About 95 percent of UD students live on campus, most of them in converted single-family homes like the one at 223 K St. UD has spent decades buying up and renovating century-old homes for student housing.
UD officials said they take seriously the safety of their students and the collapse appears to be a result of student negligence and poor judgment. The university is investigating the incident and student discipline is possible.
Bruce Burt, UD police chief, said excess weight was likely the cause. “I’m not sure the age (of the home) has anything to do with it,” Burt said.
The university’s student government association said it was concerned there could be structural problems with other homes. “We would like the administration to inform the entire student body about what new steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again,” the association said in a statement.
No one was injured and students quickly helped each other to safety, said Kristin Dormish, a senior from Cincinnati who was at the party when the floor gave way. “Someone had to pull me out,” she said.
University officials were told between 150 to 250 people attended the party, but Dormish said that was likely an overstatement.
“We have almost no problem with UD,” said Max Fuller of the city building department which inspects the homes each year. “This is a stray occurrence.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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