Contrary to the beliefs of some students, it is a crime to “borrow” the dishes from food service, the chairs from the residence hall dens and the couches from the lounges.

“It’s definitely against Iowa State regulations,” said Sander Ludeman, resident assistant of Arnquist House in Willow Hall.

Ludeman said he has discovered many different items in students’ rooms, though the most commonly retrieved items are dishes.

“China, silverware and glasses are missing from our inventory most often, although it’s hard to tell what is actually stolen,” said Carol Petersen, coordinator/manager for Friley Dining Service. “Students do take items and use them in their dorm rooms.”

Ludeman and Petersen both said students who are feeling guilty about pilfering dishes and silverware can redeem themselves by returning the items “no questions asked.”

“We distribute boxes for collecting the dishes on the dorm floors at the end of the year,” Ludeman said.

Petersen said she has seen students be more creative in their tactics of returning the dishes.

“Sometimes, we get packages of our dishes back from individual students; sometimes, we receive checks written for the amount of the items they stole,” Petersen said.

Petersen said the cost of replacing items is bore by the students’ room and board fees.

“Students have no idea how much these things cost,” Petersen said.

Petersen said although the dining hall workers “do not frisk students at the door,” they do ask students to give back an item if they are caught in the act.

“The students are usually quite embarrassed when caught,” Petersen said.

Ludeman said holders of ISU property are asked to return the items immediately and can be written up by the Department of Residence.

“If students have a university-owned couch or chair, they will certainly be written up,” Ludeman said.

When the crimes are more serious, however, the Department of Public Safety intervenes.

“We’ve caught a number of people for stealing from the university,” said Capt. John Tinker, investigative coordinator for DPS. Tinker said the most popular items to take include computers, computer components and tools, though “we’ve got a guy sitting in jail right now for stealing air conditioners.”

Tinker said the man was a university employee and is still awaiting his final sentence.