NCJ Number
92319
Date Published
1983
Length
105 pages
Annotation
This program audit assesses the extent and costs of vandalism on campuses of the State University of New York (SUNY) and identifies factors that may cause vandalism as well as prevent or limit it.
Abstract
Most campus vandalism was found to occur in residence halls. While vandalism is evident throughout the SUNY residence hall system, only 8 of 94 buildings inspected were found heavily or extensively damaged. It is estimated that dormitory vandalism damage on all 26 campuses ranges from $630,000 to $652,100. This estimate excludes employee fringe benefits, furniture replacement, and custodial staff repair of minor vandalism damage. SUNY administrators and students surveyed agree that alcohol abuse is a major factor in causing vandalism. Other factors cited by administrators include academic and social stress on students, nonstudents on campus, poor maintenance and repair, students' immaturity, poor campus security, change in student value systems, and construction or structural deficiencies. Other factors mentioned by students include drug use, inadequate lighting, inadequate security, inadequate dormitory supervision, and overcrowded dorms. Students on practically all sample campuses were aware of the seriousness of the vandalism problem and seemed to favor more deliberate campus efforts to deter and apprehend vandals. Although vandalism would be controllable if the SUNY administration were committed to dealing with it, some campus presidents did not give vandalism deterrence high priority. SUNY Central's effort to deter vandalism has been limited to policy guidance and monitoring building condition. SUNY has not undertaken or centrally coordinated vandalism deterrence efforts and has denied campuses authorization for a common area charge to recover vandalism costs. Details of the findings are appended, and 56 footnotes are provided.