First-year residence students are quickly faced with the realities of living without their parents to cook, clean and generally usher them through their daily routine. Smacked in the face with independence and individual responsibility, many students take the opportunity to “make bad decisions.” And the general attitude of most people is that that’s part of the learning experience.
Not for David Skidmore, a former Carleton student who is suing the university and two former students for $750,000 stemming from a residence altercation in 2003. Apparently, Skidmore believes it is the university’s job to be his personal bodyguard.
In his statement of claim, Skidmore blames the university for neglecting to foretell the potentially violent nature of his attackers. But since when is it the university’s job to psychoanalyze, label and track the movement of every student? Someone needs to tell this guy that university students are adults, and the university treats them as such.
Yes, there are protective measures in place, but no one is going to hold your hand. The university, with housing services, does an excellent job providing trained res fellows and res security to ensure safety in the residences. Even then, however, there’s only so much they can do before individuals need to take responsibility for their own well-being.
That includes getting themselves out of potentially dangerous situations.
It is the extremely rare first-year student who wants — or expects — a babysitter in residence. In fact, many res fellows know only all too well the withering glances following their warnings or write-ups.
With freedom and independence comes responsibility. Skidmore should not try to remove that responsibility from his shoulders and place it on the back of the university.