A week after the painting of former Ithaca College president Ellis Phillips was stolen from Phillips Hall, the portrait has yet to be recovered.

Investigator Tom Dunn said if the guilty students are identified, they could be charged with grand larceny in the 3rd degree, a Class D Felony. The portrait was purchased for $12,600 in 2000.

“I hope it turns up without damage,” he said. “We’re just hoping to get the property returned. It’s an expensive piece of artwork.”

Dunn said the Office of Public Safety is continuing the investigation for the portrait, which was stolen at approximately 5:30 p.m. last Thursday. A witness saw a student waking toward the Lower Quads with the painting.

Dunn said Public Safety believes the student lives in the Lower Quads, Garden Apartments or Emerson Hall. Public Safety is not allowed to search the dorm rooms in these buildings because of privacy issues, he said.

Dunn said he is hoping the students who removed the painting will return it to the college.

“We’re hoping somebody’s conscience will get to them,” he said. “… Maybe they’re ignorant to the fact that it’s valuable.”