Theft Mars ASUC Bookswap

After the three most successful days the ASUC Bookswap has ever seen, thousands of dollars were stolen from the swap's headquarters in Sproul Plaza Thursday morning.

Between $10,000 and $30,000 was swiped from the Bookswap on its last day, which was tacked on at the last minute because of the event's growing popularity. But ASUC officials promised the money will be distributed to Bookswap participants this week.

With limited records and receipts, however, ASUC President Misha Leybovich said it is hard to pinpoint how much money was actually lost.

"If we don't recover this money, then the fate of any future Bookswaps is in jeopardy," Leybovich said. "I really don't want to see this service for students go away."

The ASUC Auxiliary, which handles the business affairs of the student government, will front the participants' money until an insurance claim is filed.

But since it is not certain that insurance will grant the reimbursement, Leybovich said, he may have to draw from other funds to pay participants.

The ASUC has limited funds itself-just more than $7,200 remain in the contingency fund, earmarked for student groups and senate activity-so it is unclear where tens of thousands of dollars could come from to pay swap participants.

ASUC officials currently do not have any leads on who stole the cash, but Leybovich said the culprit likely watched the Bookswap to become familiar with its procedures and where the money was stored.

"It's just really awful when my staff and all the people who helped out have been busting their butts to put on this event to really help out students, and someone has to come and ruin that for everyone," Leybovich said. "Had it not been for this mishap, it would have been awesome."

UCPD is investigating the theft, and Leybovich is pinning his hopes on cameras aimed over the Sproul Plaza. However, police are unsure if the cameras were aimed at the bookswap or if camera footage could result in an arrest, Leybovich said.

The Bookswap's security problems stemmed from an overworked and overwhelmed staff: several dozen students were charged with organizing the event that saw some 3,000 books bought and sold, Leybovich said. In the first Bookswap in spring 2003, 500 students participated.

"Not only were we understaffed, but we were also underprepared," Leybovich said. "People were playing multiple roles and the security system just broke down."

Changes in procedure-students could now drop off their books and return Thursday to pick up their money-meant the cash had to be on Sproul at the same time, giving the thief a prime opportunity to steal the money.

In the past, book swappers bought and sold books face to face on site or left contact information and took care of their transactions later.

Despite the student government's promise that all students will see their money again, the theft is a major blow to the Bookswap's reputation.

"It's kind of irresponsible," said junior Hiu-Yan Chow. "You never know what kind of people walk around campus, they should have had someone standing there."

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