This year, there has been a disturbing rise in the number of incidents of vandalism of student artwork. Sculptures and other works installed in public areas on campus have been defaced or destroyed.
Students in studio art courses are often encouraged or required to place their artworks in these spaces for the realization of artistic objectives and for the benefit of the student body. Placing these works in a public space is an invitation for student feedback and an introduction of art into the university landscape.
Artists’ works are often the result of weeks, if not months of preparation and research. Though the nature of displaying art allows for a vulnerability to vandalism, these works merit the same academic respect from fellow students as a paper or an exam.
Instances of vandalism create the impression that the Lawrence community does not respect students’ academic and artistic pursuits, regardless of whether the vandalism is the work of one or many.
We at The Lawrentian do not recommend increased security measures or more surveillance on campus; instead, we suggest that vandals demonstrate the respectful behavior they agreed to when they signed the honor code in Freshman Studies.
We hope that members of this community will make a greater effort to uphold an atmosphere that encourages, rather than hinders, the accomplishments of their peers.
Staff Editorial
