President Gregory Geoffroy outlined the university’s plans to increase campus security Monday afternoon in the Sun Room in the Memorial Union, in response to the issue of arming ISU Police.

“We have almost finished implementing software for a mass communication warning system that will mass message the campus in case of an emergency,” Geoffroy said. “We are also working on voice-capable warning sirens.”

Geoffroy said he will make his recommendations to the regents regarding arming ISU Police by Wednesday.

Geoffroy summed up the changes he plans on making, saying “we should be proud of having a safe campus, but we cannot pretend that we are immune to such events like Virginia Tech.”

He mentioned what he felt the university did well last year.

“This last year was a very good year for the university,” Geoffroy said. “We’ve clearly established a leadership in biorenewables, we have more enrolled Iowa high school graduates than any school in the state and we’ve had a terrific year in private fundraising, raising more than $106 million.”

His then addressed the future of the university.

“We need to continue to focus on enhancing our academic excellence,” he said. “This year brought in the third-highest undergraduate class ever, but I want next year’s to be even bigger. In early November, we plan on hosting two presidential candidate forums.”

Finally, he said the university is continuing its focus on improving buildings across campus.

“All of our renovations projects are on schedule. Recently, the management contract with SMG [facility management company] covering Hilton Coliseum expired, and we are working to move that contract to the athletic department.”

After the address, the professors and faculty were called up to receive their plaques and to be honored by the few hundred people in attendance.

“This feels great, honestly,” said Jack Van Laar, county extension education director for the cooperative extension field program.

He was honored with the R.K. Bliss Extension Award, given to an ISU Extension staff member for developing an overall extension education program.

“I’ve been working for the university for 32 years, and this is my first award from the school. This is a little more prestigious than I’m used to,” Van Laar said.

After the last honoree was named, Dan Woodin, information systems leader for IT Services, closed the ceremony with his remarks.

“With leaders like these, Iowa State University provides an excellent opportunity for success, both for students and faculty,” Woodin said.