Students confess to incident

Two University of Regina students are being evicted from the south residence today after confessing to breaking a sprinkler that caused between $150,000 and $200,000 of water damage to the building last month.

John Smith, U of R associate vice-president of student affairs, said the two students confessed Monday night to damaging the sprinkler head on the sixth floor. They have until 4:30 p.m. today to vacate the residence.

Smith said the investigation into the matter is still ongoing by U of R security and the Regina Police Service. At the conclusion of the investigations and depending on the findings, further discipline against the students — such as fines or expulsion — could follow.

“The portfolio reports to me — the residence. I am also in charge of student conduct, so that comes through my office,” said Smith.

He added the damage to the residence would be covered by the university’s insurance.

Smith wouldn’t disclose any details about the identities of the students for privacy reasons.

On Sept. 28 at around 1 a.m., students woke up in the residence to the sound of a fire alarm. About 150 students were evacuated as water poured from the damaged sprinkler system. Sixteen students on the sixth floor were required to find alternate accommodations until they were able to return to the residence two days later.

The 12-floor residence tower can accommodate 350 students.

Elizabeth Popowich, spokeswoman for the RPS, said the matter is being treated as a criminal investigation, but noted that it’s too soon to say what will be the outcome of the investigation.

“Things that may start out as a criminal allegation don’t always end up in criminal charges, but that’s the whole point of the investigation,”

she said.