As of late, there have been a series of incidents of destruction of property on the Elizabethtown College campus. Most notably, on Saturday, Feb. 18, unknown individual(s) broke the pool table in Ober Residence Hall, following the disappearance of the Mona Lisa puzzle in Founders Residence Hall. Investigation into these incidents has been ostensibly inconclusive due to the fact that the cameras in Ober face the doors of the lobby, which guarded the responsible individuals’ anonymity. Lack of information about investigation progress could be compounded by the fact that Area Coordinator for both Ober and Myer Residence Halls Gene Thomas declined the request for an interview regarding such events. As a result, student responses to these events of destruction in residence halls were requested and prove to communicate one central message: those responsible for destroying/stealing residence hall property should face the consequences of said actions so that residential students feel that their belongings/living areas are safe. It should be noted preemptively that these responses do not mean to incriminate administration officials or blame anyone but the perpetrators themselves for their crimes, but rather to display student response, whatever that may be.
Of the eight students who were asked about their response to occurrences of destruction of property on campus, the overwhelming majority stated that their feelings can be summarized by the phrase: “I am angry and want answers.” Further, one student commented, “I think it’s unfair that people are destroying facilities used by everyone and there is no punishment for those who did it and no replacements for those who respect and like the resources provided.” Students are clearly indignant about their living spaces and the property within them being disrespected and destroyed in any manner; student responses also dictate that answers to questions of who is responsible and what are administrators doing about it have not been sufficient.
When specifically asked if students wanted to see action from administration in response to destruction of property on campus, most respondents were clear in saying yes. A student said, “I would love to see Etown actually care about what they claim to…I feel not particularly safe about my space and items…” However, one student mentioned, “Action from administration would help, however, there’s only so much they can do…,” which serves to diversify the pool of responses, placing the blame on individual perpetrators rather than administrative negligence. Some student comments display concern for personal property because of the recent destruction: “I ride my bike around campus. I am worried someone might wreck it. I do not feel my items are safe on campus as of right now.”
Students were asked to share their general opinions about destruction of property on campus, and responses reveal that the frequency of occurrences of destruction and perceived inaction by those in charge has resulted in anger. “No one’s property deserves to be destroyed. This campus has been having a lot of incidents recently; this behavior cannot be tolerated,” one student said. Another student said, “Campus security has to start doing their job; this is getting ridiculous.” Both responses convey anger and a definitive want for action by superiors in charge.
Generally speaking, Etown students seem to be angry and wanting updates on the investigation into incidents of destruction of property. Unequivocally, it can be inferred that students are wary of their property’s safety and the safety of residence hall living as a whole. Destruction of property is an offense that warrants punishment in the eyes of student respondents and, as of the time that this article is being written, they feel present action has not been sufficient.
