Legal Question in Education Law in Indiana

College Charges

I attend a small private college in Indiana and live in student housing. On the last evening of the spring semester someone vandalized the hall by clogging the sinks and turning on the water. Over 11,000 dollars in damge occured. This amount was evenly distributed among the residence whom were still staying. Many students finished finals early and checked out of the hall before this tragedy occured. If the school excuses the students who checked out early aren't they obligated to excuse those students who can verify they weren't a party to the flooding? I was studying for a final with a study group all evening in a different building on campus.


Asked on 7/04/01, 2:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dorene Philpot Philpot Law Office

Re: College Charges

I'm sure the school has a written policy stating that any damages caused in the housing will be the responsibility of the folks who live there.

HOWEVER, it defies common sense for you to share that burden when you had checked out of the dorm for the semester, and you and others who had checked out could not possibly have caused the damage.

Sounds like the school would rather charge the students than turn in a claim on its insurance policy, which sounds like the correct thing to do in a case like this.

I would send a formal letter to the administration, detailing your stance and see if you can get some satisfaction there. If not, you might have to sue.

Try the letter and possibly a meeting first, though. Maybe someone w/some common sense will help you by doing the right thing here.

Tough situation.

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Answered on 7/05/01, 12:28 pm


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