Accident Prompts Toughts about Dorm Safety
By Crystal Calloway

Friends and family are still grieving the loss of Keith Shawn Smith almost a week after his tragic death at Stacy Residence Hall. Friday, Smith’s girlfriend arrived at the spot where he fell and was overcome by tears. His father, on the other hand, checked the window to make sure it was secure, so that an incident such as the one at Stacy won’t happen again.

But could it have been prevented?

An employee at UNC’s Office of Facilities and Planning pointed out that several building regulations, such as the tile in the staircase and the disability ramp below the window, are geared toward protecting residents in case of fire, not in an incident such as last week’s.

Stacy seemed to meet all of the standards, except one: Hall window sills are supposed to be nearly waist-high. After spot-checking around campus, it was clear most residence halls complied, but Stacy did not.

The sill that the two men fell through is only 2 and a half feet from the hallway floor, which is only about as high as a person’s knees.