Dorms Missing Certificates

Many of the certificates of inspection currently displayed in first-year dorms expired more than six months ago, although College officials said yesterday that bi-annual dorm inspections were completed as usual a few weeks into the summer.

College officials interviewed yesterday attributed the lapse--which is in violation of state law--to a combination of vandalism, red tape and a glut of administrative paperwork.

"I would suggest that they had been posted, but that they've been removed. Someone comes by and they want a souvenir," said Frank J. Moore, Harvard's manager of support services in energy management. "I'm sure they've been done. It takes a while for the paperwork to go through."

The posted date of inspection in most of the first-year dorms is March 15, 1991.

Moore said the inspections, which the College and city conduct twice a year, occurred within three weeks after Commencement, although he could not give the specific date.

'Nightmare'

"Paperwork has become a nightmare," he said.

Michael Micoloro, the city's chief wiring inspector, yesterday questioned the College's lack of compliance with Massachusetts State Building Code. "As soon as they receive the certificates, they're supposed to post them. I don't understand why they're not up," he said.

"Vandalism is a problem," Micoloro added. "People get a kick out of it."

The situation has raised safety concerns among some students.

"It seems, I would guess, that the administration would keep on top of that," said Cyrus Komer '95 of Matthews Hall. "If it's only been a few months, though, I quess it's not a big deal."

Jennifer Kearney '95 of Grays Hall called the expiration of the certificates "disconcerting."