Quest for Justice

by CHRISTOPHER HOLLOMON

When was the last time you got charged for not breaking the law? Mine was a day ago. I have been charged with breaking the "spirit" of a violation. In what twisted world does that count in? The charge is a fire violation charge, and 16 weeks of academic probation. It would seem that this would a cut-and-dry situation, except my situation is unique.

When the fire alarm went off, I left from the third floor, exited the building, had my named signed in, and was instructed to reenter the building by the hall's fire marshal. When I entered the building, I noticed the fire alarm was still going on. I didn't think it was a big deal; after all, the fire marshal allowed me to come back in. I walked up the stairs and in to the hallway, where typically I would take the elevator back up.

At this point I found that nobody had followed me in, and due to the noise I didn't hear them leave. So what do I do? I turned and walk back outside until the fire alarm went off.

While in the hallway, the RA's saw me and afterwards proceeded to give me a violation on failure to exit the building. "Wait a minute, hold on" you say? I did leave the building didn't I? Well, the official rules in the handbook state that you are to be charged if you fail to leave the door in a timely manner, however I did that. There are no sub-rules that state that reentering the building is an offense.

I understand and do not condone people reentering the building during a fire drill. But this is an extraordinary circumstance that does not deserve the punishment received, especially since I didn't break any rules and I also followed what the fire marshal said. I hope to change this law to include reentering. I also hope to be found not guilty, for I did not do anything wrong in the eyes of the law. Hell, I've seen drug dealers get off with less.

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