KCCI.com, IA
09-13-07
University Presidents Support Arming Campus Officers
Students, Faculty React To Decision
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Presidents of all three public universities in Iowa
recommended arming campus police.
Arming officers has been the hot topic. "We want, not only for the officers to
protect themselves, but also for them to protect members of the community in a
broader range of situations," said Gene Deisinger of Iowa State University
police.
Last week, Dr. Sedahlia Crase led a passionate debate among faculty. "It
seemed that everyone had a very good reason for whatever position they were
taking," Crase said. "The argument was that these are law enforcement officers
and that it would be assumed that they would be carrying arms."
ISU student President Brian Phillips moderated a similar discussion.
"The opposition argument was that this is an institution of higher learning. This
should be a place where it's a safe haven away from firearms," he said.
Both groups sided with sidearms.
"It was very clear that there was an overwhelming majority that supported this,"
Phillips said.
A survey said that 61 percent of students supported it. The debate started last
spring. "After Virginia Tech, there was probably a concern about safety," Crase
said.
Next week, the topic heads to the Iowa Board of Regents.
The regents vote next Tuesday affects all three state universities. Iowa State's 31
officers have already been trained on firearms and say they're ready.
But if the on-campus debates are any indication, the regents' discussion could be
spirited, too.
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