Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Being a deskie and working for the dorms isn’t exactly an easy job, because hell breaks lose almost every weekend.
By Tyler Doehring
Dorm residents have always been mixing alcohol with the strict rules of KU residency. As a former Hashie, I’ve been there and done that. When the majority of freshmen move into the wonders of dorm living, they embrace their freedom by secretly taking a couple of shots behind closed doors and venturing outside to celebrate their independence, but this becomes a problem when these risqué activities aren’t performed in moderation.
Going from a resident that must abide by rules to a deskie whom must enforce them, is a major change. At the beginning of last semester, I started my job by answering the phone at the desk and working security shifts on Friday nights. Now, the life of a deskie also includes lack of a consistent sleep pattern because shifts have to be covered 24/7. When the clock strikes 11 p.m. I am stuck working security until 6 a.m. every Friday.
A whole new world presents itself when the sun sinks behind Daisy Hill. When it gets dark, the lights go on in the dorms, and I’m stuck at a desk desperately trying to stay awake, but lately, that hasn’t been much of a problem because of the lack of residential cooperation.
I hate busting people in the dorms, but when it’s seriously evident that rules are being broken, the deskie side of me has to enforce them. But I’ve also become a bit bitchy and impatient with the consistent disrespect.
When I say disrespect I mean the things that happen when the night progresses and drunks flood the halls.
Destruction takes place: Ceiling tiles are torn down and broken, posters on walls are destroyed, and a lot of lobby furniture always manages to either be damaged or misplaced. There may even be vomit for us to clean up. It just seems like common sense to respect the surroundings that people live in, but it’s not happening.
In a way it’s also been entertaining (but annoying) watching everyone come in around midnight or 1 a.m. wasted. After we set up the desk, almost every resident that comes through complains about having to swipe their card or check in their guests. I hear this all of the time and frankly, I am a bit sick of hearing it. But sometimes, people can’t even swipe their card because they’re too drunk.
Some girls will come in, looking like they’re about to fall over (a side note: don’t wear high heals if you can’t walk in them), their make-up is smudged from crying, and they look like they might puke on someone. I also see many girls cry, but the funniest thing I’ve seen so far was when one girl was screaming and crying into her phone, “I can’t believe you danced with her all night at Abe and Jakes!”
Aside from handling pathetic and dramatic situations, people actually play beer pong in their dorms. As a former resident, I wonder what these people think they’re doing. It’s impossible to pull this off because, surprise!, cans and ping-pong balls make noises. I’ve walked by a few rooms on my rounds and have heard these noises loud and clear. An occasional, “Oh no! I missed, I suck at this game,” has accompanied these obvious noises as well.
When all of this goes on, a deskie has to do her job. I don’t get any joy in writing people up, but honestly, it should be easy for residents to use common sense and common curiously. I absolutely hate cleaning up after residents at 4 a.m., so please, have your fun, but tone it down a bit.
Osterhaus is a Seneca sophomore in journalism.
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