The Inter-Faculty Lecture Theatre was also one of the buildings plastered with pro -Calabar slangs. - Nathaniel Stewart

In what seems to be a case of school rivalry gone too far, the University of the West Indies' Mona campus was transformed into a virtual Calabar shrine sometime between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Students and administration officials of the institution were greeted with various 'Calabar signatures' on Wednesday, which were spread across several buildings in the faculties of Pure and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities and Education. The buildings were sprayed with graffiti declaring 'C-Bar', 'Calabar 4 life', 'Rabalac', and 'Fortis Killers' in the trademark green and black colours.

Reports suggest that Calabar's celebration of their Boys Athletic Championship victory started getting out of hand when a Calabar flag was hoisted at the university's entrance. The flag was removed by the administration on Monday morning.

It seems, however, that the assault started the day before at the 'KC Tree', where past students and affiliates of the Kingston College High School usually gather.

"It started from Sunday morning after champs, persons affiliated with KC came and saw the tree painted in green and black piano style, 'Calabar, C-Bar and Rabalac', and there was a flag around the tree", a KC past student said. The tree was repainted to its original white, but on Monday, it was again re-painted.

On Wednesday, however, the culprits did not bother to repaint the area, but took their 'campaign' beyond the 'KC Tree'.

Carl Lawrence, the university's legal adviser, said nothing of this nature has ever occurred at the university.

"The university is not against rivalry or good sportsmanship. It's the first time we experienced vandalism and destruction to property of the university," Mr. Lawrence said.

Mr. Lawrence further com-mented that while the graffiti is depicting Calabar colours and symbols, the university was not sure whether the damage was done by past students or supporters of Calabar. He also said he met with an active Calabar past student who denounced the actions.

He denied reports that offenders had been identified and meetings held with past students.

At least one Calabar student openly denied that the students were responsible for the vandalism.

But until the matter is sorted out, Lawrence said, "Security is on high alert for eventualities, and [the] administration at the moment is examining the matter. The university will be taking very serious action in this matter. They are looking at it seriously."

He also said that steps are being taken to prevent any such action from even being thought of again.