Sophomore David Holtkamp has been living on campus for three semesters now, but this is the first time he has ever received six months probation for violating the fire code after getting caught with incense in his University dorm room.
Holtkamp knew room checks were going on during Halloween week, but he didn't think he would get in trouble for having an incense holder in his Student Residence Center room.
"I figured the burners were OK because it was a decoratory thing," Holtkamp said.
He received a letter about a week later informing him that his room violated UNM's fire safety code, he said. He was put on probation until March of 2004 and was required to attend a fire safety workshop.
"I don't understand why there is a six month probation," Holtkamp said. "I think it's a little overdone."
Dean of Students Randy Boeglin said attending a fire safety workshop and six months probation is the common disciplinary action for students who are caught with candles or incense in their dorm rooms.
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Students living on campus are subject to random room checks, which happen once a month in the apartment-style dorms, and less often in traditional-style dorm rooms, Boeglin said.
"These are life and safety checks," Boeglin said.
Room checks are announced beforehand and done during a stipulated week by resident advisers. They go into dorm rooms and check extension cords to make sure they don't violate the fire safety code and for things like incense and candles, both of which violate the code.
The R.A. staff just looks around; they don't open doors, Boeglin said.
"It is not a room search," he said.
The most common items they find are candles, which are the number one cause of fire in residence halls at universities, Boeglin said.
"Students have a difficult time with that because students like candles," Boeglin said.
When students move into the residence halls they are required to sign a contract stating that they won't have incense or candles in their rooms. They are also required to sign a statement saying they agree to read the contract, Boeglin said.
"It's their responsibility," he said.
Holtkamp said he read the contract and was aware of the fire code, but that last year when he lived in Santa Ana Hall he had candles as decorations and never got in trouble. He said he was surprised he was cited for incense burners during this room check.
Holtkamp attended the workshop Tuesday evening at his SRC building with four other students, most who attended because they too had been caught with candles or incense in their rooms.
"I don't understand how the workshop is useful," Holtkamp said. "I felt like I was in Boy Scouts again because it was all about what causes fire."
Holtkamp said he sees incense as a potential danger, but thinks that drugs and alcohol are a bigger danger.
Boeglin said that if drugs or alcohol are found during room checks, students receive a charge letter and will have to explain how these substances got in their rooms.
The disciplinary action for drugs and alcohol, as well as for candles and incense, are standard procedure, he said.
"It's a ridiculous policy," Holtkamp said. "Now I'll go through the trouble of putting it away for a week."
