College Won't Pay for Flood Damages

University officials hinted yesterday that Hollis Hall residents will have to pay for the damage caused to their personal property during a flood there last Friday night.

Kathleen A. Bray, superintendent for the first-year dorms, said yesterday that students affected by the deluge should look to their parents' homeowners insurance, not Harvard, for money.

Bray said that prospective first-years were informed over the summer that the College would not be financially responsible for student property.

"Harvard will act in the best interests of everyone," Bray said.

According to Jean E. Lucey of the Boston Insurance Library, homeowners' policies typically cover at least $1,000 of losses for a student living away from home.

"There is coverage for personal property away from the premise," Lucey said, "such as a student's property."

Bray's statements represent a shift from what Hollis students were told after the flood last week.

After a student accidentally turned on the dorm's sprinkler system, Harvard told affected residents that the University's insurance would help pay for damage to their property.

Since then, Hollis students have heard nothing definitive from Harvard officials.

"You have a bunch of students in Hollis wondering what's going to happen," dorm proctor Jay E. Bradner '94 said yesterday.

Bradner also said Harvard officials have given dorm residents no information about whether they will have to pay or not.

"I'm a little curious why they haven't got in touch with me yet," Bradner said.

The department of facilities and maintenance has been as yet unable to survey the building for a damage estimate.

No official estimate will be made until Bray's office finishes "filling out paperwork for Harvard's insurance department," she said.

Officials at the University's insurance office refused to talk to the Crimson yesterday. "It's just standard policy," said Lee Ann Ross, assistant manager of the department. "It has nothing to do with this loss in particular.

No official estimate will be made until Bray's office finishes "filling out paperwork for Harvard's insurance department," she said.

Officials at the University's insurance office refused to talk to the Crimson yesterday. "It's just standard policy," said Lee Ann Ross, assistant manager of the department. "It has nothing to do with this loss in particular.