Theft, vandalism and insults are becoming a problem in Glenview Commons according to dining services officials.

Student manager of Glennview Commons, Bob Degrenier, said students have been known to steal trays and silverware from Glennview Commons in the past, but it was never a major issue. Past practice has been to put signs up around the dining area at the end of the semester asking students to return items before they leave to go home. But as time goes on, and the thefts continue, managers are cracking down.

“In the past we have used a no harm, no foul policy,” Degrenier said. “But we are tired of students stealing from us. It is childish.”

Karen Bast, manager of Glenview Commons, said stolen items have included: serving spatulas, serving spoons, tongs, glasses, cups, serving trays, cookie jars, a five gallon tub of ice cream, a plant and a four foot by six foot entry mat, which retails for $130.

“Glenview Commons is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Our motto is, ‘take what you want, but eat what you take,’” Bast said. “We allow students to take a cookie or a piece of fruit with them when they leave, but some students are taking that rule to an extreme. I have seen a student empty a bowl of fruit into her purse.”

Bast said even though this is only her second year at Glenview, she believes that the incidents of theft have increased over that time.

Chief of Campus Police Scott Marquardt said that campus police has received different complaints of stolen items from Glennview Commons, but could not comment on the incidents because some of the cases are currently under investigation. Marquardt said that there has not necessarily been an increase in theft from last year.

Bast said she noticed an increase of missing items in October, but the trend diminished and items were not going missing. However, over the last few weeks, thievery and vandalism has increased. Bast said students have stolen backpacks and coats from the cubbies, broken metal silverware in half and urinated in the bathroom garbage cans.

“The problem students are not mature or respectful of students who behave like adults,” Bast said. “These are college kids, and some of them are immature.”

Bast said that there have been five or six “civil signs” posted around Glenview Commons all year reminding students that they should not steal from the dining area. But it seems that wasn’t enough.

“The civil signs only matter to mature and respectful students,” Bast said. “It takes a more direct approach to reach other students.”

More direct signage was posted in Glenview Commons after lunch on Feb. 24, in an effort to discourage theft and vandalism.

The signs read: “Do we need to have police patrolling this area on a regular basis?”, “Theft is childish! If you want to be treated like an adult then start acting [like] one!”, “Stealing is stupid. Are you stupid? Brainless? Dumb? Dense? Dimwitted?” and “Stealing is illegal, if you are caught the police will be called and we WILL press charges!

Bast said, “We did not have the intent of leaving the signs up. We put them up to notify students that people are watching them. It takes only a few students to ruin things for everyone.”