Gazette Online, IA
08-30-07
Mason seeks feedback on arming UI police
By Diane Heldt
The Gazette
diane.heldt@gazettecommunications.com
IOWA CITY - University of Iowa President Sally Mason wants feedback from UI
faculty, staff and students about the idea of arming campus police officers.
Mason and Presidents Gregory Geoffroy at Iowa State University and Ben
Allen at the University of Northern Iowa are reviewing a report and
recommendations that police officers at Iowa's three state universities carry guns
as standard equipment. The recommendation was submitted to the presidents by
the vice presidents and directors of public safety at the three universities.
The three presidents will make their recommendations to the state Board of
Regents on Sept. 18.
Mason is discussing the recommendations with campus leaders and will make
her decision over the next several weeks.
She has asked the UI Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Student Government to
review and respond to the report. Other UI faculty, staff and students can send
comments on the report by Sept. 10 to president@uiowa.edu
In response to last spring's shootings at Virginia Tech, the Iowa Legislature
asked the regents for a detailed study of campus safety and security measures,
including a review of arming campus police officers, by Oct. 15.