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Fall Break power shut off led to spoiled food


It has come to my attention that over Fall Break the power must have been turned off in Ellington Hall. It seems to be a misconception on the instructions or “closing guidelines” that were set for Fall Break.

If you refer to the Break Housing and Closing brochure which was issued by the Department of Housing, you will find a list of closing guidelines in which students are to follow.

According to guideline three, students need to “unplug all electrical items except for refrigerators.”

One can only insinuate from this guideline that the power will remain on during Fall Break. However, upon my arrival to the university Oct. 20, at approximately 5:15 p.m., it seems that the power had been shut off.

The reason why I am voicing my issue is because the contents in my refrigerator were not in the same state in which I left them.

By saying that the power was shut off, keep in mind that I acquired many items in my refrigerator, especially my freezer.

Over the two and half years that I have been here, a situation like this has never occurred. Therefore, I am interested in the solutions of those who may have some input of what needs to be done.

Since this situation has occurred, I personally will have to throw away $50 of groceries.

I am quite upset, displeased, and bothered by this situation. I do not appreciate it when I am told to “unplug all electrical items except the refrigerators” and then return to find the power has been turned off.

The power must had been turned back on today, Sunday Oct. 20, because my refrigerator was defrosted.

Once before this issue was brought up. A plethora of opinions were voiced by people throughout the university, from faculty, staff, and students.

I am very disappointed in the way things are being done as far as housing. I need to know what I should do to rectify this situation, so that it will not happen again.

I do not know if much can be done because the damage has been done. But, when I throw away $50 of my own hard earned money, I am indeed going to be upset about it.

Also, it was brought to my attention that many other students living in Ellington Hall have also suffered losses because of the so-called “power shutdown.”

In addition to this, my suitemate said that he had a loss of food because of this shutdown. I am not for sure how many people will bring this problem to the light, but I must bring it to someone’s attention.

I am sure that the university is trying to keep its’ students happy, but I do want people to realize that this is why so many people move off campus, or just go to another school.

If you can give me some reason of why the power was turned off, and why all of my food has now gone bad, please feel free to give me some feedback so that we can correct this infraction and stop it from happening again.

Dorian K. McKinney is a junior Economics major from Memphis.