<p>My son went to Clark Library around 2 pm this afternoon to study after class. When he took a brief break to use the restroom, someone in the Library stole his Biology and Math textbooks. </p>
<p>It goes without saying that this is one young person who doesnt appreciate or deserve the opportunity to attend the University of Virginia. While my son learned a valuable, necessary and expensive lesson, Im disgusted that someone was so lacking in character that he/she would commit such a despicable act.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the University uses, or has considered using, security cameras that might discourage this kind of thievery while also serving other useful security purposes?</p>
<p>A word to the wise be extremely careful when leaving expensive belongings unattended, even if only for a couple of minutes. Unfortunately we live in a society where some folks see nothing wrong with stealing things that dont belong to them.</p>
<p>I think thats very sad. This sounds like a fairy tale, but its for real when I was at the University 35 to 40 years ago, this type of thing just didnt happen. Thats no longer true today.</p>
<p>I'm very very sorry for your son's loss. I can't believe stuff like this can actually happen with the Honor Code and the belief that UVa puts in its students.</p>
<p>This is (sadly) why the libraries all have big signs saying "don't leave your laptop unattended, thefts have been reported." :\ I know this is 99% probably not what happened, but Clark is a math/science library so maybe a page took it thinking it was a library book? Never hurts to ask the front desk.</p>
<p>I'm very sorry this happened. While the honor code is valued by students, it's a tough world, and some people just don't have any morals or values.</p>
<p>sorry about what happened HHD. I was just getting use to the trust in uva and leaving my backpack unattended when i get lunch at newcomb, etc. I hope it was a mistake concering your son's books</p>
<p>The person who stole my son's books actually took them out of his backpack. Thankfully that person did not take his notes, I-Clicker or calculator, which were also in the backpack. Even more thankfully, these books "only" cost about $210. If these had been his Orgo books, we'd be out over $500.</p>
<p>just remember that libraries are open to anyone, as odd as it might seem, the dining halls might actually be a safer place to leave stuff because lots of people are around. In the libraries if you are down below in the stacks, stuff can easily be taken.</p>
<p>either way you should always be mindful of what you're leaving behind, it's something that people need to be constantly reminded of.</p>
<p>Lots of theft occurs here, and I'm sorry for his loss. That's a big theft. Of course, you could go for the benefit of the doubt and assume it was stolen, but someone picked it up on accident. Textbooks are something rarely stolen, especially at 2pm in the afternoon. Was he in the basement of Clark?
As for security cameras, I doubt that they'd be put into place anytime soon. People are just warned to watch their stuff. </p>
<p>Some tips I've picked up:
1. Write your name in your books, inside AND outside!! Use a label if you want to sell your books back.
2. If you have to get up, make sure you take any valuables (purse, ipod, wallet, etc) with you. Ask someone around you to watch your stuff for you (I've seen people tell others not to mess with people's stuff, so it seems to work).
3. During finals time, bring a laptop lock with you. USE IT!
4. Keep an eye out to help people out. Report thefts to the front desk, immediately, if you witness one, and try to stop it if you can (get others to help).<br>
5. Don't be a jerkoff and steal people's crap.</p>
<p>That sounds awfully fishy. They should have taken all of the other stuff then too.</p>
<p>My first year, a similar prank was played on a club I am a member in. We were in one room but wanted to use the projector in the room next door so we moved over, but left all of our stuff in the first room. At the end of the meeting, we found that a few people's backpacks were missing. We assumed the worst and reported it to the police, etc. I sent an email out to Brown and thanks to the sheer number of eyes in my dorm (lol) we discovered they had simply been grabbed and dumped (with all of the expensive eschool stuff in them still) in the basement of Cabell... Lame prank. It was right before finals so redoing notes/etc was really not a great option.</p>
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just remember that libraries are open to anyone
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Good point. I'm sometimes surprised by the number of young people who clearly aren't college aged that hang out in our libraries. </p>
<p>I wouldn't be surprised if someone decided to sell those books back to the bookstore and make some quick money. It's a fairly common practice in college towns.</p>
<p>Also, be careful with your jackets. My son has had 2 jackets taken while in college. One a Northface at a frat party at UVa a couple of years ago and another last year while visiting friends at JMU(I ithink it was a Patagonia jacket or something like that). I have advised him to not buy any more jackets like that until he is out of college!</p>
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Does anyone know if the University uses, or has considered using, security cameras that might discourage this kind of thievery while also serving other useful security purposes?
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</p>
<p>Has this traditionally been avoided because of the idea that the Honor Code is supposed to ideally prevent that kind of conduct through well ... honour?</p>
<p>the honor system is strong, but Grounds is not in a bubble, we don't have gates that keep the bad guys out. when at the library, it's always wise to have someone watch your stuff when you get up. heck it could have been a student which is most frustrating... but i suppose the outrageous price of textbooks can drive students to take drastic measures....</p>
<p>as far as jackets go sevmom... yeah, it's never going to be safe to leave your jacket somewhere in a frat house. at an apartment it might be a different story, but with so many people coming and going, and no one watching, everything is essentially up for grabs when drunk people are trying to leave.</p>
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Well according to my RA we haven't had a theft for five years.
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<p>well, that's great and all, but you'll be really sorry if something does get stolen. In the same way, I could say that for the majority of U.S. history, we haven't had an atomic bombing. But the fact that it didn't happen for a long time (or hasn't happened) does not lessen the chance of theft. (I was no longer talking about the bomb.) When I visited UVa and they were showing us the dorms, one of the tour guides said I don't ever lock my doors because I trust everybody and the UVa honor system. Personally, I thought that was the stupidest thing I had ever heard of. Take the precautions that you can to avoid theft, especially the easy steps like locking your doors.</p>
<p>Also, if you are in the library and need to go somewhere for a second, then ask someone to watch your stuff. If anything is taken, those people feel liable so they'll make a much larger effort to make sure your stuff isn't taken. It's been proven. And if there's anything really expensive, stuff it deep inside your bag or take it with you.</p>
<p>Remember, 99.99% of the students could be honest and trustworthy people that would never take your stuff. But all you need is one person to steal.</p>