"In the student handbook there's a list of what you can be charged for," he said.
But, he added, students are not warned of what the actual charges could be.
House superintendents said that the fines aren't intended to be punishments.
"These are not fines for misbehaving," said Coveney. "Damages are damages and every bit is costly. Most fines don't even cover the actual cost of repair."
Raneshia L. Smith '01 disagreed. The Dunster House resident was slapped with a $50 fine for a single thumbtack in the wall.
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"I could go to Dickson Brothers and get stuff to fix it up for five dollars," she said.