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The Rice Thresher
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by Matt Cuddihy thresher staff As Sid Richardson College Night wound to an end around 4 a.m. Saturday, an individual or several individuals finished the celebration by throwing numerous objects from the sixth- and seventh-floor balconies, including a couch, a recliner, a keg container, a recycling bin, a skateboard and several pillows. No one was injured by the falling objects, and the people involved are still unknown. The couch was destroyed and the front banister of the main entrance was dented. Because throwing anything other than free-flowing water off the balconies violates the Sid Constitution, Sid requested that the University Police close the balconies until March 31. The constitution requires a minimum five-day lock-down of all balconies after such an incident. "In light of the seriousness of last night's incident, the balconies will be locked today and will remain closed until 6:00 a.m. on the day of Beer Bike, March 31. Someone could have been killed," read an e-mail written by Sid President Laura Rees and Chief Justice Myrna Salinas to the Sid listserv. Sid President-elect Anisha Patel said that a similar event, the throwing of a couch and chair from the second-floor balcony, occurred last spring. The balconies were locked down for five days as a result. The constitution also states that Food and Housing can charge a $500 fine for each item thrown from a balcony. Patel agreed that last weekend's incident cannot be taken lightly. "Someone could have been seriously injured," Patel, a junior, said. "That is why we have the balcony policy in the first place." In their e-mail, Rees, a senior, and Salinas, a junior, blamed the events on an overall lack of responsibility. "We as a college have been irresponsible all year," the e-mail stated. "Last night's events occurred as a result of our irresponsibility. At this point in time we need to accept the consequences of our actions and begin to act in accordance of the Sid Constitution and Bylaws. "Last night Sid students were not protected and there was a somewhat unpleasant environment. Hopefully everyone will try to be more respectful of one another in the future." Patel said so far, Sid residents seem to be responding to the closing of the balconies without complaint. "I have yet to speak with anyone who questioned the closing of the balconies," she said. "Sid knows that what happened was very dangerous and is handling the consequences without complaint." Sid senior Brooke Wheeler said closing off the balconies is inconvenient, but she agrees that throwing things off the balconies was dangerous. "I go out there on a regular basis, so I'm a little annoyed that they're closed, but I'll survive," Wheeler said. Sid sophomore Matt Williams said he is annoyed that the balconies are closed, but that the punishment is appropriate. "I think it sucks that they closed the balconies," Williams said. "I'd like to be outside in the nice weather. My friends have to go downstairs to smoke. However, I think it's a reasonable thing to do."
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