Housing reviews bunk bed policy

Two students have fallen out of their bunk beds this semester, prompting the housing department to send an e-mail to all undergraduate students to warn them of the potential dangers of bunk beds.

According to assistant director of undergraduate housing Lisa DePaul, the accidents have prompted the University to explore possible housing policy changes.

"We will be reviewing the furniture policy as it relates to bunk beds," DePaul said in an e-mail. "We may make some changes."

DePaul said bunk beds will not be banned from University dorms, but students may obtain safety rails for their bunks.

"The policies that we have in place and continue to review are there to provide a safe living environment in the dormitories," she said.

Eric Shadek '05, a Wilson College resident and one of the two students who fell out of bed, has already looked into the necessary bunk bed security measures.

Shadek said he was sleeping early on a Friday morning in late September when he suddenly found himself off of his bunk and on the floor. He suffered a fractured wrist and has since taken safety precautions.

"I got a wooden safety rail," he explained. The other bunk bed victim could not be reached for comment.

DePaul also noted that students may install lofts in their rooms as an alternative to bunk beds.

"The housing inspections office has a pamphlet that any student constructing a loft is encouraged to read. Lofts must meet certain regulations," she explained.

Dr. Janet Neglia, director of clinical services at McCosh Health Center, said she is also aware of several injuries caused by falling out of beds.

"We've been asked [by the University] to collect some data on [student injuries sustained from falling out of bed]," she said. "I don't have the data collected yet." Neglia said more information will be available next week.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Donna Schleper, a nurse practitioner and coordinator for the inpatient service at McCosh, said in an e-mail, "I am aware that we have had some injuries due to falls from bunk beds, however it is not possible to obtain accurate statistics on short notice. We code a visit to McCosh by the injury sustained.

"There is no easy way to extract this information from our database without doing a chart review . . . [which is] very time-consuming," she explained.

According to DePaul, no lawsuit has been filed against the University. "We do not know the specific injuries sustained," she said. "Both students are on campus and attending classes."