University of Virginia Library

Housing Explains Policy
Regarding Dorm Waterbeds

By TERRY JASPERSON

The past several weeks have seen a
blossoming controversy over the Housing
department's policy concerning
water-beds.

Mr. Main explained the policy and the
reasons behind it, Friday, in an effort to
clear the air.

He said that only three students had
asked permission to install waterbeds and
that this was allowed only on an
experimental basis. The rest of the
waterbeds in the dorms were illegally
installed, that is they were installed
without permission.

The three students came to Mr. Main
in September asking if they could install
their waterbeds, which they had brought
from home. They were asked to put their
request in writing. In making the written
request, it was agreed among housing and
the students that the beds would not be
filled to capacity and that the students
would take full responsibility for any
damage that might result. "Later on", Mr.
Main said, "people just brought
waterbeds in, so we discontinued the
policy except for those three." The
decision to discontinue the policy was
based still further on apprehension of the
damage waterbeds might cause. Mr. Main
cited the weight of the beds and the
potentiality of water damage, should a
bed break.