Ha. This is actually exactly what happened at my university. Everyone used to use them as sleds when it would snow, and then the university got rid of them. In retrospect it seems pretty ridiculous - any claim of "money lost" should be rebutted with the cost of tuition that increases every single year.
Now I wonder about combating this type of theft? Is there any dishwasher anti-theft stickers? Just slap one on each tray and even a plate and then install needed gates at doorways... Seems relatively simple and commodity solution.
Yep, but they're easily available from the cafeteria right when the blizzard hits. Right when other sledding equipment is likely to be sold out from stores (stores that don't sell commercial-grade trays, at any price..). Plastic sleds (especially the flexible rectangles with the single handle) are cheap in bulk - maybe stockpiling them on behalf of the would-be tray borrowers, could help?
