Locker - Hazardous Material?

Sanguine Fan

Among the rules relating to the use of lockers is that a laptop "or any hazardous material" can't be stored there.

Does anyone know why a laptop is considered to be hazardous? Have they been known to explode or spontaneously combust? Are they allowed on the campus at all?

Maldesu

The key word there is OR. I'm sure they have exploded or combusted depending on circumstances.
Laptops aren't supposed to be left in lockers. They don't explain their reasoning, but its probably to discourage theft, not that it would make a difference since there are more laptops available for stealing in the library than anywhere else.
Naturally, laptops are allowed on campus.

Sanguine Fan

Maldesu wrote: »

The key word there is OR. I'm sure they have exploded or combusted depending on circumstances.
Laptops aren't supposed to be left in lockers. They don't explain their reasoning, but its probably to discourage theft, not that it would make a difference since there are more laptops available for stealing in the library than anywhere else.
Naturally, laptops are allowed on campus.

I take your point about the key word being OR, but why mention hazardous materials in the same sentence as laptops at all unless there is some sort of link?

Maybe they are trying to prevent theft. But the rules also state that any thefts are entirely at the user's risk, so I can't see why they would single out laptops for special mention.

I was being facetious about laptops not being allowed on campus but if they are deemed to be hazardous they could just as easily blow up in a lecture hall as in a locker. :eek:

Canard

I really don't think they're implying they're hazardous. They just don't want laptops left in lockers, presumably for fear of theft, and they don't want hazardous materials, for obvious reasons. Of course things like phones are valuable too but the first valuable that comes to mind in a college locker is a laptop.

Sanguine Fan

Patchy~ wrote: »

I really don't think they're implying they're hazardous. They just don't want laptops left in lockers, presumably for fear of theft, and they don't want hazardous materials, for obvious reasons. Of course things like phones are valuable too but the first valuable that comes to mind in a college locker is a laptop.

Fair enough. But if discouraging theft is the reason why not just warn users rather than state that keeping laptops in lockers is 'strictly prohibited'?

I mean, where are you supposed to leave a laptop that's safe or do you have to lug it around everywhere, i.e. to restaurants, the gym, etc.?

Is there a history of lockers being broken into?

Muir

Even though they state it's at your own risk I'd still say they're just being extra safe in covering themselves. Nothing to do with them being hazardous. I remember accidentally opening a locker two away from mine when I mixed up the number & it opened with my key. I haven't personally heard of things being stolen from lockers (I haven't bothered even getting one since 1st year because I never used it) but I wouldn't leave a laptop or anything else valuable. I'd carry it around with me, which is what I do now.

Maldesu

Sanguine Fan wrote: »

Fair enough. But if discouraging theft is the reason why not just warn users rather than state that keeping laptops in lockers is 'strictly prohibited'?

I mean, where are you supposed to leave a laptop that's safe or do you have to lug it around everywhere, i.e. to restaurants, the gym, etc.?

Is there a history of lockers being broken into?

The way I'd see it:

By prohibiting it, there is the expectation of compliance. Their aim isn't to keep your stuff save, it's to reduce the damage done to their property while making a few quid. If there are laptops in the lockers prompting a break in, then they have to replace the locker (damage depending). They'd probably ban you from having a locker after that.

Hazardous material would range from anything from Chemicals, explosives (eg fireworks), drugs or anything else than will damage the property, either from simply being or inadvertently.

You carry your laptop. From the UCD P.O.V laptops are not essential to lectures or tutorials. For comp sci etc, these classes are held in labs and you are provided with a computer.

Don't know about the history of lockers being broken into, but its better business to put a stop to it before it happens. Lockers are far to accessible to the general public.