuff. Once you have done that, then you want to call us right away."

Another residence experiencing problems was the Washington apartments.

"We have a toilet that was leaking into the floor below us," said senior Jessica Martin, community advisor of the Washington apartments. "They had to tear out the ceiling, and I don't think it's fixed yet. Washington House needs some updating."

The Weinman apartment building has also experienced flooding, but this was a result of student destruction of the pipes draining water from the building.

"This past weekend, three out of the four drain pipes had been kicked in," Fox said. "With all the factors of water building up, lots of rain and the ground conditions not being at the ideal slope, instead of draining, water sat on the lawn. You actually sloshed when you stepped."

Simpson has talked about replacing the carpet in Buxton Hall, but as of yet there's no indication that the college will.

"I don't think it's too much to ask, when we pay $28,000 a year to go to school here, that we have better housing that this," Petrick said.

Article Tools