Recent incidents of vandalism at newly-renovated Annenberg Hall have raised concerns about the building's security, according to Dean of Freshmen Elizabeth Studley Nathans.

"We are most concerned about the artwork, since those items are on loan [from the Fogg Art Museum]," Nathans said.

The busts and statues in the first-year dining hall were refurbished as part of the renovation efforts. Nathans described recent acts of vandalism as costly and possibly irreparably damaging.

"[Recently the John] Adams statue was vandalized.... Someone pulled the finger off. The arm had just been replaced at great cost," Nathans said.

But Nathans added that vandalism of the statue of John Adams is a longstanding tradition.

In the 1970s, pranksters painted Adams with lipstick and this spirit of rebellion has persisted.

But the new vandalism is more destructive than in past years, according to Nathans. Parts of the broken finger are still missing, and there may be irreparable damage.

In addition to the disfigurement of the John Adams statue, Nathans said students have also defaced tables in the dining hall.

"Students are carving their initials in the tables," Nathans said.

"[The tables] were custom made and refinishing costs the students," she said.

Nathans said that the incidents of vandalism has forced the administration to consider a number of security alternatives.

"It raises broader concerns for the security of the building," Nathans said.

She said that students entering through exits at the rear of the building pose a security problem because they may allow people to enter through those doors.

"We're looking at various surveillance devices," she added.

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