Reflective Essay on Violation of Fire Safety Rules

In late November my roommates and I were found to be violating student conduct policies that related to student housing. I was found guilty of tampering fire safety equipment and being in possession of drug paraphernalia. The witnesses included our building director, CA, and two public safety officers. After taking responsibility for those listed above I have been put on deferred housing, disciplinary probation, and had to complete two online programs related to the incident.

The first program I had to complete was marijuana 101. I was found to have drug paraphernalia that had marijuana residue. The program taught me the various effects of marijuana. When smoked, THC and other chemicals found in the drug pass through the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries it throughout the body and eventually the brain. People experience varies effects including an elevated sensory perception and increased appetite. People can also experience anxiety, fear, and panic. In larger quantities people can also hallucinate, delusions, and loss of the sense of personal identity. THC, which is found in marijuana can be detected in the body two to three weeks following the drug use. In Pennsylvania the use of marijuana for recreational purposes is illegal. Those found in possession of the drug can face heavy fines, jail time, and depending on the quantity receive a felony.

The other program that I had to complete had to do with fire safety. I took responsibility for covering the smoke detectors found in our common room area. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a crime. By doing so if there were a fire having the alarms covered would have likely delayed the detection. The delay would allow the fire to grow and spread further with there being any form of notice which could lead to lose of life and or severe injury. The program went over various incidents where campus fires occurred due to the students lack of regard for fire safety. Various incidents included saw the destruction of campus dorms and in some cases death. After participating in the program, I know never to tamper with fire safety equipment ever again.

Some decisions that I made that led to the incident included covering the smoke detectors knowing that it was a violation of student conduct and against the law. I also had drug paraphernalia in my dorm room. My roommate also had a bottle of alcohol in her possession and I knew about and should have told her that we are underage and urged her to dispose of it instead of leaving it in the dorm knowing that Kutztown is a dry campus. Decisions that I should have made were obviously not covering the fire alarms because I knew the possible consequences if caught. I should have also refused the drug paraphernalia when I first received it. While I didn’t say anything to my roommate about the alcohol after the incident I wish I would have said something or disposed of the alcohol myself.

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Personally, I knew what was found guilty of was wrong when I committed them before the incident occurred. I really should have listened more closely to my inner self saying that what I was doing was wrong and would lead to consequences. My conscience was telling me that what I was doing was wrong and I should have followed it in making these negative decisions.

The behavior impacted other because by tampering with the smoke detectors I could have delayed the response to a fire in the building and was therefore endangering the lives of others. The incident also involved public safety which took time out of their busy schedules for something that should not have taken place to begin with. It also impacted my building director because no she had to do an incident report and take time out of her schedule to go over everything and submit a report to housing, all because we broke student conduct rules.

If placed in the same situation again would definitely not happen because I now know to never cover the smoke detectors again and not have drug paraphernalia in my possession. This because of the consequences for my actions. I have been placed on deferred housing and disciplinary probation, meaning I am not in good standing with the university. I cannot represent the university in any outside activities that represent the school and cannot be in any leadership positions for an entire year. If the situation happens again I could be kicked out of housing or removed from the school. It would be very difficult to get in to another school knowing that I was kicked out of another and would affect my future in a negative way, potentially stopping myself from getting a degree and a good paying job. My family would also be very disappointed and angry with me and I could be kicked out for my actions. Overall it would be more embarrassing and humiliating than it already is and would stay with me for the rest of my life.

The situation has taught me various important things. I’ve learned the various effects and marijuana and how it can negatively affect my future and goals. If I am presented with the same drug paraphernalia again I know to rejected it immediately and just walk away from the situation, especially know that I have experienced the consequences and know that if it happens again the consequences will be more severe. I’ve learned various aspects of fire safety and now know to never tamper with such things ever again. I’ve also learned to just follow the rules and trust my instincts. I knew what I was doing was wrong and I chose to do it anyway, I know to listen to my conscience for future decisions especially for ones that if chosen poorly will result in punishment. I’ve also learned how this affects myself personally. I feel embarrassed and ashamed of my actions and will now have to remember this incident for the rest of my life. Overall, I am very sorry for my action and how it affects the university and myself and will make wiser decisions going forward.