In the past week residents of two dorm buildings received notices of violations to campus property and consequences to follow. 

The emails sent to students in The Grove and Dana English Hall immediately circulated on YikYak.

In The Grove, several peepholes were removed and stolen from bedroom doors. 

“This behavior is considered vandalism and poses a serious safety concern for our community. Peepholes are an important security feature that allow residents to see who is at their door before opening it,” Residence Hall Director Mike Collins wrote in an email to residents in The Grove. 

This has raised a concern for safety among students. 

“That would make me feel unsafe if my (peephole) was removed,” first-year health science major Madeline Bredaln said. 

With the email having circulated on YikYak, the issue has alarmed students beyond The Grove as well. 

“I think that is definitely a concern that can increase uncomfortableness and it would make me feel less safe,” third-year applied business major Brianna McCarthy said. 

In Dana English Hall, students were informed of vandalism taking place in the building’s communal bathrooms. Students received an email from Residence Hall Director Danny Riley. 

“It has come to the attention of Residential Life that individuals are placing items in the community toilets that do not belong there. Please keep in mind that everyone utilizes these shared spaces and it is important to not trash or damage the property. If a member of the Residential Life team or facilities sees anyone throwing anything other than toilet paper in the toilets, you will be documented and reported to the office of student conduct. No exceptions.”

Residents in the building found these acts to violate respect. 

“I feel like people should know the boundaries of living, like in this kind of situation with all these different people sharing the same space,” first-year psychology major Julia Laudano said. “I get it if you have a private bathroom, but there should be respect with this kind of bathroom situation.”

For some students, they were unaware of this taking place until receiving the email. This caused confusion for what specifically was taking place. 

“I guess I’m more confused and shocked on what it could be that’s going in the toilet,” first-year nursing major Brynn Caetano said. 

In both cases, disciplinary action will be taken. Any acts of vandalism will be addressed through Student Conduct and could result in disciplinary action. Residential Life is working with Facilities to restore any damages. 

“I think Res Life is doing a pretty good job,” McCarthy said. “They’re trying to instill trust in all the residents and make sure that people know that that’s not acceptable. I think that what they can keep doing is having constant contact about the situation and just make residents know that they can come to them and it’s always a safe space.”

Students are urged to report any acts of vandalism to Public Safety or by submitting an anonymous report at https://www.qu.edu/report.  

“We are aware of recent incidents of vandalism in our first-year residence halls and take these matters very seriously,” John W. Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “Such behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our community. Our facilities team is addressing the damage, and Public Safety, along with Student Conduct and Community Standards, is investigating. Students found responsible for acts of vandalism face disciplinary action, which may include sanctions such as restitution, probation or suspension. Anyone with information about those responsible for the vandalism is asked to contact Public Safety at 203-582-6200. All calls will be kept confidential.”

Chloe Grant contributed to this report.