According to a recent survey, 29.2 percent of students think ISU Police currently carry guns.

According to a Government of the Student Body survey, 61.3 percent of students agree with allowing ISU Police officers to carry firearms.

At next week’s GSB meeting, per President Gregory Geoffroy’s request, the senate will be voting on a resolution that would support arming campus officers.

Brian Phillips, GSB president and senior in political science, said a report compiled by the vice presidents and directors of public safety at the three Regent Universities recommended that “sworn and certified police officers employed on the campuses be authorized to carry firearms as standard equipment when serving as a police officer.”

According to the report, all police officers who serve as campus police go through the same training as any other police officer. Currently, officers can have firearms in situations of “extreme danger,” but must be authorized to do so.

Based on the information he has reviewed, the background of individuals that would be armed and the information from the report, Phillips said he would be in favor of arming ISU Police.

Bradley Anderson, GSB senator and senior in sociology, said although he has not looked at the results of the survey extensively, he is opposed to arming campus police.

“I honestly do not believe that guns have a place at an institution of higher learning,” he said. “I believe that guns on campus give people a feeling of insecurity.”

Anderson has talked to his constituents and other individuals informally and has concluded that feelings are fairly evenly mixed.

“I don’t feel that a half-and-half answer is justified to go the full measure to arm the police,” he said.

Phillips said a similar survey is being conducted at the University of Iowa and one has already been conducted at the University of Northern Iowa. This data will be compiled and presented to the Board of Regents.

Phillips said the issue has been discussed considerably and that most individuals have already decided how they will vote before they are surveyed.

“I think this helps some people form arguments,” he said. “It might hurt some other arguments.”

Although he is opposed to arming police, Anderson, who represents the Inter-Residence Hall Association constituency for GSB, said he would not let his feelings interfere with his vote.

“I will look at the statistics regarding the Inter-Residence Hall Association and the people who live on campus and how they feel; that is how I will vote,” he said.

Phillips said if the resolution does pass, secondary recommendations may accompany his response to Geoffroy.

“If, hypothetically, this resolution passes, there is obviously a portion of the campus community that is uncomfortable with DPS being armed,” he said. “We need to do everything within our power to ensure that safety is maintained and that students feel comfortable.”

Phillips said arming campus police has been discussed before.

“This shouldn’t necessarily be looked at as reaction to Virginia Tech,” he said.

Two forums will be held regarding the issue of arming campus police. One will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union. The second will be held at noon next Wednesday in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.