Insider theft at Rice University

moonchild
Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:48:12 +0000

concernparent-
Again, I’m sorry for your son’s loss of his belongings. I do think, at most universities, it’s never wise to leave your belongings in any room that is not your locked dorm room. A lab is actually a public space, even if it can be locked, as many people use it and many may have keys.

For example, if we had heard of valuables can get stolen in a locked room at Rice, this would never have happened.



Valuables can be stolen from a locked room at any university, in any city in any country- especially if that room is one used by many people, such as a lab.

You mention that your son has a disability, but haven’t told us much about it. I gather that is why they carrying of a backpack might be difficult. I think if this were my son,(if he were in college at all, which may be questionable at this point) I would be thinking of ways to lighten his load. He should not be needing to carry books around like kids do in high school, as they are usually not needed for lectures and classes- just for studying later. He can put his phone and wallet in his pockets and put his lunch and laptop (look for a very lightweight one) and whatever notebooks he needs for the day in a small backpack.

You mention that your son is very young for someone going to college, and you sound like a mom who is not very comfortable with your son being far away, having to handle a lot of things on his own. Maybe he isn’t quite ready for the experience. There’s no shame in that. Frankly, if I had a son with disabilities, even if he were intellectually ready, I doubt I would want him to start college several years ahead of his peers. The fact that your son was emotionally affected to the point of illness over losing his belongings makes me think he may not be ready for the rigors of living on his own or attending a university where everyone else has several more years of maturity under their belts. It’s hard to do your best learning when you’re struggling with everyday logistics and life skills.