Guilfordian readers:The following letter is reprinted due to technical problems with the distribution of last week’s paper.

Dear editor,

We in the maintenance department have noticed that the number of vandalism incidents has increased dramatically this year. As a result of this vandalism, there has been an equally dramatic increase in costs.

Residential furniture has been broken and/or pitched out windows. The cost of this so far totals $3,600. Damage to signs and sign poles so far this year totals $2,600.

The big-screen TV in the English lounge was ripped from its base and taken outside by someone who tried to load it into their car; cost: $2000. Two light poles down by the college lake have had to be repaired at the cost of $1,200.

As you can see, vandalism costs will really add up if they continue at this rate for the rest of the school year. We could give you many more examples, but these are the most costly.

At this time, the college is experiencing serious budget problems. Vandalism expenses only makes things worse.

I am going to ask two things of the community: 1) Please respect the college’s property and each other’s property; 2) If you see someone destroying property that does not belong to them, ask them to stop. If they don’t, immediately contact the security department and let them handle the situation.

If anyone, student, faculty, or staff has any suggestions on another approach to this problem please feel free to contact me at 316-2898.

Thank you one and all,

Mark Miller
Director of Maintenance