AIRAN SCRUBY & CHRIS SEGAL
News Editors
“Don’t hang Chris Chang” was the slogan painted on the Rock Tuesday by residents of Banowsky Residence Hall in support of their RA.
Chang was released from his position as an RA in a letter from Community Living Feb. 9th.
The letter, sent by Resident Director Christopher Faris, said that Chang’s release was due to his participation in a “fight club” night in the hall, as well as his “knowledge and sanction of the residential use of the L-Closet in Banowsky House.”
The L-closet is a large storage closet near D-suite in all standard halls, which residents of Banowsky converted into a lounge called the Blue Room.
Charles Strawn, the director of Community Living, declined to comment on Chang’s dismissal.
“It may be something that’s still not finalized,” he said.
Strawn also said that out of respect for Chang and other RAs, he would not comment on the details of the situation.
According to Strawn, a resident director typically speaks with RAs who violate policy before formal action is taken. If necessary, a letter about the discussion is filed. In some cases, this process is bypassed and a review committee of other RAs and SLAs, together with Community Living and Housing, review the issue to determine what action should be taken.
“As best as possible, we try to balance the safety of residents with the learning experience of our RAs,” Strawn said.
According to Banowsky resident freshman Brendan Rhead, the closet was greatly modified. Rhead said the walls of the closet were painted blue, a couch, chair and coffee table were placed in the room, holes were cut in the walls to ventilate the space, and wall decorations such as neon signs were used to refurbish the room.
The room was further decorated with empty alcohol bottles, according to Rhead.
Rhead also said a new door with a lock was purchased for the closet, and that he and another resident, freshman Jon Norton, had keys to open this door.
Rhead and Norton both said that while Chang authorized use of the room to residents, he did not visit the room during or after its renovation, and was not aware of the extent of the changes.
“I think people need to know one thing,” Norton said, “Chris Chang had nothing to do with the Blue Room and he is getting fired for no reason. He is taking a hit for us.”
Eight residents involved in the creation of the Blue Room were fined $75 for vandalism to the room, and were required to take an alcohol education course, because of the alcohol paraphernalia found in the room.
In addition to the changes made to the closet, a fighting incident was also a factor in Chang’s dismissal according to the letter to Chang from Community Living. According to freshman resident Derek Hockenbrough, a fight night was planned in the dorm early this semester.
“We had a fight night here, and it was apparently not OK,” Hockenbrough said. Hockenbrough also said that three fights occurred that night with people gathered, watching and cheering. Chang participated in the fighting, according to Hockenbrough.
According to the letter from Community Living, Chang was relieved of his position beginning Wednesday.
Chang chose to protest the decision, and filed a letter of appeal yesterday evening.
In an e-mail statement, Chang said he felt no ill will to Housing and Community Living, and wished to return to his position.
“I would like to continue in my role as the RA for Banowsky Hall,” Chang said. “Despite the events that have occurred, I have no doubt that the residents of Banowsky would like nothing more than to see the return of their RA.”
02-16-2006