The original version of this blog post contained information that was unclear and has been changed. See the bottom of the article for additional information.
A UCLA plaque near an entrance to campus on Sunset Boulevard was recently vandalized to read “USC.”
Second-year geography and environmental studies student Sean Murphy said she came across the vandalized sign located near the northern entrance to campus near the UCLA Anderson School of Management while on a run about 8:30 a.m.
A photo Murphy took of the sign shows the letters “L” and “A” crossed out using red paint and an “S” added to reword the letters, spelling out the name of UCLA’s crosstown rival. Surrounding the sign, red and yellow spray paint seemingly depict two penises.
University police received no reports of the incident as of Monday evening, UCPD officials said. It is unknown when the vandalism occurred, officials said.
[UPDATE: As of 11:30 p.m., the vandalism had not yet been removed.]
Rivalry week between UCLA and USC began Sunday, where students from both schools traditionally camp out to protect their respective mascots from vandalism leading up to the Bruins’ Saturday football game against the Trojans.
UCPD generally increases patrol around the Bruin Bear and Pauley Pavilion during Spirit Week, police said.
[UPDATED Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.: The graffiti was removed before noon on Tuesday and was estimated to cost about $450, said Steve Ritea, a UCLA spokesman, in an emailed statement.]
Compiled by Erin Donnelly, Bruin senior staff.
Clarification: The plaque that was vandalized is located near an entrance to UCLA on Sunset Boulevard near the UCLA Anderson School of Management.