A group of Straus Hall first-years has started a petition to protest paying for an oriental rug that is missing from the hall's common room.

Residents said they were informed this week by their proctors that they would be charged for the rug, which has been missing since last week.

Several students have appealed to Assistant Dean of Freshmen Lorraine Sterritt, saying that too many non-residents have access to the common room to hold the residents responsible.

"Anyone could have stolen that rug," said Straus resident William P. Bohlen '01. "It is unfair to punish residents of Straus for something that was more than likely done by an outsider."

But according to Sterritt, the residents agreed to pay for damage to the common room when they signed their rooming card at the beginning of the year.

Residents dispute the fairness of the decision.

"Anyone who wants to use a common room has to use ours," said Alice H. Pritikin '01. "It's not fair to just charge us."

Student groups use the room for dance practiceand receptions, among other functions.

"Almost every evening there is somebody inthere," Pritikin said.

Residents said it's principle, not money, thatmatters to them.

"We are not here to babysit furniture," Bohlensaid.

Julie Rando '01 organized the petition. AnotherStraus first-year, Adam A. Sofen '01, who is aCrimson editor, started a letter writing campaignto protest the charge.

According to Bohlen, dance groups often roll upthe rug for their rehearsals. He speculated therug "could have been rolled up and therefore veryeasy to gather" when it was stolen.

Pritikin also noted a broken window lock in thecommon room which would have allowed anyone toenter the common room