Regents Approve Measure to Arm Campus Police on Eve of Gang Lu Massacre Anniversary

After a 40-year prohibition on guns, the Iowa Board of Regents approved a measure that would require sworn police officers at Iowa’s public universities to carry firearms. The measure was part of a campus security plan that had been in the works for over a year and gained momentum after the Virginia Tech shooting rampage. The Regents met in Iowa City Wednesday to discuss the security plan before passing the proposal 6-2; the two dissenting votes were cast by Michael Gartner and Rose Vasquez.

“The board had the same argument 40 years ago and 20 years ago, and could have the same argue in 20 years from now,” Gartner said at the meeting, noting 80 percent of arrests are for drinking and drugs. “I don’t believe routine arming of campus police will have any impact on what the real problem is.”

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the Gang Lu Massacre on the UI campus in 1991, when Lu (see pic), a doctoral student in the physics program, shot five people to death and seriously wounded another, before shooting himself. The shootings took place in two different buildings located a block away from each other, and officials say that armed police could not have stopped the shootings.

“I am relieved,” said Regent Jenny Connolly, a student representative on the board. “For students, I don’t know if it will make them feel safer, but hopefully they will be more aware of the campus security policies. These officers are the same as officers you see in Grundy Center.”Chuck Green, the University of Iowa public safety director, echoed Connolly’s reaction. Green has been a longtime proponent of arming his officers. “I know that everyone probably doesn’t agree with this policy,” Green told the Press-Citizen during a break from the board meeting. “But I am glad it is resolved and happy with the outcome. One way or another I was looking for closure on this.”

The measure also drew support from Gov. Chet Culver, who commended the regents for adopting the plan. “As I have stated repeatedly, public safety is my top priority. I commend the regent presidents, public safety directors and the Board of Regents for taking this important step to increase the safety and security of our campuses,” Culver said in a prepared statement.

Prior to Wednesday’s vote, campus police officers were prohibited from carrying firearms on campus unless they received special permission from the university president. The board debated for about 15 minutes whether to require arming or to leave it to discretion of university presidents. “This is a significant enough policy decision that this should be made at the board level.” Regent David Miles said during the debate. “I don’t think this is something we want our institution heads focusing on. I think we should settle the matter and make a decision about it.”

Citing collaborative efforts, University of Iowa’s new President Sally Mason said she hopes the campus police can move forward with arming police in the next several weeks. “Because everyone has been fully involved, we’re prepared to move forward morequickly,” Mason said.

The policy also calls for an annual report to the board that addresses areas such as the status of safety and security, including mass communications capabilities, threat assessment and training of personnel.Moreover, the policy mandates that officials at the three Regents’ universities, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa:

–Implement a system for emergency communication, including outdoor warning systems and voice- and text-messaging systems.

–Implement protocols for early identification, assessment and management of people who may pose a threat to themselves or others.

–Require that campus police officers exceed state firearms training standards in terms of frequency and scope. Officers must requalify semiannually, demonstrating such things as weapons security, proficiency and safe handling techniques.