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Maintaining dorm standards: Keep it clean, respect neighbors, follow the rules

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Earlandez M. Young
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  During the past month, there has been an increase in dorm inspections on Fairchild in an effort to make sure Airmen maintain dormitory standards.
     "The day-to-day living standards are not unrealistic goals. I know Fairchild Airmen can live up to the standards, which we expect from them," said Chief Master Sgt. Rudy Lopez, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief.
     With 10 dormitory buildings (two under construction) on base, housing nearly 400 Airmen, the care of dorm rooms is an often-heard topic.
     Unaccompanied housing in Fairchild dormitories is currently offered to senior airmen and below with less than three years of service. Before obtaining a dorm room, all members are briefed in detail regarding the rules, responsibilities and standards that are expected from them.
     While the majority of the dorm residents follow the rules and keep their room in regulation, the dorms are not without opportunites to improve.
     Another area of concern in the dorms here is smoking in undesignated places. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas.
     "It's stated in the commander's policy letter to smoke only in the designated areas," said Master Sgt. Frederick Asbury, dorm management superintendent. "By state law an individual who is smoking must be at least 50 feet away from buildings or any ventilation system."
     Many of the other issues with dorm occupants stem from differences in backgrounds and the fact that this may be the first time they are living on their own.
     While rules regarding cleanliness of rooms are not as stringent as those in basic military training or technical school, Fairchild dorm residents are still expected to maintain their room in accordance to Air Force Instruction 32-6005, Unaccompanied Housing Management.
     "We don't do white glove inspections," said Staff Sgt. Kathryn Knight, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron dorm management. "But, we do ask that it be kept neat and up to standards."
     To ensure standards are being met, "announced," "no-notice," "health and wellness" and "spot check" inspections are administered. 
     Dorm inspections are administered by commanders and first sergeants monthly and are done on a random basis, focusing on safety and health issues. All areas of the dorm rooms are inspectable.
     According to Knight, one of the most important pieces of advice she can give to Airmen living in the dorms is to get along and respect their dorm mates.
Fairchild leadership encourages courtesy among all dorm residents and prohibits loud noise, unapproved or loud social gatherings, and pets.
     Recently, Fairchild received two new dorms in support of the Dorms 4 Airman concept, a four-module dorm room setup. Instead of two Airmen each having their open sleeping quarters and sharing a bathroom and kitchen area, four Airmen have their own sleeping area and bathroom and share a common area which includes a big-screen TV and a laundry facility. There is also one other dorm under renovation for the Dorms 4 Airmen concept.
     Furthermore, dorm managers must do routine maintenance inspections to ensure the rooms and all common areas are in safe and good working order.
     Maintaining dorm rooms to the standards is simple - keep it clean, respect your neighbors and follow the rules.