For eight weeks, student unions in the EMU have been experiencing thefts. On Friday, someone broke into the MEChA office and tipped over a shelf, and two members of the Oregon Students of Color Coalition had their cars egged.
“I really hope that it is not targeted against students of color, and we don’t want to think that it is a color issue, but you can’t help thinking that,” Oregon Students of Color Coalition board member Oscar Arana said.
In a meeting among student union groups held in the Multicultural Center on Tuesday, associate director of the Department of Public Safety Tom Hicks said no connection can be made between the vandalism and the thefts at this point and DPS has not gathered enough information to determine any suspects.
Since January, DPS has received five reported incidents of theft from student unions. Three backpacks and two purses have been stolen from the Multicultural Center, Jewish Student Union, Native American Student Union and the MEChA office. Each of the incidents have occurred Monday through Friday ranging from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Typically, contents from stolen purses and bags have been found near 14th Avenue between Kincaid and Ferry streets, Hicks said.
MEChA member Candice Coots had a pair of New Balance tennis shoes and Nike shorts stolen from her bag two weeks ago, but did not report the incident to DPS.
DPS has plans to increase patrol in the EMU student unions and work with the Eugene Police Department for additional information and leads to prevent future theft, Hicks said.
“I would encourage student unions to start locking their doors,” Hicks said. “Basically, if people are more aware of a problem, it makes it less attractive of an area for theft; I also suggest students report stolen items or suspicious people, which will make it more likely stolen property will be returned.”
For some student union members, locking the doors is not a viable option.
“Locking the door defeats the purpose of having unions,” Black Student Union member Haben Woldu said. “It should be an open-door policy so students feel like they can stop in and chat.”
Hicks also suggested students use day lockers in the EMU to protect bags and cables and padlocks to secure electronic equipment.