You may get your refund if you wish to do so. People are being moved by housing services to hotel rooms and houses off-campus. Only students from the first to fifth floor will be able to move back to Brandon but that's all the way in January. People from the sixth floor and above will not be able to move back for the rest of the academic year. Sunday is when they will figure out who ends up going where so until then people have to figure out places to stay at.

In addition to that, what's probably going to happen is that once January comes around, some of the students who lived on floors 1-5 will opt not to come back to Brandon since they may already be settled elsewhere and don't want to move again. Some places might then open up for those students who were displaced from floors 6-11 who may want to move back into the building. Just something to consider.

Isn't it possible for people from other residences to offer rooming to Brandonittes? Essentially turning a double into a triple and getting some compensation from the university. I'm from Les Prince and we definitely can rearrange some furniture to accommodate another roommate.

Anyone interested in private bathrooms? =P

It's theoretically possible, yes. Doubles have been turned to triples in emergencies before (hence the existence of the "temporary" bunk and loft triple rooms that were brought in for the double cohort space crunch), but it's never been done when people were already living in the rooms - essentially, they'd probably have to agree to it, or else it's like annexing their space.

Another thing they might do again (based on their double cohort experiences) is convert study rooms into bedrooms, but stuff like that is all just speculation at this point.

Is there a way to get my tuition money back as well..i dont think this is gonna work for me this year..

Originally Posted by aya017

LOL cippi and aj

so nino - what's the final word about the people who live in brandon? do they get refunds? are they being moved? can you still live in brandon?

You can read what McMaster is doing through the meeting notes that happened yesterday (see them here).

If you're wanting to help out and show your support, you can post in the relief thread here: http://www.macinsiders.com/showthread.php?t=1991 7 or contact the Off-Campus Housing Centre to let them know you have a place that you can give or rent out to the students needing housing.

Quick recap:
- Today and tomorrow students can take things out of the res in controlled manner, after that the items will be moved to a warehouse where they can be picked up. Heavier items you'll need to leave and they'll have movers to help bring those items out. Transportation and moving costs (renting a van to move things) will be reimbursed or provided by McMaster.
- McMaster is going to pay for housing and transportation, so if you go stay off-campus or in a hotel they will reimburse you for it. If you need transportation, they will provide money for taxi.
- All midterms and tests for Brandon Hall students can be moved to later dates, you need to just contact your faculty and request it
- Those living in floors 1-5 will be able to move back in starting in January
- Those living in floors 6 and above will need long term accommodation since they aren't able to return due to the fact that the elevators were severely damaged and fire code permits students from living in the upper floors until the elevators are working again (which it was mentioned could take as long as 9 months)

Kenvin100, talk to the associate dean of Engineering about that. I think you should be able tp pull out (at least get your tution for the remainder of the year), but don't quote me on that.

Originally Posted by Reno V

Isn't it possible for people from other residences to offer rooming to Brandonittes? Essentially turning a double into a triple and getting some compensation from the university. I'm from Les Prince and we definitely can rearrange some furniture to accommodate another roommate.

Anyone interested in private bathrooms? =P

It was mentioned that it would be a fire hazard or something like that because there may be like occupancy issues that would arise if they put more people in the building than it was built for. Housing will consider it as it was brought up last night by a parent, too.

It's really nice of you to have thought about that though! =)

Originally Posted by samantha__

Kenvin100, talk to the associate dean of Engineering about that. I think you should be able tp pull out (at least get your tution for the remainder of the year), but don't quote me on that.

Thanks, but I changed my mind, After a day's sleep Im still planning on completing all scheduled labs, midtersm and assignments..it sounds impossible but im gonna do it!

Even if I dont do as well as hoped for, I can always go for a victory lap..theres no shame in failing uni..the standard doesnt get any higher than this..

Originally Posted by kenvin100

Thanks, but I changed my mind, After a day's sleep Im still planning on completing all scheduled labs, midtersm and assignments..it sounds impossible but im gonna do it!

Even if I dont do as well as hoped for, I can always go for a victory lap..theres no shame in failing uni..the standard doesnt get any higher than this..

Good luck! We're all behind youu on this dude. let us know if we can help in any way at all.

Okay any one looking for a place to stay tomorrow night Wednesday Oct. 22, 2008- Friday Oct. 24, 2008. Look no further, if you are male, don't mind sharing a motel room for $50/ a night(which I'm sure McMaster is going to pay you back for) then contact me my msging me on MacIniders. I've been living with friends uptil now but I probably a burden for them so I'm getting a place in downtown Hamilton for 2 nights and after that if you want you can get another friend to stay there.

This is soo sad. It truly ruins first year experience. I am still in shock and disbelief.

What's happening to Residence Staff? Are they being re-located to supervise other building? Or have they been dismissed from their roles/responsibilities?

Originally Posted by ritzzz

This is soo sad. It truly ruins first year experience. I am still in shock and disbelief.

What's happening to Residence Staff? Are they being re-located to supervise other building? Or have they been dismissed from their roles/responsibilities?

Residence staff will not lose their positions or lost anything due to the fire. There will be a lot of work involved in the recovery, the university was very clear about this last night.

- Joey

Originally Posted by wintermelon

Nobody's blaming the institution, but a university with a higher percentage of "academically oriented" students would be likely to have a lower percentage of idiots.

I volunteer to join the ranks of McMaster's newly formed idiot police. My weapon of choice: frying pan.

Well I really don't agree with your opinion here that "Academic orientation" etc have anything to do with such behaviour.I have relatives/cousins etc who have studied at some pretty "rigourous" places like Harvard,Cornell and M.I.T. and they have told me loads about their/general hazing/pranks/hooliganish behaviour during their time there....Freedom does bring with it a wide variety of behaviour that might be branded as "anti social" and plain "idiotic" by the norms of society however it always has been a part university experience for decades and will continue to be...behavior that we are too institutionalized and patronized to do at high school and too old to do after we graduate...We do stupid stuff learn..grow up and laugh about it later.
That being said what is important here is the question wether the miscreants knew exactly what the consequences of their actions were: it would be a criminal offence of "arson" in that case(possibly attempted mass murder!) on the other hand chances are(And I'm LEANING towards this view) that the individual was too big and shortsighted idiot or too drunk(It being a homecoming weekend) to realize the implications of what he thought was just lighting a mini bonfire in the elevator!!
But neverthless the police have come out the very next day claiming arson...only time will tell and IF the miscreants are caught what really happened....
Lol..rant over...

It was a case of arson... a willful, and deliberate crime and no amount of drugs, alcohol or stupidity will be an excuse for the person who did this... I mean, under no situation could anyone ever think that a fire in a building would not cause harm to the building... and to the people in the building.

Four students were taken to the hospital... many others have lost the ability to feel truly safe when they turn in at night... and not only the students involved but the parents as well.

I am sorry but as with driving under the influence, arson is not excusable in any case, and I will never make an excuse for either.