Written by Amanda Damon
In the Guide to Moving and Packing on the Alfred State website, “Christmas/holiday lights and strip lighting” are listed under what not to bring. This ban on string lights currently includes all plug-in and battery-operated lighting. Conversations around an amendment to this ban have been taking place for the last year. Though Alfred State currently bans all types of string lights, other SUNY institutions allow battery-operated LED string lights in dorms as they are a safer alternative to traditional Christmas lights. Since this ban is clearly not a SUNY ruling, students are asking that school leadership review and amend the current ruling.
As a result of continued efforts to enact changes to Alfred State’s ban on all string lights, the issue was brought to the school’s Housing Committee. On September 16th, the issue of the ban on decorative lighting, specifically LED lights that are battery powered, was brought up during the Housing Committee meeting.
There is widespread support for the modification of previous school rules to allow for battery-operated LED string lights, though there is still a long process before the change is fully implemented. Despite the long road ahead, the support and movement so far are great first steps to change. In emailing Matt Ryan, Senior Director of Residential Services, Mr. Ryan said after the Housing Committee meeting that “there is administrative support for battery-operated LED, and we will commence with the vetting and approval process or something similar.”
The next steps include figuring out a way to ensure that students are using appropriate lighting rather than string lights that present a safety hazard. Though there was a concern raised about the inconvenience to residential staff in monitoring this, several RAs in a Campus Round Table meeting last year stated that it would add little to no extra work for them. With the support of students, RAs, and other campus staff, the issue is on its way to a resolution.
Allowing only battery-operated LED lights in student rooms and suites would encourage decorative freedoms while keeping students safe, as battery-operated string lights are much safer than their plug-in counterparts. Students have been voicing their desire for a change to this ban and it is time the school listened to the students, meeting them halfway to support creativity as well as safety.
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