Theft and Vandalism of Library Property

Statement of Policy:

 
When a member of the community removes or destroys library materials, it is a violation of a social contract, and it deprives others of the benefit of this commonly owned resource. Library collections, in part, are developed to preserve ideas for the future. Librarians take seriously their responsibility to collect, preserve and circulate these important materials. The system is unique in society, and it works as long as the community respects and honors the basic principles of community owned and maintained resources.

Procedure:

Any St. Thomas library user who steals, destroys, or defaces books, periodicals, microforms, computers, or other library property, including the removal of pages from books or periodicals, will be reported to Public Safety and the appropriate Dean of Students.

Sanctions for theft and vandalism of library property may include restitution, payment of processing fees or monetary fines, and will be determined by the Director of Libraries.

Theft or vandalism of library property constitutes a violation of this policy and criminal and behavioral misconduct in accordance with University Rules of Conduct (Undergraduate), the Code of Conduct for Graduate Students, and state law (Theft, Damage to Property).

From the Codes:

2. Conduct, on or off campus, that is detrimental to the good of the university of which discredits the university.

4. Unauthorized taking or possession of university property, services or the property or services of others.

5. Intentional damage to, or destruction of, university property, or the property of others on university premises. This includes damage as a result of gross negligence (including vandalism or tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers.)

10. Failure to comply with the directives of University officials and their authorized agents acting in the performance of their duties; failure to appear before the Dean of Students (or designee**) or the Committee on Discipline when properly notified to do so as either a witness or a student charged in a discipline case or as a witness; disruption or purposeful interference with faculty, administrators, security officers or staff in the performance of their duties

12. Violations of federal, state, city laws/ordinances: Should an act violate both university regulations and public law, the student is subject to dual jurisdiction.