An NIU philosophy professor returned to his office after the weekend to find at least $500 in paperwork drenched.

Professor Sherman Stanage returned to his office Jan. 28 when he opened up a pullout shelf to discover a film of water. After looking around, he noticed that certain drawers and piles of student papers also were drenched.

Stanage believes the damage in terms of printing could be about $500, and other officials estimate that damage at as much as $750.

“It gives me a little less secure feeling knowing this could happen, but women have often said they feel insecure in the evening hours or on weekends in this building,” Stanage said, referring to the feeling he claimed some secretaries often have at night in Zulauf Hall.

Stanage isn’t sure how the damage might have occured.

“It’s fruitless to speculate who might’ve done it or for what reason,” Stanage said. “What do I tell my students when papers look like this?” he said, holding a crinkled document.

Zulauf Hall maintenance workers called the heating plant, who examined the ceiling, the floors and the walls before opening up the heater to see if there was a problem, but they said there was no possibility of that happening.

“How could the middle drawer be filled with water?” Stanage said.

After the office was inspected, Stanage said the University Police were called.

“The damage happened between (Jan.) 25 and 28, and the case is now pending investigation,” said UP Lt. Ron Williams.

“Student papers, forms from graduate schools and files should be retyped,” he said.

Stanage said only philosophy department secretary Debbie Sanderson, Chairman Bill Tolhurst, some custodians and himself have keys to the office.

Stanage said he has never used the word “vandalism” when referring to the damage in his office. However, the word “‘vandalism’ was used by the heating officials and the police,” he said.