Additional security cameras and shorter building hours are among the possible solutions to the School of Music’s ongoing theft problem. The issue is currently being considered by the school’s administration and the Department of Public Safety.
SOM Dean Brad Foley and assistant dean Janet Stewart met with DPS last Friday to discuss SOM security weaknesses in light of the burglary earlier this month in which two suspects entered the school three separate times, allegedly stealing instruments valued at more $25,000 out of student lockers on the second floor.
DPS Interim Director Tom Hicks said he will be looking into the cost of access control, providing increased DPS visibility in the area, additional cameras and closing the building earlier in the evening. He said he would like to see changes implemented during summer term to test them out for fall.
After the March 30 burglary, students and six SOM graduate teaching fellows sent a letter with some
security suggestions to DPS and SOM administration. Stewart said their ideas and concerns were “most certainly taken into consideration.”
DPS and the SOM were already in the process of scheduling a meeting to discuss the building’s security when GTF Cody Forcier said the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation advised him to write a formal letter with the complaints.
Hicks said finding the money to pay for the changes is going to be difficult, but everything is still in the planning process, so he will look into funding after the costs are figured out.
SOM graduate student Derek Newell had said he was concerned about the lockers as well as the building’s easy access and limited security when his $20,000 cello was stolen using only a pair of bolt cutters.
Stewart said at this time, doing anything about the lockers would be very difficult without replacing them, so for now they are encouraging all SOM students storing instruments in the school “to get decent locks.”

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