MISSISSIPPI COMPUTERS STOLEN http://thedmonline.com/article/three-computers-stolen-isom-hall

Three computers stolen from Isom Hall

ARTICLE | APRIL 17, 2011 - 10:35PM | BY JOSH PRESLEY

Three brand-new computers were recently stolen from a computer lab in Isom Hall.  

Each of the Quad-Core iMacs cost around $2,000, in addition to the cost of special software programs, like Final Cut Pro, that were needed for the theater department’s new cinema minor.

Cinema professor Alan Arrivee said that the computers were found missing Monday morning following the department’s recent Evening of Cinema festivities, which began April 7 and concluded on April 9.

“One of our professors came to my office and asked if there was some reason I might have moved the computers, and I said no and immediately went upstairs and saw that they were gone,” Arrivee said.  

“Whoever did it put one of our older computers in place of one of the three new ones that would have been immediately visible when you walked by as sort of a dummy computer,” Arrivee continued. “Then if you turned left when you walked in the door you saw an absolutely blank space where there used to be three computers.”  

Arrivee said that during the Evening of Cinema weekend there were a lot of people coming and going from Isom Hall over to Meek Hall Auditorium, where several short films were screened.

“Anyone who knew the activities of our department would have known that a number of people would be going over to Meek and that they would have a better chance of taking them out while the building was more or less empty,” Arrivee said.

“It definitely seemed planned, and we have no reason to believe that the room wasn’t locked. It makes no sense that it was simply an impromptu move.”

Theater department interim chair and associate professor Carey Hanson said she thinks that the theft couldn’t have come at a worse time.  

“We had the film opening and it was really wonderful, and we were all really excited for the future of the film program,” Hanson said. “Then we come in Monday morning and find our three brand new iMacs gone. The timing is really unfortunate.”

Hanson said the department received the money from the Dean’s and Provost’s Offices to purchase the new computers with the correct software to go along with the computers they already had for the film students.

“A professor came down and told me the computers were gone, and I, of course, had a heart attack,” Hanson said. “It was money that was given to us. We don’t have money to replace these computers, so that’s the issue.

“So if we do get them back, or somehow get money to purchase new ones, we’ll have to step up our security.”

Arrivee said that the timing of this theft is inconvenient and frustrating.

“This coming fall, we have the maximum amount of students (who) could have taken the editing course with the amount of computers we had and then there are people on the waiting list as well, so the demand for this class and the amount of computers that are needed for the class (are) growing right as we have lost these computers,” Arrivee said. “It’s good that we have enough interested students that this is even an issue.”

Arrivee said not having the computers will inconvenience the students.

“The shame of this is that the whole motivation behind getting these computers was to help out students,” Arrivee continued. “Part of me doesn’t care who took them; we just want them back.”

University police officer Waylon Banks said they are working with Apple to try and trace the computers but that it will take time.  

Earlier this semester several iMacs were stolen from Farley Hall as well.