A freshman wants Ohio University to pay nearly $1,000 for electronics and clothing stolen from his James Hall room during winter break. The case is the first stemming from several thefts in the residence hall over break.
Drew Fisher, 19, of Westerville, says someone stole $959 worth of shoes, sunglasses and DVDs from his James Hall room during the break, according to court documents. Fisher filed the complaint in the Ohio Court of Claims Tuesday.
Fisher left his room Nov. 23 and made sure to lock the door, according to court documents. But when he returned Jan. 3, he found several items stolen. Among the items taken, Fisher listed two pairs of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses valued at $140 each, the complete collection of Planet Earth DVDs valued at $80 and a Canon digital camera valued at $150.
Fisher contacted administrators and police but found that James Hall wasn't vacant during the break, as he had thought.
OU officials told students before they left campus that the university would rent Bromley Hall rooms but never mentioned that it would use James Hall to house athletes during the break.
OU let others stay in the residence halls without supervision or security in direct contradiction to (university) policy and all posted notifications
Fisher wrote in court documents.
Christine Sheets, executive director of residential housing, confirmed yesterday that OU did not tell James Hall residents that athletes would stay in the hall during the break, adding that the athletes were supervised.
Fisher talked to university administrators and filed a report with the Ohio University Police Department but didn't get a resolution.
When OUPD investigated, it found the thief didn't force entry into the room, which suggested that either someone had a pass key or the locks on the door provided by Ohio University were not properly installed or not adequate to keep people out according to court documents.
The theft is one of several reported in the residence hall, Chief Andrew Powers said. He added that he could not provide the exact number of reports at press time.
University staff who maintain the locks on campus later told Fisher that the anti-pick device on his lock was improperly installed.
Sheets said she didn't know how often staff check the locks for mechanical problems.
Fisher listed his roommate, freshman, Matt Kvalheim of Westerville, as a witness who would say the goods were taken. Neither Fisher nor Kvalheim could be reached for comment.
OU has not filed their response to the complaint. John Biancamano, OU's general counsel to the legal affairs office, could not be reached for comment.
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Frank Thomas
