Public generally ignores University-wide lost and found

On the ground floor of Ballantine Hall, tucked in a corner, sits a little-known lost and found office. A wall filled with misplaced keys exemplifies just how few people know of the existence of this room.\nA retiree by the name of Don Hash is the sole employee of the lost and found. Hash, who worked for the IU Police Department for 44 years, and retired just five years ago, said he enjoys the time he spends working the lost and found.\n"I came back looking for something to do," Hash said. "It's a service, and I like to serve the people."\nHash said his responsibilities mainly include e-mailing and making phone calls to people whose lost items have been found.\nHash tries to track down the owner whenever a name is available on the item. However, when they are unable to find an owner's name, the item remains at the lost and found and awaits a claim. Unclaimed items are held for two semesters, after which they are donated to various organizations.\n"Cell phones that don't get claimed are donated to the \nwomen's shelter," said IUPD Sgt. Craig Munroe. "Other unclaimed items are donated to places like the Salvation Army or the Opportunity House, or any place that could use the donations." \nThe lost and found was created in the summer of 2004, and is staffed by the IUPD. Between August and December of the opening year, $34,660 worth of merchandise was returned to students. In total, $42,484 worth of merchandise has been returned.\n"The first year there were a ton of returns because a lot was in here when we got it," Munroe said. "Building services used to run it."\nMunroe said the IUPD took over the lost and found mainly for convenience purposes. \n"Most people who found property before were turning it into us, so we put it all under one roof," Munroe said.\nMunroe said there is a rumor that a wooden leg was once turned in, but Munroe and Hash agree that most of the items returned are just everyday items.\n"We mostly just get common property," Hash said. "We've had everything from baby clothes to cell phones to cameras."\nMany students are unaware of the lost and found, resulting in the surplus of lost items which have accumulated in the room.\n"I had no idea there was a lost and found located in Ballantine," said freshman Austin Francalancia.\nFor students searching for lost items, the room is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Students can also call the lost and found at 855-7372.