Lost and Found: Text Book Theft Increasing

Amanda Damiano
Utica College
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College students spend a fortune on tuition, meal plans, room and board and textbooks. However students also need to keep track of their valuables, otherwise they can end up making some costly mistakes. Students are losing everything from books to student identification cards and other students are there to reap the benefits.

According to Becky Sullivan, senior secretary in the Utica College campus safety office, in the past few weeks, roughly eight students reported that their school textbooks were missing. Although some books have since been returned, this situation is nothing new.

"Students must keep track of their personal items," Sullivan said. She said many students might not be aware of the lost and found on campus, which is housed in the campus safety office. However it is imperative that students contact the office if valuables are missing.

Sullivan said students may leave their books in the classroom and come back for them later and they’re gone. As for where they went, Sullivan said, "You just don’t know." She suggests students check with their professor to see if the books were retrieved, but then check with campus safety to see if they’ve been found and to report them missing. "Ask someone if you’ve lost something. Usually it’ll turn up," she said.

Although Sullivan did not know the exact books reported lost, regardless she said all books cost good money. Campus Safety is also aware of residence halls where students leave their rooms unlocked. Sullivan said you just can’t be too trustworthy. She encourages students to take care of themselves and watch their back.

Sullivan also pointed out the extra fee students will have to pay for a lock change if they lose their key. She encourages students to keep their keys on their UC lanyard. She said cell phones are frequently misplaced, however once the office retrieves them, she always tries to call someone in the phone log and get it back to its owner.

"We don’t want to give anyone the chance to commit a crime. That’s what we do when we leave items of value," Sullivan said.

Fran Lucia, secretary in the UC student activities office said found student ID cards are brought to the office. Therefore, students should check with them if their card is missing. If a student loses his or her card, there is a $20 fee for a replacement.

"Students should treat their ID like a credit card," Lucia said. She pointed out; student IDs are valuable since they often hold meal plans. As soon as a student’s card is missing, Lucia said the student should contact the office and let them know so they can change the student’s issue number on the ID.

Jerry Pecorello from the Mohawk Valley Community College bookstore said all of their students must present their student IDs when they sell their books back. The college bookstore uses a tracing system that tracks the students’ individual purchases.

"Students must sign against their original receipt when they sell their books back," Pecorello said.

He said the decision to implement the system came after a number of students had backpacks stolen.

Pecorello said beginning November 1, one month before buyback begins; the bookstore will display signs around campus urging students to be watchful of their books. He encourages students to also use identifying symbols on their books and to keep the bookstore and campus safety aware of any incidents.

The UC bookstore staff also recommends students mark their books in case they are misplaced. Therefore, if you write something to identify the book and it is lost, you will know what to look for. Name, room number, telephone extension can all be listed. Students can also label their books with their own personal symbol, such as a star on page 44. Then if the book goes missing, the student can tell the bookstore and campus safety what to look for.

"Do something you know no one else would do," bookstore worker Bethany Stephens said.

Assistant manager Courtney Jones recommends students keep track of their books and make sure not to leave them in the cafeteria.