The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Opinions

EMILY WELLBAUM

You've heard the saying, "the straw that broke the camel's back." For me, it was more like "the hanger that broke my closet" one evening as I was cleaning my room.

As I hung up a pair of jeans, my whole closet and its contents came crashing down to my feet. The only thing not on the floor: the hanger I was about to place among the rest.

I sat stunned at the instant disaster created by the hangers and clothes all askew and mingled on the floor. I turned off the light, deciding to deal with the mess in the morning.

I awoke, of course, to the same problem. Getting dressed can be difficult when you have a jungle of fabric on your floor. My problem needed immediate attention.

I have few tools and even less skill in using them, so I called my property management company.

I have put enough holes in my parents' walls at home to know that I am not a professional handyman. This was a job for someone else.

I found that the solution wasn't as simple as calling in a work order. I learned I would be held responsible if I had "too many clothes," thus causing the closet to fall. That translated into my real money.

Like most students, I have limited funds, so the prospect of paying out of my own pocket to fix my closet did not appeal to me. But, I wondered, how much is "too many?"

I did my homework. I checked what my lease says about damages and repairs.

Yes, I would be financially responsible if I had used a fixture in the house in a negligent, irresponsible or inappropriate manner.

Come on, it's not like I wear metal armor or hanging dumbbells from my closet. I was just using my closet for closet purposes: clothes.

Next, I checked my student housing handbook for guidelines on weight limits or spacing on closet racks. None.

So this closet disaster was not my fault.

Happily, my property management company quickly came, fixed my closet and restored order to my bedroom floor - and didn't charge me.

The University offers many classes; however, it doesn't offer a class on handling personal disasters. Seemingly mundane events, such as a closet falling, can throw you for a curveball.

The lesson I walked away with after my disaster was important to me and students of the University: stay calm, stand up for yourself (even with property management companies) and always do your homework.

Sometimes things will be your fault, but if you are going to stand up for yourself, do it in a responsible manner.

As we continue to grow up and live independent lives, lessons like these will serve us well in the future for bigger disasters.


- Emily Wellbaum is a senior from Roswell majoring in publication management.

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