Hive vandalism costs students
SCAD Residence Life and Housing is continuing to follow up on the vandalism outbreaks in the Hive area.
The Hive is home to approximately 1,000 first-year students across four buildings: Colony, Dance, Everest and Honey. Over the past year, the new buildings have seen wear and tear equivalent to 10 years. The expected life span of each building is 40 years with regular maintenance, such as painting, replacing furniture and more.
Colony, Dance, Everest and Honey at the Hive have seen carvings in the elevator, removal of floor and elevator signage, slicing of cushioned and weaved furniture, dried paint, cuts in common room tables, stolen rugs, spray paints and adhesives and more student caused damages.
Residence Life sent an email to residents providing information about the damages and their response. The email referred to the housing license agreement, which states: “Damages to the public areas of a residence hall, including costs for replacing missing furniture and other furnishings, that cannot be attributed to specific individuals or groups, are divided equally and charged to each resident of that building.”
Everest was the most damaged building at the Hive. Each individual resident at Everest has been charged $17.63 to cover damages. The overall figures released for the damages includes $2,970 for the elevator panel replacement, $265.50 for signage replacement and $608.50 for other elevator vandalism.
The interior of the Everest elevator.
The Hive’s convenience store, Studio, has also seen plenty of theft from students. The coffee shop and studio had security cameras installed Friday, April 7, to help decrease the amount of theft from the store.
“The issues that occurred are the result of intentional decisions and failing to follow well-known and established policies and forms of respect,” said Jason Rigsbee, associate dean of students and director of residence life and housing.
Residence Life also reminded students that spray paints and spray adhesives are prohibited in or around residence halls, including stairwells, parking garages and grassy areas. Spray paint can be used in specific rooms located at Anderson Hall, Eichberg Hall and the Gulfstream Center for Design.
“Residence Life and Housing wants all residents to be able to sleep, study, live and work in a community of mutual respect for personal and community property,” said Lauren Slaydon, Everest and Honey residence director. Residence Life asks students to report acts of vandalism or damage of SCAD property to an resident adviser or SCAD security in addition to asking the person to stop.
In addition to the vandalism in buildings, students have been found trespassing in the Hive’s construction area, which was also addressed in a recent email to students.
“Entering an active construction zone can be extremely dangerous and unsafe, especially at night,” the Residence Life email stated. “SCAD University Safety continues to monitor the area, and all students are reminded to avoid entering any construction areas. Students found in the construction zone will be reported to the office of student conduct.”
Rigsbee emphasized, “SCAD is investing in their experience and education through the construction of the new Hive area and the number of various other renovations and projections that occur each year… Continually having to repair or replace items utilizes funds that could be better spent on other improvements to the student experience versus repairing brand new facilities.”
