Vandals hit Academic Hall dome on university campus

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety is investigating vandalism to the dome on top of the campus' admissions building.

Doug Richards, director of the Department of Public Safety, said between the evening of Aug. 9 and noon Aug. 10 someone climbed scaffolding to the top of the dome and spray-painted its surface.

Richards said it's basic graffiti, including images and words, but nothing that would help them identify a suspect.

"It's in such a unique spot they had to go through a lot of trouble to get up there," Richards said.

A tarp currently covers the property damage to the dome at Academic Hall, although the dome is also under construction.

"Work started about the third week of July. Work is being done to repair some damage that occurred during the ice storm of 2009," said Ann Hayes, Southeast news bureau director.

The Department of Public Safety has increased its patrol in the area surrounding Academic Hall, Hayes added.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should call campus police at 651-2215.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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