Shockingly, Trinity University’s Residential Life Staff has managed to teach me something. Unfortunately, this lesson was in the meaning of conversion.
After returning to Trinity from winter break I was surprised to find that my collection of wine bottles, several of which were acquired on trips to vineyards with my parents, had mysteriously disappeared from my room. My confusion, however, was short lived. The next day I received an email from Residential Life Coordinator Caldwell C. Chenault informing me that “as of December 20 2008, you are in violation of university policy because the following items were found in your room […] eight empty wine bottles.”
Interestingly, I am twenty-one years old and my possession of empty wine bottles is perfectly in line with Trinity’s Alcohol Policy regarding empty containers (Section 2, Part C, Subsection 2, Part C). In light of this, I called Mrs. Chenault and left a message informing her of Residential Life’s mistake and requesting the return of my collection. The next day Mrs. Chenault returned my call and informed me that my collection had been disposed of.
While Mrs. Chenault has been nothing but apologetic, even taking the time to send me a handwritten letter, the fact remains that Residential Life seized and disposed of my personal property. What I find most troubling is the fact that some simple research, or basic knowledge of residents, would have prevented this unfortunate situation.
With occurrences such as these on Trinity’s campus, it is of little wonder why many students apply to be released from our three year housing requirement.
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