Leak of the week
It’s strange how they’ve stopped calling this place “new” in their official communications…
… because shame leads to change.
As part of our ongoing efforts to highlight the crumbling infrastructure at the University of Regina, the Carillon proudly presents the seventh part in our “Leak of the Week” feature, bringing you the vital stats on the different failing roofs around campus (before the cold weather freezes this feature solid).
Location: Located on the third floor of the “new” residence building, this leak just happened to pop up ten feet outside the front door of the person who writes “Leak of the Week.” Unfortunately, the line between incompetence and malice has become rather blurred lately, and it is impossible to determine whether or not this was intentional.
Leaking: No. Shortly after this photo was taken, workers managed to stem the torrential flow, and the bucket has since been (optimistically) removed. The soaked ceiling tiles have been relocated to the adjacent stairwell, where conditions are better for mildew.
Nickname(s): “The Equalizer” (named by residents of the new towers, who no longer have to feel inferior due to their building’s humiliating lack of leaks).
Apparatus: Turning to a classic solution, the workers here invoked the bold aesthetic of the iconic yellow mop bucket. Critics agree that this is a functionally elegant design choice, which would garner approving nods from Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater indeed.
Number of people working on it: 0.
Age: One week.
Has it been fixed yet: Partially. Hey – it’s better than nothing.
Current status: Shameful.
Impact on students: While students in the new residence are largely unaffected by this leak, it does serve as a metaphorical handful of salt rubbed into the still-healing wound of paying full price to live in an unfinished building. If this leak could talk, it would be giving advice about trusting the kind of people who expect you to pay the whole year’s rent before showing you the room.
Student comment(s): “It’s about time! I’m paying top dollar for this room, so I expect top leaks!”
“I was actually just thinking we needed more construction around here.”
Personal Note: During my first month in residence, I complained about paying full price for an unfinished room in a building advertised as “new,” and requested a portion of my rent back (a process which is ongoing).
Director of Student Affairs Operations Bettina Welsh gave me a hundred-dollar Co-op gift card and a U of R sweater as an apology for the initial inconvenience, but stated that refunding any portion of my rent would “set a precedent.” If you live in the new residences, you should be entitled to the same, as long as you’re willing to speak up.
If you know of any leaks on campus, or other examples of failing infrastructure that the university should be ashamed of, please contact news@carillonregina.com.
