Students move out of Davis Apartments after sewer line failure

Photo by Samantha Rosinski, Staff Photographer

Six Davis Apartments residents had three days to pack up their bags and move to a new room after a plumbing leak emerged. 

On April 24, three rooms in the Davis C Apartments got notice via email that they will need to be moved out of their current apartment by April 27. Students will be living in their new rooms for the remainder of the semester. 

While Davis undergoes plumbing repairs, the Residence Life Office suggested that students move all of their belongings out of their room, but told them they will still have access to the space if needed. 

Juan Tinoco, assistant dean of the Office of Residence Life and First-Year Experience, said that a main sewer line which services Davis C experienced a significant failure, prompting immediate safety and facilities concerns. 

Residence Life said that relocating students would help mitigate the facility issue so that no other residents were impacted. 

“The safety, well-being and comfort of our residents are always our top priorities,” said Tinoco. “The pipe break created conditions that were not conducive to safe or healthy living. With finals approaching, we felt relocation would provide students with a more stable and supportive environment.” 

As finals week approaches, Bella Ortiz, a sophomore communication studies major and Davis resident who moved out, said that this sudden relocation caused her distress. 

“This was very stressful considering how busy we are with little time for extra inconveniences,” said Ortiz. “This move-out was very inconvenient due to the time of year; with a month left in school, things have become very busy with upcoming exams, projects, work and prior commitments. I'm grateful we have somewhere to go.” 

This stress was also experienced by Abby Sellman, a sophomore business administration major.

“It forced me to reschedule an important grad school exam, because I wasn't allowed enough time to study due to the urgency of moveout,” said Sellman. 

Tinoco said that students were informed as soon as the issue was assessed and the need for relocation was confirmed. 

“The Residence Life team checked in with the students in-person, sent emails with detailed instructions and provided direct staff support during the move-out process,” said Tinoco.

Sellman questioned the need for urgency in this move-out. 

“I was very frustrated with the situation, but can understand why it had to happen, although I haven't seen any construction happening in my old room which makes me believe it may not have been as urgent as they let on,” said Sellman. 

Residence Life contracted with a moving company at no cost to students to assist with transporting belongings and minimizing disruption, according to Tincoco.  

Ortiz said that this experience is nothing new to her. 

“This isn't the first time I have had to be moved out of my Chapman residence,” said Ortiz. “My freshman year dorm (South Morlan Hall) was found to have mold on move-in day and we had to wait for facilities to determine if we could live there or not, resulting in us moving to another residence hall later that day.”