The dorms are admittedly crazy places. Students wandering around at three in the morning, cursing their calculus books. Rivalries between houses resulting in practical jokes and overly intense flag football games. The collective cursing of food service, RAs and administrative policies.

But none of this is an excuse to vandalize property.

After the residence halls began their 24-hour lockdown in January, several incidents of vandalism occurred in Helser Hall, all relating to doors, door latches and door handles. The total amount of damages to the building are over $5,000 when the cost of parts and labor are included.

As a result of the door destruction, each resident of Helser will be fined $5.

This seems fair. The dorms are hardly an egalitarian system, as much as newly free-thinking college students would like to believe. They are still on university property, and as long as the university includes the possibility of fines for vandalism in the terms and conditions, each resident will have to cough up $5.

But it turns out the university is a bit hazy on those terms and conditions.

“As a community member, you are responsible for respecting the needs and rights of others. You are expected to participate in keeping the house and hall clean, safe and quiet enough for sleep and study.”

This section of the Department of Residence’s terms and conditions was cited by a hall director when justifying the fines.

Most students did not realize that could possibly include paying for vandalism, and were suspect and angry when asked to pay.

The Department of Residence should amend these terms and conditions, specifying that yes, there is a possibility that every resident of a hall could pay to fix student vandalism. Students may not agree with paying the fine, but at least it would be clarified.

Recently, several interior lights and walls were damaged in building 73 of Frederiksen Court. Although the Department of Residence is still looking for the culprits, a letter was sent out to each resident of the building, explaining that a minimum of $5 can be charged to each resident if nobody is found guilty.

Although this policy calls into question the validity of calling Frederiksen Court an actual apartment complex, when the university does not provide the same building repair a landlord would, at least it is clearly stated in the Frederiksen terms and conditions.

“In the event of damages to your apartment or building, the department reserves the right to assess the residents in your apartment or building for reasonable damages, with a minimum charge of $5 a person, if the responsible person(s) cannot be identified.”

The Department of Residence would do well to learn from itself.

Editorial Board: Cavan Reagan, Amber Billings, Ayrel Clark, Charlie Weaver, Katie List