Balcony collapse anniversary sparks safety awareness

The West Cary Street balcony collapse that injured several students will reach its first anniversary this November. The Off-Campus Student Services Office and The Department of Residential Life and Housing are promoting awareness and renter’s rights information to students.

Off-Campus Student Services Coordinator, Martha Harper said the programs “Moving On, Moving Out”, “Mini MoMo” sessions, “Commuter CoffeeBRAKES”, and the Off-Campus Living Fair are all aimed to inform students who live off-campus of the safety issues they might face. All programs and events will take place during the spring semester except for “Commuter CoffeeBRAKES”, which are currently taking place during the fall semester.

Since the balcony collapse, which took place last year on Nov. 7, the main concerns are that students be aware of their renter’s rights and their responsibilities as neighbors, according to Harper.

“Common sense is common sense. Be a good neighbor; set limits for guests,” said Linda Hancock, the assisstant director of Health Promotions. “Having a landlord that pays attention is a key factor.”

Hancock said off-campus housing offers students a chance to live as an adult with lesser rules and restrictions, unlike residents of on-campus VCU housing according to Hancock.

“All the students are adults. They live out in the community. They are expected to make decisions that reflect their desire to be safe,” Harper said. “All we can do is continued to educate.”

According to Harper, unlike on-campus housing, which is protected and owned by VCU, off-campus housing is privately run by property owners.

Several awareness programs are offered to students. Safety issues are discussed through alerts sent through Twitter, according to Harper.

“Students here at VCU are becoming fully informed. They will go elsewhere if they see something better,” Dean of Student Affairs Reuban Rodriquez said. “Landlords are becoming more competitive. They know students are listening.”

In the spring the housing workshop “Moving On, Moving Out,” students learn what constitutes a safe apartment. According to Harper, student safety comes down to choices.

“It involves a give and take. Think outside of the VCU donut. Think 10 blocks out instead of one,” Harper said. “It will get you a place that is decent, safe and inside your budget.”