Students living on Grounds are discovering that uncovered posters and pictures on walls are joining extension cords and George Foreman grills on the list of items banned in University housing facilities.
Beginning this semester, the University is fully implementing the International Fire Code, which only allows posters, pictures and other flammable materials on walls if they are "flame-resistant," or covered under glass or Plexiglas.
Last year, posters and pictures could cover up to 10 percent of wall and ceiling space, but the 10 percent rule now applies to flame-resistant materials, and flammable materials are banned from walls and ceilings.
The code already had been in effect, but the University decided to wait until now to enforce the flame-resistant requirement to avoid too much change in one year, said Burt Joseph, the assistant director of facilities for University Housing.
"Rather than institute all of it at one time, we elected to phase it in," Joseph said.
Students expressed understanding at the need for safety, but many said they were disappointed by the restriction.
"I don't really like it," said first-year College student Megha Modi. "It's too rigid."
First-year College student Jonathan Lee said he might begin a petition to the General Assembly.
"I'm sure there are plenty of people pissed off about this," Lee said.
Already, however, students have begun to adjust to the changes.
"A bunch of people in my suite bought glass," first-year Engineering student Udayan Shah said.
Besides placing posters behind glass, students have begun putting pictures on desks and are exploring more creative solutions.
Third-year College student and resident advisor Nathan Vassar attached his bulletin board to the top of his desk, leaving it six inches from the wall and eligible to have regular paper pinned to it.
Vassar said students should understand the need for caution.
"I don't think anyone's happy about the strict nature of the policy, but the policies are for our safety," he said.
Some students said they did not learn about the restrictions until arriving for the semester, but many said they found out while reading the housing application or during summer orientation.
Fourth-year College student and resident advisor Kristin Liebrecht said upper-class students were adjusting to the changes better than last year and that incoming students' understanding of the rules depended on RA communication and enforcement.
"They're interested in keeping students safe," Liebrecht said. "It's hard to convey that to first years."
Joseph said laminated objects would count as flame-resistant and the Housing Office and Office of Residence Life were providing flame-resistant paper to RAs for announcements and use in common rooms and lounges.
Joseph said he thought students were handling the change well.
"I have to really commend them for as good a job as they did," he said.
Read More
Two senior U.Va. Health leaders quietly take new jobs without formal announcement
By Ford McCracken | 8 hours agoKibbe’s departure marks the end of an ongoing battle between U.Va. Health employees and their senior leadership.
Letter from 12 deans to Board of Visitors goes unanswered for almost two weeks
By Naima Sawaya | 11 hours agoAt the time of publication, the academic deans had received no response from the Board regarding their offer to meet with the Board “as soon as possible.”
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more
By Grace Traxler | YesterdayIn an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.
