Swastikas Are Found On Mather Elevator

Several swastikas have appeared in the elevator of the Mather House tower over the past few weeks, prompting the house council to solicit signatures Sunday and yesterday on a statement condemning the graffiti.

"The petition reminds us of the meaning of the swastika during the Nazi regime," said Mather House Master Jeffrey Williamson. "It reminds the community how the use of a swastika alienates individuals from the house."

According to Senior Tutor Pat C. Hoy II, the first swastika, spotted and removed three weeks ago, was drawn on the inside wall of the house's elevator. Another swastika appeared a few weeks later.

"It seems to be the work of one person, late at night, no bigger than that," Hoy said.

"Someone has been distasteful, inconsiderate," he said, adding that he does not believe the incident signals a campus-wide problem.

"The students, masters and senior tutors are all involved in doing something about this," Hoy said. "We have tabled a petition as a statement of our solidarity, to express our displeasure and unwillingness to abide by this type of activity."

Williamson commended the other house officials on their handling of the situation well. One student, however, criticized the house council for what he called a weak response.

"The house council has posted inconspicuous letters saying 'Don't put swastikas up--it's disrespectful,"' said Mather resident Jonathan E. Sigel '94. "That's like saying 'Please don't smoke--it's distasteful."'

"There has been a pathetic reac- tion to a huge thing that has occurred," Sigelsaid. "If it was [a statement against]African-Americans there would be a huge uproaralready."

Many Mather residents said they were satisfiedwith the way the house handled the matter.

"There was tabling all day [yesterday] and atdinner discussing the holocaust and thepersecution," said Mather resident Laura J. Grippa'93. "A lot of students had signed the petitionand the House masters were at the table showingsupport. They have been handling it well.

Many Mather residents said they were satisfiedwith the way the house handled the matter.

"There was tabling all day [yesterday] and atdinner discussing the holocaust and thepersecution," said Mather resident Laura J. Grippa'93. "A lot of students had signed the petitionand the House masters were at the table showingsupport. They have been handling it well.