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idsnews.com 2022 Freshman Edition
Editor Marissa Meador news@idsnews.com
'Devious lick' trend costs thousands in damages By Tory Basile
vlbasile@iu.edu | @torybasilee
A TikTok trend may be to blame for an uptick of vandalism in residence halls after students returned to campus this fall. IU residents have stolen or damaged ceiling tiles, door numbers, bathroom markers and exit signs across several on-campus residence centers in recent weeks, IU Director of Residential Life Sara Ivey Lucas said. These reports began just after a popular social media trend began circulating around TikTok and Twitter where students steal property from their schools, then announce it as a “devious lick.” She said she feels the viral internet challenge could be responsible, as schools across the nation have suffered serious damages in the last month. “I do not believe that our students are immune to TikTok challenges and ‘devious licks,’” Ivey Lucas said. “I think that also in some ways it becomes an easy scapegoat.” Ivey Lucas said these damages have caused unforeseen high costs for the university. Costs for broken exit signs have totaled nearly $20,000 across multiple residence halls, she said, because each exit sign costs about $400 to repair, including
equipment and maintenance expenses. “It’s not normal wear and tear,” Ivey Lucas said. “In the first two months that we’ve been back this semester, we have had over 50 exit signs either completely removed and or at least partially damaged.” Ivey Lucas said this number is comparatively shocking, considering IU saw around 50 exit signs damaged in total between the 2016 and 2020 academic years. She said she’s never seen vandalism to this year’s extent in her tenure at IU. Ivey Lucas said she has a few theories as to why there’s been a stark increase in vandalism. She said she thinks the time students spent stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic led to students developing pent-up energy. If the students involved are not identified by a certain date, Ivey Lucas said Residence Programs Services will evenly distribute fines to all residents living in either the hall or the specific floor affected. Ivey Lucas said RPS is approaching the situation proactively by informing students of potential charges from vandalism now, as opposed to later in the semester. She said some floors this year have already exceeded $3,000 to $4,000 worth of damages.
IDS FILE PHOTO
IU residents have stolen or damaged ceiling tiles, door numbers, bathroom markers and exit signs across several on-campus residence halls, IU Director of Residential Life SaraIvey Lucas said. Irene Pollard, IU freshman and resident of Read Center, said guests on her floor ripped a sign off of a wall and exposed the drywall underneath
Irene Pollard, IU freshman and Read Center resident, said she believes the TikTok trend is 100% responsible for the vandalism on her floor. A few weeks ago, Pollard said guests on her floor ripped a sign off of the wall, tearing off the drywall to expose the cement underneath
was visible. After the incident, Pollard said her RA called a floor meeting informing residents they could face legal and financial repercussions if they were involved in a vandalism incident. RPS also sent an email to those living in residence halls Oct. 4 warning they will begin
to charge residents for their repairs if vandalism continues. IU would involve the Office of Student Conduct, or even the IU Police Department if necessary, depending on the extent of damages and the student’s disciplinary background. Pollard said she and many
other students don’t want to deal with extra fees. She urged students to stop with the trend. “For you just to take some little thing, that costs money,” Pollard said. “How stupid do you have to be?” This article was orginally published on Oct. 19, 2021.
Bloomington City Council votes unanimously to increase income tax By Marissa Meador
marnmead@iu.edu | @marissa_meador
The Bloomington City Council voted to raise the local income tax by 0.69% at its meeting Wednesday, a reduction from the initial proposal of a 0.855% increase. The tax increase was proposed by Mayor John Hamilton at a council meeting April 13 to fund four categories: public safety, climate change preparedness and mitigation,
equity and quality of life, and essential city services. Although the vote was expected to take place last week, it was postponed due to the absence of a council member. Councilmember Ron Smith proposed an amendment to lower the tax rate increase from 0.855% to 0.69% at the meeting May 4, which passed unanimously. Monroe County citizens currently pay a 1.345% local income tax rate, which will raise to
2.035% after this resolution goes into effect. Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger said she was glad to see the council compromise and hopes the momentum will continue for the rest of the term. Councilmember Dave Rollo supported the amendment to reduce the proposed increase to 0.69%, but said he felt even the reduced tax rate increase would still harm middle and low income resi-
dents. Rollo said cost of living increases have made it a bad time to raise taxes. Rollo motioned to postpone the vote until May 18 so the council could continue to lower the proposed increase. His motion failed with three council members voting in support of postponing the vote, but six voting against. The tax increase would apply to all of Monroe County because all decisions regarding local income
tax stem from the Monroe County Local Income Tax Council. However, Bloomington City Council controls 56.7% of the voting power in the LIT Council, meaning unanimous decisions from Bloomington City Council automatically have majority approval. Councilmember Steven Volan said he is supportive of increased funding for public transit. “It would be transforma-
tive,” Volan said. Councilmember Susan Sandberg said she was concerned how the tax increase would affect rural residents outside of Bloomington who may not have the same quality social service network. “We have more here to consider than just what’s best for the city of Bloomington,” Sandberg said. This article was orginally published on May 4, 2022.
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