Chair shatters High Rise South window

Glass shards sprayed on Superblock fromGlass shards sprayed on Superblock fromthe 4x5 foot hole in the rooftop lounge A chair was thrown through a window in the rooftop lounge of High Rise South on Tuesday evening -- causing a large pain of glass to shatter in the Superblock. An "unknown student" is responsible for the incident, according to University Police Sergeant Laurence Salotti. And University officials say that anyone involved in the incident will be facing harsh penalties. "Now the issue is finding out exactly what happened and who was involved in it," said Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. "Any student involved will be prosecuted severely, up to and including expulsion. Also, the University will pursue all criminal and civil charges against the person as well." The window was broken at 5:42 p.m. Tuesday evening-- leaving a 4 by 5 foot hole in a window on the west side of the lounge. "No one was injured, thankfully," McCoullum said. "But it was a dangerous situation, especially because of the weather. The police handled everything perfectly." Within minutes of the glass shattering, the plaza in front of High Rise South was roped off and guarded by officers. All people entering the building were forced to use the rear entrance. The rooftop lounge was also closed as police conducted investigations and Physical Plant workers attempted to prevent further glass from breaking in the intense winds. McCoullum said that a company will be brought in to replace the pane of glass as soon as possible. She did not know, however, how long it would take for the pane to be replaced because of the unusual type and location of the glass. She also praised the Residential Advisors in the high rise for their quick action. Frank Tortorello, High Rise South's head advisor, said the advisors have posting notices and providing assistance to the students and faculty who are living in High Rise South. While many students were confused by the police barricade, some overheard the incident which lead to the broken window. "I heard a loud commotion and voices coming from above my room," explained graduate student Joe Murphy. "Then I heard a rumbling sound, which I think was the glass breaking." Many students seemed confused by the incident. Engineering sophomore Alyssa Abo said she could not find out what happened to cause the broken glass. "I don't know what happened exactly," Abo said. "I heard that a chair was thrown through a window and I know a lot of glass fell to the ground. But I am not sure." McCoullum said the police have begun preliminary work on the investigation and the University will take action as soon as possible. "Nobody knows who did it yet," Salotti said Wednesday morning when asked about the progress of the investigation. At press time, the University Police still had no suspects.

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