Des Moines Register
10-27-07
Regents may permit naming rights
Board will also vote on allowing campus police to carry guns
By ERIN JORDAN
REGISTER IOWA CITY BUREAU
Iowa City, Ia. - Future students at Iowa's public universities could munch their
breakfast while attending class in Quaker Crunchberry Hall.
A policy to be considered by the Iowa Board of Regents next week would allow
corporate or product names for university buildings or departments. The names
of people, businesses or "in rare circumstances," products, would be fair game
for university facilities, properties or units, according to the proposal.
"I think I can live with that," Regent Jack Evans of Cedar Rapids said of the
proposed policy.
The changes come after last summer's controversy over naming rights to the
University of Iowa College of Public Health. The U of I considered renaming the
college after Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in exchange for a $15 million
gift from the company's foundation.
Public health faculty rejected the gift, saying it would hurt research funding to be
so closely linked with a health insurance company.
David Miles, regents president pro-tem, said at the board's September meeting
that he did not want the new naming policy to allow product names, but university
presidents said they wanted to keep their options open.
"We put the policy together based on what we heard as the direction of the
board," said Gary Steinke, the board's executive director.
The new policy would require the universities to examine potential conflicts of
interest with donors, the effect of the gifts on academic and research autonomy,
and the effect of the gift on the university's ability to get tax-exempt financing.
The regents could vote on the naming policy Wednesday if they agree to waive a
second reading, Steinke said. If board members want changes, the policy will
come back at a future meeting.
Another policy to be discussed - and possibly approved - Wednesday would
allow campus police to carry guns.
The provision approving firearms for certified police officers at the U of I, ISU and
UNI is part of a security policy that would include requirements that the
universities implement emergency communication systems, seek early
identification of people who may be a threat to themselves or campus, and
establish additional training programs for campus police.
"The requirements for carrying a weapon on the college campuses in Iowa will be
greater than anywhere else in the state," Steinke said.
Campus police have been prohibited from carrying guns on Iowa's public
university campuses for 40 years.
The type of guns and ammunition used by campus policy should be approved by
the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and the FBI, the policy states. A written
report would be required each time a weapon was fired outside of training.
Any officer who causes serious injury or death would be placed on administrative
leave, pending a review of the incident, the policy states. This is common
practice in law enforcement agencies and would pertain to officers who cause
serious injury or death with a gun, Taser, car or any other means, Steinke said.
If approved, the implementation timetable will depend on how soon the
universities could complete the requirements, such as increased training, Steinke
said.
Reporter Erin Jordan can be reached at (319) 351-6527 or ejordan@dmreg.com