Where there's smoke Seton Hall tragedy signals 'U' needs changes Tragedy beset Seton Hall University last week as a fire in the Boland Residence Hall claimed the lives of three students and left five others in the hospital. The residence hall was ill-equipped to handle the fire, as no sprinkler systems were installed in the dorm. Seton Hall's lack of sprinklers most likely contributed to the magnitude of the fire, as did the 18 false alarms at Boland since the start of the fall semester. False alarms are the norm and the vast majority of dorms nationwide are without sprinkler systems - a dangerous combination, especially when the typical dorm crams 1,000 students into its quarters. Just recently an electrical fire in Mary Markley Residence Hall caused severe damage to a room on the sixth floor. Like Boland, Markley does not have sprinkler systems. Not only should The University add systems to all residence halls, but the state should require them. Several alternatives would not only provide safer dormitories for University students but would also increase fire education across our campus. The first of these is a change in University policy that would require all residence halls to install sprinklers. This change in University policy would nicely complement a new piece of Michigan legislation that would mandate fire safety sprinklers in dormitories. University residence halls must also provide students with a clearer picture of what their room's electrical outlets can handle. Not only is the wiring old in many buildings, but it is maxed out by two computers, stereos, T.V.'s and hairdryers. Most new students, when arriving at school each fall, have no idea over-used electrical outlets provide a serious fire safety hazard. A simple brochure at new student orientation would provide students with a better understanding of how wonderful the surge protector actually is. Even offering a discounted surge protector to each student would make it obvious how well these handy items actually work. Education is always the most preventive method of fire safety. One only need look at the staircases in South or West Quad to see what not to do architecturally when preparing a building for fire evasion. If students were to try to walk down to the ground floor on the staircase next to the sixth floor's elevator lobby in South Quad, they would become frustrated. This is because that person would end up on the fifth floor, terribly confused, as the stairs stop on this floor, then start up again on the third floor. If a person attempted to escape a fire using these stairs, they would not only be frustrated, but also in danger. There are many examples of this staircase situation in both buildings, not just on the sixth floor. The most disturbing idea is that both residence halls house at hundreds of students, yet it can be quite confusing for these students to escape a fire in their own building. Re-assessing the University's fire code uncovers many faults with the lack of fire sprinklers, fire education and dormitory infrastructure. Perhaps with help from the Michigan legislature, we can make fire safety more of a priority. Originally on page 4A in the 1-27-2000 issue of the Daily.