A background check of Kenton Drew Astin, 39, might have given University of Colorado officials pause before hiring him to work at the University Memorial Center. A check would have shown that he was accused of stabbing a 21-year-old man in Longmont before some 20 onlookers in 2001 and that he was later found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of first-degree attempted murder, assault and felony menacing.

Astin, who was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a CU freshman on Monday, no longer works at the university, but that he did is cause for concern.

CU leaders rightly will require a background check on all future hires and university officials will “continue to do background checks on a number of existing employees,” according to a press release.

Criminal background checks for violent and sexually exploitative behavior are commonly required for people who work with children, firefighters, police officers and others types of employment. There is no reason the university couldn’t systematically check the backgrounds of all of its existing employees in addition to all the new hires.

People who have been convicted of violent crimes or who were legally not responsible for committing crimes because of a mental illness deserve another chance at life after they have been rehabilitated. Nevertheless, some jobs should be off limits to those who have struggled with violent behavior and mental illness. Working at a university — in close proximity to teens newly away from home and parental supervision — should be on that list.