Living on campus is freedom from your parents, a chance to live on your own and getting the full college experience. However, you have roommates, neighbors and Residence Life’s long list of rules to follow. 

So it feels a lot like living at home, except you pay a lot of money to share a broken toilet. 

“By accepting admission to Colorado Mesa University, each student agrees to live by the standards of this community,” an excerpt from the Residence Life Community Standards section of “The Maverick Guide.” 

Once a student has signed up to live on campus, they each had to sign a contract that listed the rules and expectations of a resident. 

These expectations are also outlined in “The Maverick Guide,” which is available for anyone to read on MAVzone. 

The listed policy that I have further questions about is in regards to the detailed use of balconies. 

“Objects, like blankets, banners, flags, etc. draped over balcony railings, which block balconies from view, are prohibited. This would also include, but is not limited to, bicycles, furniture, boxes, trash, etc.” 

Plenty of students on campus display flags, banners and decorations on their balconies, as well as store their bikes on the balconies. It was such a problem that it was put on the list of rules. So why not get rid of the rule if it’s not going to be enforced?

“Egress Obstructions (storage of bikes on balconies, etc.) – There must be a clear and easy secondary exit that may be readily located in the case of fire, smoke, sleepiness, intoxication, darkness, or the confusion of an actual emergency situation.” 

Not once, but twice is this policy about bikes listed and nothing is done about it. 

Again, if it’s such a problem then why is it tolerated? Why can’t Res Life either get rid of the policy or try to help students improve locations to safely store a bike?