Cable thieves have illegally spliced wires and removed cable cartridges to receive free cable television in residence halls and in apartment buildings across campus, but that practice may soon come to an end.
"We do know, based on audits that we do on campus, that the theft rate there is rather high," said Bill Black, director of company affairs at Continental CableVision.
One Engineering sophomore, who lives in a residence hall and who wished to remain anonymous, has taken advantage of his hallmates' ingenuity to avoid paying the $24.50 per month standard charge for regular cable.
"They used just a normal little power tool and they took the bolt out. Then they were able to take out the cartridges. Then they just put the box back on," he said. Now he and his hallmates receive free cable service, including pay-per-view channels.
To combat the widespread cable theft on campus, Continental CableVision initiated a program last week that will crack down on the theft by actively searching out cable thieves with the help of the Department of Public Safety.
"When we find someone has tampered with the system, we get the campus public safety involved," Black said.
"We haven't addressed it perhaps as aggressively as we should, and we do plan to work with the University to do more audits and prosecuting if that's what it takes."
"The only thing we can do is check," Black said.
When Continental CableVision does catch someone who has either stolen cable services or tampered with the cable system, Black said the company has several options in handling the situation.
"There are state and federal laws that relate to the stealing of cable service," Black said.
"There is up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, or both. In addition, civil damages of $250 or more can be recovered," he said.
Many cable thieves do not realize their actions can affect the entire cable system, Black said.
"When people steal cable they generally do damage to the cable system," Black said, emphasizing that this can relate to picture loss and static on television sets of customers in the area.
"The cost for operating the cable system needs to be spread across," Black said.
"(Cable theft) has the effect that people who are paying (for cable service) have to pay more."
Many students pointed to the high cost of tuition and living expenses at the University as justification for their illegal actions.
"If you compare the amount of money that we pay for room and board, we should get free cable," said one LSA first-year student and dorm resident.
"It was brilliant of them to leave (the cable box) right here in the middle of the hall. Some people in this school are mechanically inclined geniuses. That is why this is Michigan," he said.
Other students said revenge against the cable company was their prime motive in stealing cable services.
"We weren't going to do it," said the sophomore Engineering student. "We had free HBO and Showtime and they took it away, so we got pissed at them."