OUR VIEW: USU takes care of its own

Imagine coming home from class one day to learn that something has gone horribly wrong in your apartment complex and all residents will be forced to vacate the building for an undetermined amount of time. As bad as this situation sounds, it was reality for residents of Rich Hall in the Student Living Center last Friday when the boiler in the building exploded.

With no heat or appliances, these residents were forced to relocate. Fortunately for them, USU Housing Services quickly jumped in and took care of their needs. USU Housing Director Steve Jenson immediately set about securing alternative residences for these students while the boiler was being repaired and inspected.

These students were treated fairly and provided with comfortable living quarters. Residents were split between temporarily living in Richards Hall or the new Living and Learning Center, which is practically a four-star hotel. Meals were covered at the Marketplace or the Junction, giving these students the same treatment that typical residents of the LLC receive. Oh, and don’t forget about the free parking arrangements made for these students.

It can truly be said USU takes care of its own. Had this disaster happened off campus, arrangements would likely not have been as cushy, if the owners would have done anything at all. USU Housing lived up to what they say they stand for: a comfortable, affordable place for students to live.

USU Housing receives much kudos for their efforts in our book. The timely, efficient manner in which the events were handled and the ability to actually put students up in another location should be applauded. This was all done at the expense of the university. Add up the costs for each student to live in much nicer rooms for the relocation time, the free meals and the parking arrangement, and the university has eaten hundreds of dollars of its own money.

But that’s not what matters. What’s important is USU showed it truly does care about its students and will go through great lengths to take care of them. Perhaps this is a lesson other government agencies could take a lesson from. We offer our thanks and appreciation for taking care of the students.