TOILET PAPER RATIONED AFTER VANDALISM AT SOUTHEAST

Southeast Missouri State University officials hope to get to the bottom of toilet paper vandalism in Myers residence hall that has forced them to keep tabs on the rolls provided students there.

Students previously could grab rolls of toilet paper out of utility closets on each floor. Now they're limited to three rolls of toilet paper per four-person suite per week through the remainder of the spring semester, said Residence Life director Jim Settle.

The restrictions, he said, stem from several incidents of vandalism in early March. Vandals unrolled toilet paper along the dorm halls and piled up rolls of toilet paper and urinated on them. So far, the university hasn't found the culprits.

Myers Hall director Ronda Goolsby notified the building's 158 students in writing of the toilet paper restrictions. Students received letters when they returned from spring break the last week of March.

Goolsby wrote that the university has only a limited supply of toilet paper for the remainder of the semester, which ends in mid-May. "If it is misused, there will not be enough to last for the rest of the year," she wrote.

The letter also dealt with other vandalism, including the misuse of microwaves and lounge chairs and damage to newly painted elevators.

"This letter is about vandalism. It is not about toilet paper," Settle said.

He said many Myers Hall students already buy their own toilet paper, preferring name brands.

But the restrictions irritate other students. MaryAnne Dunson said she and her roommate have had to hunt down a residence hall staff member to get a roll of toilet paper.

"Nobody really pays attention to toilet paper until you are out of it," Dunson said.