'Pan' scrawls graffiti in HRS elevators

Vandals struck all four High Rise South elevators two days in a row last week -- and administrators have no leads on who might be responsible. The vandal or vandals have left behind only one possible clue, signing the messages scrawled across the inside and doors of the elevators "Pan." Residential Maintenance only employs two painters and the department has had difficulty covering up the vandalism. In addition, because the vandals used what appeared to be marker, covering the graffiti Thursday required several coats of paint, according to Jeffrey Rusling, assistant director of Residential Maintenance. Maintenance employees -- who knew about the situation at 10 a.m. -- did not complete the job until 3:30 p.m., Rusling added. "We can't be in all four elevators round the clock trying to prevent it," Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone explained. Gordon Rickards, assistant director for residential safety, security and facilities, said he has not seen such extensive vandalism in "many years." And according to Residential Maintenance Director Lynn Horner, her department has spent approximately $8,300 repairing vandalism this semester. That cost, however, is not unusually high, Horner added. "What has happened is different than other years," she said. "It's very difficult to know why certain kinds of vandalism occur at a certain time." Rusling said the vandalism has been especially bad this year. "It would be unusual if it didn't happen during the week -- that would be a good week," Rusling said. Horner also released information on the numbers and types of incidents that occurred since January -- and they run the gamut from clogged drains to smashed hall lights. This semester alone, vandals destroyed 87 hall and exit lights and 23 toilet paper dispensers. In addition, Residential Maintenance has received reports of 13 instances involving elevator graffiti, 15 purposely clogged bathroom drains, four vandalism reports involving fire doors and five pulled fire alarms, according to Horner. Residential Living is considering offering a reward as added incentive for those who have information about the crimes to come forward, Simeone said.