Mechanical engineering sophomore Neel Kogali’s door in his Poly Canyon Village (PCV) apartment was vandalized Tuesday night by roommate and construction management sophomore Matthew Kolesnikov, according to Kogali and Kolesnikov.
This incident was brought to the attention of Cal Poly administration when Kogali submitted a report regarding Kolesnikov and earth science sophomore Evan Mattern, who also lives in the apartment.
In addition to sending a report, Kogali posted pictures of the vandalism in his apartment on Facebook on Wednesday night. As of Friday morning, the post had been shared more than 400 times.
After seeing the post on Facebook, the University Police Department (UPD) came to the students’ apartment and brought both Kolesnikov and Mattern in for questioning. Kolesnikov was held for further questioning after admitting to vandalizing the door himself.
Kolesnikov said he is currently suspended. Mattern declined to comment due to the investigation. University spokesperson Matt Lazier said he was unable to confirm any disciplinary actions or judicial affairs investigations about specific students because of the FERPA privacy law.
The incident is being investigated by both the UPD and the campus judicial affairs department. Not only is the criminal aspect of this vandalism being investigated, but a student conduct case is underway as well.
Kogali is unsure if he will press criminal charges against Kolesnikov at this time. He is moving to another apartment in PCV.
Watch part of an exclusive interview with Kogali above.