Vandals carved swastikas on the door of a Matthews North bathroom stall earlier this month, causing a University official to send letters condemning the act to dorm residents.

Maintenance workers painted over a swastika on a Matthews men's room stall door on October 12, said the letter written by Associate Dean W. C. Burris Young '55, the South Yard senior adviser. Another swastika appeared a few days later, according to the letter.

"Nothing now remains but the knowledge to those who saw them that these vile and perverted symbols are there beneath a spray of paint," said Young in the letter.

Dorm residents are "in the process of dealing with the incident as a dorm," and plan to meet in proctor groups to discuss tolerance at Harvard, said Charles Matt, a Matthews North proctor. "It's a very delicate issue."

One dorm resident, Dave B. Blumenthal '94, said he does not believe the offender was a member of the college community. "I'm pretty shocked that someone from Harvard could have done such a thing."

Rene E. Rojas '94 said he hopes disciplinary action will be taken. "I think it's disgusting and I don't think [the vandals] belong here," he said.