Macalester Professor Charged After Property Damage
A longtime chemistry professor at the college has been charged with felony criminal damage to property.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Chemistry
Paul Jerome Fischer, a 55-year-old former Macalester College professor, has been charged with felony criminal damage after a student reported finding urine on her backpack. The incident followed a series of reports regarding the disposal of urine in the campus science building.
Why it matters
The case has prompted legal action following an investigation into property damage totaling $2,070. Fischer has resigned his position at the college while the criminal proceedings move forward.
The criminal complaint details six separate urination reports at the Olin-Rice Science Center occurring between November and December 2025. Fischer allegedly admitted to disposing of containers of urine around the facility during his 25-year tenure.
The players
Paul Jerome Fischer
He is a 55-year-old former chemistry professor who worked at Macalester College for 25 years before resigning.
Macalester College
This is a private liberal arts college located in St. Paul where the incidents occurred.
St. Paul Police Department
This local law enforcement agency received the initial report of property damage from a student.
The details
After a student left her backpack unattended for six minutes on December 5, she discovered it had been damaged by urine. Fischer, who had been employed by Macalester College for 25 years, claimed he was attempting to empty a container into a trash can near his office.
Timeline
Six reports of urination were documented at the Olin-Rice Science Center between Nov 11 and Dec 5, 2025.
The incident involving the student's backpack occurred on Dec 5, 2025.
St. Paul police received the formal report regarding the damaged property on Feb 2, 2026.
A criminal complaint was officially filed against Fischer on Oct 7, 2026.
Fischer is expected to make his first court appearance in November 2026.
The Big Picture
This case follows the standard procedural path for felony property damage charges established by the 2026 Ramsey County criminal complaint filings.
The incident has resulted in increased scrutiny of conduct and property safety within the Olin-Rice Science Center. Students and staff are advised to follow updated security protocols regarding unattended personal items in communal lab spaces.
The takeaway
Maintaining the security of personal property in shared academic spaces is essential to preventing costly damage and administrative disruption. Faculty members are reminded that institutional codes of conduct apply to all activities occurring within campus facilities.
What happens next
Paul Jerome Fischer is scheduled to make his first court appearance in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on laboratory standards and research environment policies, see Chemistry.
