Those dining hall mugs and spare spoons sitting around in countless dorm rooms do not just make it hard to find silverware at peak lunch hours, but also contribute to boarding costs at Boston University, Dining Services said.

Incidents of dining hall theft have been widespread on campus, and the money BU spends on replacement items each year contributes to students’ meal plan fees, Dining Services Marketing Director Michelle Vitagliano said in an email.

“It is important for our guests to understand that these stolen items need to be replaced in order to run a successful operation,” Vitagliano said. “If guests are caught stealing items in the dining locations on campus they will likely be referred to the Dean of Students Office and Judicial Affairs.”

Dining Services is planning to hold an “amnesty day” for students to return stolen items to the dining halls without repercussions, Vitagliano said.

Eric Cornelius, a College of Arts and Sciences junior, said he does not think anyone will participate in amnesty day.

“It’s not exactly fine china people are walking out with,” Cornelius said. “I can’t imagine anyone would bother.”

A survey of National Association of College ‘ University Food Services members by the Burlington Free Press earlier this month showed more than 10 colleges reporting disappearing inventories and frequently paying to replace student-stolen items.

“Breakage happens but thievery is the biggest culprit,” a Michigan State University official told the Burlington Free Press.

“It is a situation at every college I’ve worked at,” a University of California at Berkley official said in the survey. “Once students are on a meal plan it unfortunately seems ‘free’ to them.”

CAS sophomore Hillary Baverman said she feels no remorse for stealing from dining halls. She said she has taken small items, oftentimes unintentionally.

“[BU] can spend a few more bucks for a few extra spoons; they have the money,” she said.

Many students said they have never witnessed students getting caught for stealing, and including the cost of replacement items in every student’s meal plan will only encourage theft, Baverman said. She said sending students to Judicial Affairs Office is going “way overboard,” and students caught stealing should only have to pay the price of the items they steal.

“People are going to think, ‘Who the heck cares? They are going to charge you anyway,'” she said.

College of Engineering freshman Julia Kleven said all her friends steal from the dining halls. One friend stole a complete set — plate, bowl and silverware — and prides herself on it, Kleven said.

“I don’t like paying for what other people steal, but the dining hall rips you off in other ways that it’s not a big deal,” Kleven said.

She said students should only have to pay if they get caught in the act.

School of Management freshman Nayeli Urbiola said she does not think it is fair or right for students to take from the dining halls in any situation.

“It’s unfair for people who don’t steal from the dining hall,” she said. “I don’t think people are entitled to steal because it’s still stealing.”

Urbiola said she has not seen anyone take items from the dining hall and has not stolen anything herself.