Theft of money despicable act

Last week someone stole $1,300 from the IU Student Association offices. The money was earmarked for disaster relief funds.\nAccording to the American Red Cross, that much money would feed a family of four for two weeks. It would pay for 20 days of meals and hotel stays for a displaced victim. It would be enough to provide emergency shelter and food for 250 people for one day.\n At a time when all Americans are sharing in a tremendous pain after our fellow Americans -- innocent civilians -- were killed by terrorists, we need to come together.\n And dozens of members of the Bloomington and campus community did just that. They donated $1,300 to the relief efforts through the commendable efforts of IUSA.\n IUSA showed the community's unity by mobilizing a fund-raising campaign to assist victims of the attacks. \nBut one person shattered that unity by taking the money. Whoever that person is, he or she felt their cause to be more important than providing food, shelter, clothing and medication to the victims of the worst terrorist attack to occur on American soil.\nWe join the entire IU community in condemning this cowardly and despicable act. \nSo, to the person who committed this atrocity, shame on you. The terrorist attacks brought out incredible courage and compassion from the American people. It showed what is great about America. What you have done mocks the acts of heroism and incredible generosity the rest of America has displayed.\nWe can only hope the guilt you must feel right now will be enough to compel you to return the money. Think of all the people that could have been helped by those donations.\nThe police know the thief had access to both the IUSA office and the locked cabinet in which it was stored, so the list of suspects is short. Save yourself the trouble and just give the money back.\nIUSA has vowed to replace the stolen money from its own budget. It is a right and admirable step, but it shouldn't be necessary. \nThis is unfair to IUSA and to the students. Not only did the thief take donation money, but he or she also stole part of student activity fee money. \nThank you, IUSA, for stepping up and organizing a fund-raising effort. Thank you for being willing to sacrifice funds to make up for those lost. \nAnd to the thief, we strongly urge you to return the money. You will be caught. You will be punished. If you return the money, it will be your last chance to show that you retain a shred of humanity.