Kernel Editorial Board

Students using the Fine Arts Building recently have been singing the blues thanks to two separate break-ins in the last two weeks.

The impact of the break-ins has had a strong negative effect on students who leave their expensive instruments in the building. What was once considered a safe place has no such luxury now.

“I just feel like as a student, I have the right to not have that happen,” arts administration junior Eli Gross said of the break-ins in a Jan. 23 Kernel article.

Gross’ viola was stolen, only to be recovered later by UK Police.

But whether or not UK Police eventually recovered the stolen items is a moot point. No one should have been able sneak into the Fine Arts Building in the first place.

Gross told the Kernel only one door requires key card entry and that it would be easy for someone to find another unlocked door.

Normally, that problem wouldn’t be a concern before midnight. On a college campus, many students practice, study, etc. in buildings late at night. But when two incidents happen in such a short span of time, a change should be made.

Whether it means putting key card access on interior doors that are used as storage for the expensive items or increasing the patrols and security in and around the building, something should be done.

Students spend a lot of money on instruments, as well as time and effort. Protecting those instruments is the least UK can do to help students who want to fine tune their abilities.

While it’s great that so far no one has been hurt and physical damage has been minimal, UK must make sure the emotional damage doesn’t increase. Do whatever it takes to cut down on break-ins at the Fine Arts Building. Let more UK Police officers visibly patrol in order to alleviate students’ fears.

Campus safety has always been a priority and it needs to remain one. Therefore, it’s time for UK to publicly act to keep the Fine Arts Building safe.

There is really no other choice.