Local News in Brief : Orange : Thefts and Vandalism at College Investigated

Chapman College security officers and city police are investigating a series thefts and acts of vandalism at the college’s student newspaper office.

Lael Morgan, adviser to The Panther, the weekly student paper, said Tuesday that the unexplained actions began in February with the theft of an address book used by student editor Stephanie Freidenreich. Later thefts included Morgan’s grade book and some papers she had assigned, she said.

About two weeks ago, Morgan said, she discovered that somebody had poured water into a computer and printer in the newspaper office. She said the printer sustained about $600 to $800 in damage, and the damage to the computer has not yet been fully determined.

“We don’t know why this is happening,” Morgan said. “We’ve had many theories.”

Morgan said the student paper has been “outspoken” this semester on numerous issues and that some students have accused it of being “leftist” for covering such things as a peace demonstration. But Morgan said she and the student staff are mystified as to who may be targeting the newspaper.

Jerry Derloshon, spokesman for the private college, said Tuesday that “we really don’t know by whom or for what reason” the vandalism is being committed.