5 Health and Safety Musts of Living in Community Dorms

Photo by Ashley Alonzo

Community halls are not as bad as pictured, well … unless the residents don’t know how to act or be responsible. The majority of people say “EWW” when the words “community halls” run across their conversation; however, you cannot judge a book by its cover, right? Yes, there are some major issues, but if addressed, community halls are not as bad. The following list is the most common issues that need to be discussed and addressed.  

1. Wash your hands

This issue not only happens in community bathrooms but everywhere, with the only difference that in community bathrooms, others can see you, and judge you. Dear peps, don’t wash your hands because you’ll get judged; wash them because health matters. If none of these two reasons work for you, then simply wash them. People will judge you and call you names, and nobody likes being called names, so be reasonable and wash your hands.

2. Take your trash out

Students might think their trash doesn’t affect the hall, but in reality, YOUR trash might make the whole wing smell like your room. So be considerate with your fellow neighbors and do them (and yourself for that matter) a favor by taking your trash out. This will only be in benefit to better your and everyone’s community hall experience.

3. Keep it down

Whether you are listening to music, watching TV, talking to a friend or doing a significant other, remember the walls are not soundproof, and they can hear you, too! Keep it down, especially during quiet hours.

4. Bring your keys, ladies

This past week it became a big issue of forgetting keys for the ladies’ hall. Yik-Yak and Twitter have heard all about it, too -- not that they are any more interested than we are. Ladies bring your keys or text a friend to let you in. Not everyone is going to hear you and say “oh they need my help, leave it up to me.” No … be respectful to others, and don’t be so loud. That’d be great.

5. Can you PLEASE flush the toilet?

It takes about two to three seconds to flush a toilet. Trust me: Nobody wants to see what kind of present you dropped. If you think the handle has germs, remember: You can, and should, always refer to #1. And why not sanitizer as well?

So there you have it. Now you know what five things to work on to make everybody’s experiences better!