In an editorial, The North Texas Daily makes an obvious point:
If the structure wasn't meant to support the weight of grown adults, it is careless and irresponsible to have a fully functioning door that opens out to the area. It's either a door that leads to the balcony or a door that leads to the ground.
That's right, the balcony supposedly was decorative, but a door opened out to it. Who approved that design? Is that what you get from private enterprise?
Campus Crest officials apparently are not anxious to answer such questions. We know about that from firsthand experience. CEO Ted Rollins was involved in an alarming divorce case here in Alabama, one that public documents indicate was handled in an unlawful fashion. That resulted in a colossal cheat job for Sherry Carroll Rollins and the couple's two daughters, who now reside in Birmingham. Also, multiple former and current Campus Crest employees have filed federal lawsuits alleging that the company engages in sex and race discrimination. We have made multiple requests to interview Ted Rollins on these issues, and he has refused to be interviewed by "a blogger," one who has more than 30 years of experience as a professional journalist.
Ted Rollins might not be answering questions, but students at the University of North Texas are asking them:
Terrence Williams, a resident of The Grove and kinesiology sophomore, said the problem with the balconies worries him because there may be other safety concerns residents do not yet know about. "If there's one glitch, there's probably more," he said. "What I want to know is, what's going to happen next?" Williams said. . . .
Tarrolyn Williams, a former leasing assistant at The Grove, said she felt the building's construction was rushed, possibly contributing to the incident.
"It seemed like they started putting stuff together late July. The inside looks very thrown together," said Williams, a development and family studies senior at UNT. "I just really, really hope The Grove Apartments get it together, because they're putting students in danger."
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
