Several students returned from Spring Break to find their locked dorm rooms had been robbed, although the residence halls had been closed in their absence.
According to Campus Police, six thefts were reported on multiple floors of both Travers and Wolfe halls following the break.
Nicole Mummey, freshman English and special education major, immediately noticed her iHome clock radio was missing when she returned. Searching her room further, she discovered that her Super Nintendo and the games for it were also gone.
Mike Merkowsky, freshman open options major in the School of Science, could not find the $30 tool kit normally located in his closet when he moved back into his room Sunday night.
These students filled out reports with Campus Police. Det. Sgt. James Lopez said over the phone that the incidents were under investigation. However, he would not divulge any specific measures being taken. "It's still too early to say what's going to happen," he said.
Students expressed little confidence that they would see their lost possessions again. "I know there's not a whole lot they could really do," Merkowsky said. He said that he only wants to find out how the thefts happened so that they might be prevented in the future.
"I'd like to be reimbursed because I left for break, locked my door and when I came back and unlocked it, my stuff was gone," Mummey said. "So as far as I'm concerned, this isn't my fault."
Alison Morgan, senior Spanish and international studies major and community advisor (CA) to Wolfe 4, said, "There shouldn't have been anyone with access to the buildings." She explained that Building Services and Facilities employees were not in the buildings during Spring Break. "There's no one here, so there's no mess to clean up," she said. She also expressed doubt that any of the missing items would be returned, citing the lack of witnesses or any other evidence.
Kevin Mnich, assistant residential director, revealed via e-mail that the resident directors, area directors, building services and facilities personnel had swipe access to the buildings.
Before break began, the responsibility of emptying and securing the buildings fell to Mnich and a closing team comprised of CAs, who ensured that every door was locked and that the building entrances and exits were secure.
But despite these measures, Mnich said, "they are certainly not air-tight."
"Short of a paid security guard sitting at every door checking IDs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," Mnich said, "the building is susceptible to break-ins and unauthorized access."
