| Vandalism clutters school spirit Homecoming worst weekend this year for trash and litter
Broken trash cans, punched out windows and overturned mailboxes were common sights after this Homecoming weekend. Assistant director for Marketing for University Residence Halls Ana Hernandez said that this weekend was definitely the worst weekend for vandalism this school year so far. "We have had a real good year thus far," Hernandez said. "Forbes Hall had windows broken (last weekend), Hopkins Hall had fire extinguishers discharged unnecessarily and there was trash in the middle of Gregory Street that drivers had to swerve around on Saturday night." Other damages included overturned garbage cans, broken outdoor residence hall phones and graffiti in places, Hernandez said. Hernandez said fines will be assessed to floors if the damage occurred only on the floor and if the damage occurred in the hall, the whole hall will be fined. These fines do not sit too well with some students. "I am really upset about the fines because vandalism is just a stupid thing to do," said Anneli Alers, a freshmen in LAS and a resident of Forbes Hall. The vandalism is evident throughout Gregory Street Residence Halls and other locations on First Street, but reasons for the vandalism are not as apparent. "I can't quite say why this weekend was so bad, but Homecoming may have been a reason because there were so many people," Hernandez said. Eva Drinka, freshman in LAS who lives in Forbes Hall, is getting fined for the broken window and had one explanation for the damage. "It's just drunk people acting stupid, and now the rest of us have to pay for it," Drinka said. Supporting Drinka's theory was the increased bar business Homecoming weekend. Scott Cochrane, co-owner of several Campustown bars, said his bars saw a strong weekend. "It was the best weekend definitely thus far for business," Cochrane said. "I think this weekend was great because Iowa is a big party school and of course we had many alumni come back this weekend, which only added to our sales." Garbage pickup did not increase for Homecoming weekend, Hernandez said. |
||
© 2000 Illini Media Company, all rights reserved. |