The University of Idaho Argonaut

The backpack storage space at Bob's has been having issues with theft. On Sept. 11 and 12 three backpacks were taken within 12 hours. Photo Illustration by Jake Barber/Argonaut

Students dining at Bob’s Place have lost the right to carry their backpacks into the cafeteria because of food theft, but some are worried about the potential for their backpacks to be stolen.

In the past, students have habitually carried food out of Bob’s Place, with the quantities stunning those who run the dining center.
“It’s an unfortunate fact that students put food in their backpacks,” said Mike Thomsen, director of operations of Bob’s Place. “I’ve seen students carry out loaves of bread and multiple sandwiches.”

Thomsen said students’ theft could amount to more than $10,000 per year, with “dozens of cookies and even whole bulk bags of cereal stuffed into backpacks.”
The current policy at Bob’s Place requires students to leave backpacks in cubbies by the door in order to minimize theft, but this has led to some incidents of backpack theft.
Thomsen said on Sept.11 and 12, three backpacks disappeared within 12 hours from the cubbies, with two going missing at dinner and one
at breakfast.

A laptop was among the items stolen.
Thomsen said he would prefer students leave backpacks in their rooms, but recognizes that occasionally this isn’t convenient.
“I don’t like the policy either … but Bob’s isn’t all you can eat plus all you can carry out,”
Thomsen said.

He also said the staff of Bob’s Place would help students recover lost valuables if they went against advice and brought them into Bob’s Place.
Some students are not content with the present situation and would like to keep watch over their backpacks while dining.
“On average, I carry about $5,000 of computer equipment and intellectual property around with me in my backpack,” said sophomore Benjamin Vesterby. “If that were to get stolen, it would be devastating.”
He said it would be reassuring to keep his backpack with him in his sight.
“I know that someone would not walk up to me sitting and studying and try to take it from right in front of me,” Vesterby said. “If they did try and do that, they wouldn’t get very far.”

Others would like to be able to carry food out of Bob’s Place, but not in the quantities that Thomsen mentioned.
“I wish I could have a doggy bag,” said freshman Henry Guzman. “Because sometimes I have a lot of homework to do and I want to just grab a lot of food and take it up to my room and eat it while I do my homework.”
Thomsen said he was dissatisfied with the current situation, and that the University of Idaho should be more of a community.
“(Theft) isn’t what UI is about,” he said.

Thomsen said education was the key to keeping students from stealing, and concern for the rules
could help.
“A few students abused the policy and made it inconvenient for everyone,” he said. “We just try to educate the students.”