Quincy Loses Art Loaned by Fogg After Dance

Two valuable prints on loan to Quincy House from the Fogg Art Museum were discovered missing from the Griswold Room off the house's dining hall following the Bare as You Dare Dance in the dining hall last Friday night.

Quincy House dining hall staff said they first noticed that the prints were missing on Saturday morning. The food cart had been stored in the Griswold Room during the dance.

The theft was reported to Harvard University Police, and was classified in the police blotter as a larceny of value "greater than $250."

In an e-mail message sent to all Quincy House residents, the house committee leaders asked that the person or people responsible for the prints' removal turn them in to a house committee member immediately. The author promised no questions would be asked.

House Committee Publicity Chair James P. Stewart '00 estimated that between 150 and 200 students attended be dance. House committee members said it would have been difficult for the prints to have been stolen during the dance, though because of tight security.

House Committee Chair Carla P. Kovacs '99 said there were three security guards and two chaperones guarding the area through which the thieves would have had to pass while carrying the prints.

Stewart added that there was a table blocking entrance to the Griswold Room during the dance. "[Stealing the prints] during the dance, I think, would have been really tough."

Committee members said they thought the theft happened either before or after the dance.

Kovacs said she believes the prints will be returned. She said "somebody must have seen something. We have to have faith that someone will come forward."

She said Quincy House residents were disturbed by the crime. "All of Quincy House is upset that they were taken."

House Master Michael Shinagel said he hoped the matter would be resolved without publicity. "This is a house matter," he said. "I'd like it to stay that way."

It was not clear last night whether the theft would have implications for universal keycard access, which Quincy House has been offering on an experimental basis.

Committee members said that while it is possible someone who is not a resident of Quincy House could have taken the prints, it is not likely that restricted entry would have presented the crime, especially if it happened during the dance.

Many Quincy residents say they were saddened by the crime.

"I think it is terrible, you just lose trust inpeople," said James E. Lenhart '99.

Dipti S. Kandlikar '00 said she hopes theprints were not stolen by a Harvard student. "It'ssad that something like this happened, sad if wastaken by a student." She said the prints couldhave been taken by someone other than a Harvardstudent during the dance. "There were a lot ofpeople here," she said.

Elizabeth S. Grossman '00 expressed concernabout the impact of the theft on future loans fromthe Fogg Museum.

"It is impressive that the Fogg is willing toloan pieces to houses." When a crime like thishappens, she said, "It puts a lot of people in areally tough position."

Residents said they were pleased that the housecommittee stressed the value of the prints ratherthan the necessity for anyone to be punished.

Committee members say no charges will broughtagainst the person who took the artwork. "We justwant (The prints) back," Kovacs said

"I think it is terrible, you just lose trust inpeople," said James E. Lenhart '99.

Dipti S. Kandlikar '00 said she hopes theprints were not stolen by a Harvard student. "It'ssad that something like this happened, sad if wastaken by a student." She said the prints couldhave been taken by someone other than a Harvardstudent during the dance. "There were a lot ofpeople here," she said.

Elizabeth S. Grossman '00 expressed concernabout the impact of the theft on future loans fromthe Fogg Museum.

"It is impressive that the Fogg is willing toloan pieces to houses." When a crime like thishappens, she said, "It puts a lot of people in areally tough position."

Residents said they were pleased that the housecommittee stressed the value of the prints ratherthan the necessity for anyone to be punished.

Committee members say no charges will broughtagainst the person who took the artwork. "We justwant (The prints) back," Kovacs said