Damage Billing at BSU

 What do I do if I saw or heard someone vandalizing or damaging something in the building?
Inform your RA! You can do this verbally or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can slide a note under the RA's door. Tell the person who caused the damage to stop. See if they might come forward and take responsibility so as to avoid the possibility of the entire community paying for his/her damage.
Why do I have to pay for damages that I didn't cause?
When no specific individuals can be found responsible for damage or vandalism, the only way to recover the cost of repairing or cleaning up the damage is to equally distribute the cost among the residents of the particular suite, floor, wing, or building.
What happens if an elevator is damaged?
When an elevator is damaged so that it no longer functions, it means that you have to walk up and down the stairs! Sure, you'll get the extra exercise as a health benefit, but it will get old after awhile. Elevator damages, if no individuals can be found responsible, are equally pro-rated and assessed to all the residents of that building.
What if my roommate breaks something in the room, and I don't want to be charged for the damage?
Inform your RA immediately. It is important to have your roommate available to confirm with your RA that it was he/she that caused the damage. Make sure your RA notes the damage and that your roommate accepts responsibility for it on your inventory form. If you wait until the time you check out of your room, your roommate may already be gone, and both of you will share the cost of the damage.  Please note: If your roommate does not accept responsibility for the damage, you will both be billed for the damage even if you talk to your RA or submit a work order.
I placed a work order for a towel bar that I accidentally broke, but I still was assessed a charge. Why is this?
Placing a work order makes the staff aware of a problem to be addressed. It does not mean you will not be billed for the damage. If you caused the damage, you may be required to pay for it.
How do I know if there is community damage in the residence hall I live in?
Each month your RD will send an e-mail summarizing all the community damage in your residence hall. These notices will list what happened, the cost for the damage, and who will be billed if the individual(s) responsible are not found. If you know who is responsible, let your RA or RD know immediately! Dismiss the feeling that you are "ratting" on someone-you are merely protecting yourself and other residents from having to pay for damages you and others did not cause!
I know of someone who was not feeling well and they vomited in the hallway. Will I get charged for this?
The better question is, did that individual or a friend of that individual clean up the vomit? If staff are required to clean any vomit, the costs of the cleaning will be assessed to either the responsible individual or the community if that individual cannot be determined.
Why am I charged for cleaning?  Isn't that the maintainers' job?
Students are billed for cleaning when it is additional cleaning that is not part of the maintainers' normal daily routine. This includes cleaning items such as bodily fluids in public areas, rooms or apartments and trash that has not been disposed of in the designated receptacles (for example, left in the hallway, stairwell or bathroom). The charge for cleanup of bodily fluids (such as urine, blood, feces, vomit or saliva) also reflects the additional supplies needed to sanitize the area thoroughly and protect the maintainer from any infectious substances that could be present in the bodily fluids.

Damage Billing

Student Handbook: Damage Billing Policy

Last Modified: January 17, 2011

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