The Pacer learned this afternoon that UTM students Brian Swayze and Sean O’Brien have given statements in connection with the disappearance of copies of The Pacer from the Humanities Building.
Swayze is a sophomore Management major from Franklin, Tenn., and O’Brien is a junior Biology and Management major from Kirkwood, N.J.
No formal charges have yet been filed against the two men. The Department of Public Safety and the Office of Student Publications are continuing to investigate the disappearance of The Pacer from not only Humanities, but from multiple racks on campus.
The Pacer currently has pictures of empty newspaper racks in EPS, Brehm Hall, University Center, Humanities and the Business Building. Only one newspaper was left in the Student Recreation Center, and other buildings are still being checked.
Once The Pacer determined copies were missing from multiple racks, Public Safety was contacted and asked to check the video feed from the University Center. The rack was discovered not to be in camera range in the University Center; so Public Safety then checked the video feed from the lobby of Humanities. Shortly thereafter, Pacer staff members, Pacer adviser Tomi Parrish and SGA adviser John Abel were asked to go to Public Safety to consult with officers.
“We will see this situation through and work with all appropriate officials to determine a fair resolution,” Parrish said. “Meanwhile, we will do our best to report the truth and to uphold the due process of law, which is innocent till proved guilty.”
The Pacer first learned on Thursday, March 27, that papers were missing from the University Center. The racks were refilled on Friday, March 28, and those newspapers are still on the racks. Throughout the past several days, multiple sources have told The Pacer that several racks on campus were empty, which initiated the investigation by The Pacer staff and adviser.
Roughly half of The Pacer‘s biweekly circulation of 2,000 copies has disappeared. The Pacer‘s formal distribution policy is printed on page 2 of every issue and clearly states: “This newspaper is free in single copy and printed biweekly on Wednesdays during the semester.” The March 26 edition cost $400 to print and included $146.50 in advertising. The total value of the missing newspapers is $273.25, which equals misdemeanor theft.
The Pacer will provide updates as information becomes available.
Feature photo: Malorie Paine
