On Wednesday Feb. 17, an e-mail regarding a missing fraternity manual belonging to Beta Theta Pi was sent from the Belvoir Lot Campus Safety Services guardhouse computer. The origin of the e-mail was traced back to the guardhouse using the computer’s IP address, which was obtained in the e-mail’s header.
Reportedly, the on-duty officer allowed the non-CSS person into the guardhouse to use the computer.
We at The Carroll News feel that CSS should restrict the use of that computer from any person not employed by CSS due to the potentially confidential information that is accessible.
In the e-mail, presidents of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Tau Delta were asked if they were interested in obtaining this book from the source, known only as Kim Meadows.
Kyle Shepard, the Sigma Phi Epsilon president, responded to the original e-mail expressing interest in obtaining the book and subsequently returned it to the Beta fraternity. Later that night, the source asked how much the book was worth to him.
We commend Kyle Shepard in acting honorably in notifying Beta Theta Pi about the e-mail. It was a respectable act and illustrated true Jesuit ideals and values.
Beta Ritual Chair, Nick Orlando, filed a report with CSS about the missing book on Feb. 19. The report included information about the e-mails between Shepard and Meadows from what appears to have been an effort to profit from the return.
When the book was returned on Feb. 22 to the CSS lost and found, the suspect was not questioned or even identified on record because the CSS officer at the desk was unaware of the situation surrounding the importance of the book.
Director of CSS, Tim Peppard, admitted to the mistake of not questioning the person who returned the book and that there was limited talk between those involved. There should be better communication within the CSS department.
It is not policy to question people who turn items into lost and found at the risk that it will deter people from returning items.
However, in this situation CSS would have had every right to question the suspect because it involved the use of CSS property and there was financial bribery involved.
Unfortunately, the poor interaction between CSS staff members resulted in the missing of a prime opportunity and are now involved in a messy ongoing investigation.
Communication practices within the department need to improve immediately in order to prevent future incidents. All officers should be aware of the happenings and complaints within the department.
At any time there is an ongoing investigation, all personnel of the CSS personnel need to be informed and on the lookout for any items returned that pertain to a case.
Even for cases in which students return items that are not pertaining to an ongoing investigation, there needs to be some sort of record about where the item was found and other relevant information.
