Vandalism on the rise, costs escalate

News

By: Lauren Maze, Staff Writer

December 8, 2011

Vandalism at Luther College has been an increasing problem in recent years. Last year alone, over $20,000 was spent replacing lost or damaged signs, caf dishes and other
miscellaneous items.

While Luther does have significantly less reported vandalism than other schools, it is important to note that reported cases on campus have risen over the last few years.

“Last year we had 21 incidents of damage to property that were recorded,” Director of Campus Safety and Security Bob Harri said. “I would say this year, with all the signs, if
we’re not already at that number, we’re rapidly approaching it.”

Not only has the number of incidents increased, repairs have also been more costly. This is due to the number of lost or damaged signs, a damaged piano and a broken bench,
which was the gift of a donor. Already this year, to replace only the lost or damaged signs would be over $10,000.

“We had two educational signs along the path from Baker [Village] to [Sampson Hoffland] that talked about the prairie, rain gardens and the oak savanna that just disappeared,”
Assistant to the President Karen Martin-Schramm said. “It just makes me heartsick to see these signs destroyed because so much work has gone into them.”

Another major issue of concern is the stolen floor and dorm room signs in the residence halls. Many students take their old room number with them when they leave a dorm
for the year as a type of souvenir.

“What students don’t realize is that signs are a requirement from code,” Vice President for Finance and Administration Diane Tacke said. “The signs not only have to say the room number, but also have to have Braille so a student without
sight would be able to feel them. That’s why we can’t just paint the number on there – because it doesn’t meet code.”

While stealing residence signs is not a new issue, other types of vandalism at Luther are different this year.

“There’s been more of what I would consider senseless damage this year than in the last two years,” Harri said.

“We’re seeing a lot of bicycles get thrown around, so it’s both college property and personal property being damaged. I think it’s more of poor judgment, maybe it’s releasing energy, but it’s destructive and
expensive.”

To help address these vandalism issues, various students have been asked about types of solutions to help stop the vandalism.

“We’re trying to put it in the hands of students, like Student Senate to say ‘OK, what are some solutions to this?’” Tacke said. “One of the things I’ve
heard students say is maybe we offer a significant reward for information because someone must know who’s doing this, so would a reward system work?"

Another possible solution would be to create an additional part of tuition that goes to paying for vandalism expenses.

“We’re hopeful that getting the word out will decrease the vandalism,” Tacke said. “If it doesn’t, the only thing we can do is to establish a bucket of money in our budget to manage this. That will
have an impact on comprehensive fee, but right now we don’t have that bucket.”

Luther is hopeful that this extra fund won’t be needed if more awareness is raised.

“I think this is a big step – just to raise awareness,” Martin-Schramm said. “We’re trying to be responsible and give kids freedom and nice things, but when this stuff happens you just
beat yourself up because it’s frustrating and it costs money and then everybody gets frustrated with the cost of higher education.”

The bottom line is that Luther needs to work together in order to prevent the costs and damages of vandalism.

“It’s one of those issues that takes a community effort where everyone needs to get involved,” Harri said. “We would encourage people if they see some damage to let us know about it and we would certainly appreciate any help
in getting students to discourage their friends from participating in that kind of thing."

Login or register to post comments
7 reads

NFL Jerseys

Submitted by nianxi on February 21, 2012 - 1:05am.

The Patrick Chung Jersey are now loved by many fans.Many businesses today and were one of the things that business is business, was occupied jerseys wholesale. In fact, it is common today that people wear Authentic NFL Jerseys .Many people now shopping on the internet, because there are many different kinds of jersey online. Then, more and more entrepreneurs are choosing to do business online.The Michael Clayton Jersey are in different styles and colors that you are favourite. This ensures that you get the jersey for a very reasonable price.And the most popular, Copies of the winners of the New York Giants Jerseys really well known.

2012 Pro Bowl Jerseys will be improved by promoting the group in favor of the players.Many persons have been influenced to put on these jerseys. The design,diverse,and low price of the Aaron Rodgers Jerseys is the development of affordable products.Is it good to see and feel them to do the players.It is really to make improvements in the style and the announcement of his team. The 2012 Super Bowl Jerseys often be seen in the streets.Many customers buy them just because they may be less expensive.While ignoring the good of them.These jerseys are in different styles and colours.My favourite is Tom Brady Jerseys which can let me confidence.Everyone should have one jerseys.

Cheap North Face Jackets

Submitted by goodseo on February 18, 2012 - 1:07am.

Buy christian louboutin Red Bottom Shoes here, recall all night, although lose, but more is thought to this way of uniting the disadvantages. Accidentally triggered the night of uniting the abnormal condition, to wang Lin opened a new train of thought. The advantages of this practice, it goes without saying that as for the shortcomings, is high risk factors, Cheap North Face Jackets don't be careful will be maintained blasts, but this experience, wang Lin believe that the next time he surely ye will have a plan one step one step operation, to reduce risk to the minimum. "It seems that the temporary shelter to change, though the last night of the gas absorption Red Bottom Heels, but not a lot of high quality to meet the requirements of the success rate increased blunt opening." Wang Lin murmured to himself, he is now opening site at success rate, according to the nether world records of opening up runoff, the higher the quality of a land of Yin, the success rate will be opening upgraded substantially. North Face Outlet think of a few months ago a Yin land quality test, in the treatment of the source of the light beam--a pyramid building there has a measured, the heart is then have never righteousness. At the same time, the jungle outside of the sky, suddenly a dark, a whole body sends out to destroy the breath of destroyed day elders, silent appear, he love The North Face Outlet depressing, staring at the foot the jungle, show strong eyes not careful.

Ran Ban Sunglasses

Submitted by goodseo on February 18, 2012 - 1:05am.

Ran Ban Sunglasses are the best sunglasses for you in the season. spirit force has and the huge Yin cold fusion of the gas as a whole, and JianZaiXianShang had to send, dust and started opening up runoff layer 4 blunt opening!!!!! In the chest position, get through the gas hole! Yin group demonstrated in cold swirling rises in, slowly rising, Ran Ban Sale after a long time to finally be gas hole where the sea, immediately crazy spin up. Gas hole in the sea like a bottomless, fast absorbing the Christian Louboutin cold gas vortex, blunt and opening in failure, extended time bit by bit, it grew bright. Fangyuan zhang Yin cold breath within slowly lifts, and ultimately all disappear. Wang Lin sea chest gas hole was still there, he died when the opening up of the runoff describe success rate is extremely difficult to have rushed opening in a very deep impression, he had been hit Louboutin, every time blunt opening in the gas of failure Yin cold slip a points. The huge Yin cold of the gas in the 100 DuoCi impact gradually in the consumption, plus the light, zhang Yin cold gas within all to no, no the fill after power, remain in wang Lin body of Yin cold breath slowly be cold Dan absorbed. The night of the Yin "wang Lin absorb too much gas, his own spirit force in fusion almost completely change, completely into a Yin cold spirit force. In quantity, wang Lin can now clear feel, body of Louboutin UK spirit force surging degree, almost many a times more, built in the early years of the yankees reached the peak.

Your blog is good

Submitted by Monclerjackets1 on February 16, 2012 - 2:58am.

Although air force 1 some of air force one websites nike air forces may contain air force ones low with many spam nike air force 1 information,Here air force 1 is a look at a new drop of the cheap nike air force one in women’s sizes. The nike air force one low premium kicks come in air force ones low a white air force ones sale leather base nike air force 1 mid with a beige textile vent panel nike air force one high on the nike air force 1 white midsection. The soft colors air force ones shoes are air force 1 premium broken up nike air force one shoes with deep burgundy on the outsole,nike air force sale heel tab nike air force 1 supreme and Swoosh.as nike air force 1 high to yours,it Nike air max is air max shoes time air max 2011 worthy air max 2010 for air force high you to nike air max 2010 frequently air max 95 look throught air max 2009 of your blog nike air force 1 black mid which with connotation Air Force 1 Mid.It is my great pleasure to hear from cheap nike air max 2011 you and witness your great air max 90 masterpiece Air Force 1 Premium.All of Air Force 1 Supreme them Air Force 1 Supreme High look nice!I moncler down really favor moncler jackets in moncler milano your moncler coats blog doudoune moncler!moncler outlet The discount moncler great moncler visvim masterpiece moncler 2011 with nice moncler mens and moncler womens informative moncler sweater post and topic that move me and enlarged my eyeline quite a lot.Thanks for sharing with us.Best regards moncler online!Air Force 1 Supreme low Thank you very much! Best nike air max 2009 wishes nike air max 90 to my favorite nike air max 2011 writer!nike men air max air max 24-7 air max 87 nike airmax 90 nike air max 95 air max bw nike air max new air max ltd air max nomo nike air max tn tn3. It is really nice for me to see you and your great air max 2011 cheap hardwork again.Every piece of your work look excellent.Looking forward to hearing more nike air max 2011 cheap from you!
Your blog is really air max tn attractive.It is really a happy time to go through your daily upda te.nike air max 2009 sale air max 90 2009 air max 2009 sale air max 2009 for sale nike air max 2009 sale womens nike air max 2009 sale air max 2009 black air max 2009 black white nike air max 2009 leather nike air max 2009 mens air max 2009 orange
moncler milano moncler replica moncler coats moncler vest moncler womens moncler mens nike air force one kobe bryant air force 1 anniversary air force one 25th anniversary shoes nike air force 1 mid black Nike Air Force 1 Mid white air force one mid tops

replica swiss watches

Submitted by oulshenglink8559 on February 16, 2012 - 12:55am.

replica chanel handbags handbags uk replica handbags fake handbags replica designer handbags celine bag replica dior handbags uk prada replica handbags replica handbag shop buy cheap designer handbag replica bags replica celine bags cheap chanel handbags replica celine bags fake chanel handbag best quality replica handbags nike air max 2011 nike free run 2 air max 2011 best running shoes fake watches best watches replica watches replica best replica watches fake swiss watch best replica watch best replica rolex replica casio replica casio watches replica corum watches replica invicta watches swiss made replica watches replica chopard watches replica watch best replica watch site swiss made replica watches swiss replica watches replica watch replica watches replica best swiss replica watches replica swiss watches swiss replica watch swiss made swiss made replica watches fake watches discount watches discount watch replica replica clothing replica clothes replica handbags replica watches replica shoes replica jewellery replica shoes replica lighters replica pens fake burberry shoes replica keychains replica watches buy replica fake clothing top designer shose replica replica clothes offers buyers replica clothes replica mens watches replica abercrombie best replica shoes
replique montre replique repliques montres replique montres replique montre rolex replique montre suisse montre replica swiss replica replica watches tank francaise femme réplique montre chopard femme montres chopard ice cube prix chopard montre femme

The Office 2010 builds on

Submitted by jocelyn on February 16, 2012 - 12:10am.

The Office 2010 builds on this improvement in the design of the ribbon by extending it to all Buy Office 2010 applications. In addition to this, the new features in Office 2010 and Office 2007 Key the program’s improved ease of use speak directly to the changing ways people are working today. So stay tune…I will get you to Download Office 2010 and the step-by-step Office 2010 activation guide are on the way…

Education and Technology

Submitted by henrryjames on February 14, 2012 - 10:42pm.

I value your thinking and it was pleasant to me to see a nice content.Here I desire to reveal my personal thoughts concerning IT qualification in addition to their particular value in employement market along with The IT sector.You can find just about certification examinations right here that will help an individual in direction of profession advancement.

vcp510
000-n09
000-n07
000-n06
000-n02
3000
hp0-y38
hp0-y31