Starr Awning Falls
One Student Injured, One Grill Lost
by Tommy Proffitt ‘11 ··································
As many RMC students are already aware, on Saturday, March 1, 2008, one of the archways leading into Starr Hall collapsed, leaving one student with minor injuries.
Ben Kaiser, freshmen and resident of Starr Hall, was the student injured in the incident. After being treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital, Ben was released. Unfortunately, the school is currently conducting an investigation of the incident, and because of this, there is not much information that can be gathered from the student.
Kathryn Hull, Interim Dean of Students stated in an interview that college officials were very quick to respond. On call professionals, including RAs, campus safety, and college officials, were on the scene within minutes of the accident. Dean Hull even made her way onto campus to assure that the incident was being handled both swiftly and properly.
Campus Safety Officer Jeff Kuske was performing a routine patrol of the campus when he heard a crash, followed by loud screaming.
“Upon investigation,” says Officer Kuske, “I found the front porch of Starr Dorm on the ground and a student lying next to it. I spoke with several bystanders but no one seemed to know [exactly] what had happened. The injured student told me [that] he was coming out of the dorm when the porch fell and hit him in the stomach.”
Dean Hull said that after the incident, Ben was taken home and given as much time as needed to recuperate from his ordeal. During the healing period, many college officials called and spoke with Ben, offering their help and words of comfort.
“We just want him to get better and stronger” said Dean Hull.
As with any incident such as this, a thorough investigation is being conducted, and precautions have already been made to assure that the incident does not repeat itself. The stability of all the entranceways to freshmen village dorms have been checked, and the north side Starr entranceway has been reinforced.
One aspect to this story that has many freshmen stricken with grief is the death caused by the falling awning. Those familiar with the customs of freshmen village last fall remember the cookouts hosted by Starr hall every Monday night. The center of attention at these cookouts was one little red Coleman grill. When the entranceway over Starr collapsed, the grill was destroyed.
“It’s like I lost a friend,” says Gary Citrone, a grief stricken freshmen. Being a resident of Starr Hall, Gary Citrone, as well as many other Starr Residents, had spent much of fall semester getting to know this hard-shelled, warm hearted friend.
Rodney Bardwell, in a Starr hall meeting, says that the college will make things right and provide the freshmen with another grill; however, some feel it will not be the same.
“I’m really going to miss Shelly,” says Gary “The burgers and steaks just won’t taste the same to me.”
Those wishing to pay their respects to the grill can visit its memorial, which are the tipped over remnants ‘Shelly,’ located in front of Starr Hall.
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