Concerning the matter of the zebra:

April 23, 2008

As most of you will have heard, a zebra was stolen from a nearby farm and left on the third floor of Seney Hall sometime last night.  The doors to the hallways on second and third floors were fastened shut from the inside and the elevator was vandalized all in an apparent effort to delay the animal's release.  Chairs were lined up across the windows in the hope that they would discourage the zebra from pushing up against the glass.  No food or water was left for the animal.  It did eat part of a College catalog.  Happily, after the elevator company made repairs, Animal Control officers were able to lead the zebra safely to a trailer and it is now back where it belongs.

Damage included the predictable biological consequences of confinement, and damage to the doors and the elevator.  A preliminary estimate is that the cost will be less than $10,000.

This incident continues a tradition of leading large quadrupeds to the upper floors of Seney Hall that was practiced from the 1930's through the 1950's, but had been suspended since then.  Viewed simplistically, this looks like a cute prank.  A zebra looking out the third floor windows of Seney Hall is admittedly funny.  But viewed more carefully, it is an indefensible theft of personal property that put an animal at risk of serious injury, cost dozens of dedicated Oxford staff a morning's productive work, and added unnecessary costs that will have to be covered by budgets that otherwise would have supported the College mission.  If those responsible are identified they will be at risk of criminal prosecution, and the College will take disciplinary action.  The College does not condone theft, reckless endangerment of animals, or vandalism to College property.

I am sure this one will go down in the annals of Oxford as the apex of animal elevation in Seney Hall.  Those responsible were lucky that the animal was not injured and that damage was minimal.  No one should count on being that lucky in the future.   I hope it will be at least another 50 years before the next such prank is attempted.

- Dean Bowen

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