Two wireless mice were stolen out of the Computer Information System instructional labs in the Babin Business Center between 2 p.m., Nov. 10 and 12 p.m., Nov. 13. As a result, Chair of the CIS Department James Roiger closed the labs from public use.  

    “I hate to punish the students for the sins of a few,” Roiger said. 

   The mice alone do not function without the transmitters that connect to the computers. The transmitters were not stolen. 

   It will cost the CIS department $250 to replace the mice, which prevents the department from upgrading other items that they need. 

   The labs will remain closed for public use for the remainder of the year, and will stay closed until the CIS department feels that no other theft will take place. 

   There are preventive measures to keep theft from happening on campus. Campus security patrols the university 24 hours a day, and security cameras monitor the entrances to all school buildings.

    “No one likes to turn in a friend,” Roiger said, “but when the friend hurts everyone (on campus) at some point it needs to stop.” 

   Provost David Ray said, “Access to and use of state property is based upon the honor system. When that honor system is violated, then we all lose because trust has been compromised. This happens, for example, when items go missing from an open, unsupervised lab. So it would be helpful if students would report to authorities improper activities that might jeopardize the use of facilities, equipment, etc. because school properties are in a sense theirs.” 

   Theft and vandalism are not new issues on campus. This semester a person or persons stole a keyboard from the library, and books have been stolen in the past. A couple of years ago, someone stole an entire computer out of the CIS lab. 

   The most numerous crimes happen between students. Numerous thefts of laptops and cell phones have been reported to campus security in the past. Public Safety officer John Kidwell says that students should not leave their items unattended and make sure they lock their dorm room to prevent most crimes. Also, more security cameras around campus would help deter would be thieves.