Vandalism Problem on Campus

From mid February until recently, there have been a series of acts of vandalism on campus, by a person or a group of people, which appear to be misguided attempts at expressing pride in engineering.

Just prior the start of reading week, students discovered that the sign outside the Modern Languages Theatre for the Arts had been spray painted over in black spray paint, with the word “ENGINEERS”.

On the same day, it was discovered that Porcellino, the boar made of bronze located outside the entrance of the Modern Languages Building, was spray painted white with black stripes, almost to resemble a zebra. This is not the first time that Porcellino has been subject to abuse; over the years it has been painted and kidnapped several times. Porcellino is more than just a bronze casting; it is also the mascot of the Faculty of Arts. Porcellino is prominent in Arts Orientation Week, and is also beloved by many students who rub the nose of the boar for good luck before exams.

More recently, vandalism was also discovered in the Math and Computer Building. The words “MATH SUCKS, ENG Rules” were scrawled across the window in a door.

Over the past few years, there have been many pranks or, more accurately, acts of vandalism carried out to express pride in engineering. However, there is a difference between putting a purple car around a tree by the BMH Green and spray painting Porcellino, the beloved arts mascot. The car around the BMH Green reflects engineering spirit in a light hearted way, which does not put anyone down. On the other hand, spray painting Porcellino and spraypainting the words “ENGINEERS” on the modern languages sign is simply disrespectful and a waste resources.

These recent acts of vandalism reflect poorly on the individuals who performed them as well as engineering students in general. So to the person or people responsible – please stop, your actions are just plain disrespectful. And to everyone on campus from engineering students, Engineering loves you.