As some of you may or may not know, I am an RA in an on-campus dorm. (I'm supposed to call it a Residence Hall) My job is to insure the safety of the residents, to provide them with information about campus, be a mentor, be a counselor, be a resource, plan programs, build community... and a bunch of small things.
I also live in the newest dorm on campus. This is the first year that it has been open. Newest freaking building on campus.
Already, the students have vandalized it tremendously. They mark on the walls, they break doors, they burn everything. They've thrown knives in the elevator, leaving huge gashes. They steal light bulbs. They leave bags of trash in the hallways, in the lobby -- basically anywhere where they aren't supposed to. They stick gum everywhere.
The students claim that they are protesting their living arrangements. They complain that their private rooms are too small. They don't like the size of their living rooms, or their private bathrooms. They rode bikes inside the building (scratching up the walls) because we didn't have bike racks soon enough for them. They still chain their bikes to the water pipes that the firemen will need to get to in case of fire.
They have private rooms. Four private rooms in a suite. Private bathrooms. Living rooms. Free cable. WHAT MORE DO THEY WANT?!?
They feel that they have justification for the vandalism, but I find that hard to believe. Is there justification for vandalism of any kind? Is vandalism ever acceptable? Can it be considered art? Or is vandalism always unacceptable?
Personally, in this situation, I don't think these kids have any right to tear up a brand new building because they don't like the paint. (if you think I'm kidding about them complaining about the paint, think again. That's one of their biggest problems with the building) But, is there justification of vandalism of any kind?