Originally published on March 13, 1997
Victims of Friday night’s fire in Ogg Hall are moving along with their lives, for better or for worse.
Although all students displaced by the blaze now have roofs over their heads, all was not well when displaced Leith House residents regrouped at Ogg Wednesday night to discuss post-fire concerns.
One sixth-floor resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was expelled from University Housing when police searched his room after the fire and found illegal drug paraphernalia.
The resident said police went through his drawers and closet to find the equipment, which was not in plain view.
He said he was not issued a citation for the violation because the police acknowledged the search was illegal, but they notified housing of the paraphernalia.
“I can’t understand how university law is above the Constitution of the United States,” the resident said. “We’ve received the most foul treatment from the higher levels of [University Housing].”
Problems have also resulted from some of the temporary relocations the residents have been assigned by housing.
Several residents were involved in a fight witnessess described as a “turf war.”
Two sixth-floor residents were assigned to a temporary room in the ninth-floor den.
Several ninth-floor residents, apparently upset about losing their lounge, harassed the den dwellers Monday and Tuesday, and the disagreement came to blows early Wednesday morning, residents said.
Witnesses said the fight took place outside the ninth-floor den and later outside Ogg, where they said the victims were “jumped” by several assailants.
An onlooker said one victim, a sixth-floor resident, sustained a concussion “and probably bruised ribs.” Police & Security issued several underage drinking citations on the ninth floor.
Despite the problems, the students are, for the most part, getting along in their new homes. Many are living with friends off-campus, others moved to other rooms provided by University Housing and several have been able to stay together with roommates.
Many from the close-knit group have stayed in touch with each other, not wanting to break up the cohesion they had developed during the year.
“We all felt like we were a part of something,” said resident Michael Dymzarob.
