Updated: The letter ‘A’ is back at Campus Kristiansand

Updated on Wednesday 13 May at 13:25.

When staff and students at UiA arrived at Campus Kristiansand on Monday morning, UiA had once again been reduced to ‘U’.

The last time the letters I and A were torn down was in October last year.

The difference is that this time, one of the letters, the A, was missing.

A reward equivalent to 100 buns from SiA was offered for information, along with an amnesty until Wednesday at 12 noon.

“We can now confirm that we have the ‘A’ under control, and that both it and the ‘I’ have been sent for repair,” says Director of Communications, Øivind Dagsvik Eskedal.

“We hope to have all three letters back in good condition and back in place very soon, but it will probably take a few days,” says Eskedal.

Tips and photo evidence

Several tips have come in over the last few days, including photographic evidence from the night of Saturday when the 'A' was stolen and taken to a neighbourhood near the campus.

“In the end, we were left with a clear idea of where it was, and we were able to go and bring it home without any drama,” says Eskedal.

UiA does not currently plan to report the matter to the police.

“But there will be no amnesty or reward next time,” says the Director of Communications.

Together with the supplier, UiA will now consider how further vandalism and theft can be prevented.

The reward

UiA would like to thank everyone for the tips received in helping to get the campus landmark back in place.

"Many people have helped, and those who provided the crucial information will receive a gift voucher equivalent to the hundred buns", says Eskedal.

Poor timing

The theft was reported in a number of media outlets on Monday and Tuesday.

"It’s a shame if anyone felt they had to resort to vandalism over the weekend just to get an A", said Eskedal on Monday.

The vandalism occurred at a bad time for the university.

In May and June, many people take photos in front of the letters to mark the end of their final exams. The biggest conference ever held at UiA, EURAM, is also coming to the university in mid-June.