At least three more buildings have been targets of arson and vandalism besides the Holmes Student Center, but the DeKalb Fire Department was not notified of these incidents.

Computer Science Chairman Rodney Angotti said flammable items on a classroom floor were set on fire on two occasions last week in the Psychology/Mathematics building, however, University Police Lt. Ron Williams denied knowledge of any vandalism other than that done to the student center. Williams later admitted there might be an investigation regarding various arson attacks throughout campus.

Angotti said witnesses in the Psych/Math building did not know how to handle the situation when they saw young suspicious people in the hallways. “My advice was that they ask for identification.”

A suspected group of high school-aged teenagers also targeted Zulauf Hall. Vandalism involving fire has occurred in the Visual Arts building also.

A faculty member said that a memo was sent to campus offices last week urging all personnel to lock doors and escort any suspicious people out of the buildings.

Ed Heiston, assistant superintendent of building services, said he is aware of the fire incidents and has seen evidence of vandalism involving fire in the bathrooms of the art building. He said toilet paper and other articles had been thrown on the floor and then ignited. Although the damage has been minimal, “it is a potentially dangerous situation—there is no doubt about that,” Heiston said.

James Norris, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the vandalism in the Zulauf building appears to be a “senseless juvenile act,” and does not believe the damage was caused by NIU students.

University Night Supervisor Jack Stiles said a group of high school students was asked to leave the Huskie Den in the student center Saturday, the same night the fire occurred in the center.

Lt. Stan Croom from the DeKalb Fire Department said the only recent fire report from NIU was on Saturday night. He said the fire department is investigating the arson in conjunction with the UPs.

Croom said the UPs do not always contact the fire department if a small fire occurs on campus. “It’s a judgment call. Sometimes they do, sometimes not.”

Superintendant of Building Services Keith Strutz said he was informed about incidents of vandalism in the Psych/Math and Zulauf buildings, but did not know if the problems included a fire.