Student input is being sought on two sets of proposed changes to university disciplinary regulations targeted at clarifying university penalties for rioting.

ISU administration is considering changes to the Student Disciplinary Regulations, in addition to a separate Board of Regents proposal to change personal conduct rules in the Iowa Administrative Code. Both sets of rule changes are designed to better address conduct requirements of student and university employees at off-campus events.

Students have the opportunity to comment on both proposed rule changes at a public hearing on April 21 in Pearson 1114 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Written comments can be e-mailed to Paul Tanaka, university counsel, or Susan Anderson, associate counsel for the Board of Regents.

Comments on the proposed change at the Board of Regents level can be made May 6 at a second public forum, which will be telecast to the three regent universities. The hearing, to be broadcast over the Iowa Communications Network, is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in north 147 Lagomarcino.

Tanaka said the April 21 forum will be held because low student turnout is expected May 6.

“We realize many students will have left campus and will be thinking about other things on May 6, which is the last day of the semester,” he said.

He said students should be aware of the conduct rules.

“I think it’s common sense, but the reason we put it out for comment was to make sure people look at it from different angles,” Tanaka said. “There’s always the possibility we haven’t thought of something and it might have unintended consequences.”

He said a study at Ohio State University, which had riots in 2001 and 2002, came to similar conclusions.

“The recommendation there was that students should be reprised of their obligation not to engage in conduct that could result in mass violence,” Tanaka said.

Anderson said the Board of Regents will consider comments made at the forums at its June meeting, although there will be no opportunity for further comments at that point.

“At this point, the information will most likely be coming to the board through the summary at the board office,” she said.

Tanaka said a team of representatives from several offices would consider the rule changes at Iowa State. Final approval for the ISU changes will come from ISU President Gregory Geoffroy.

Both sets of rule changes are planned to go into effect next fall, Tanaka said.

Anderson said the rules are a clarification of already implemented rules and laws related to riots and unlawful assemblies.

“It basically incorporates the laws already out there and clarifies that they apply on campus and at other university events,” Anderson said.

Tony Borich, Government of the Student Body College of Design senator, said although the changes may not be effective, they could be beneficial by educating students about the consequences of rioting.

“I hope that in considering these changes, they look at whether they’re effective at preventing rioting,” he said.

“I’m not sure they’re effective one way or the other, but it’s a statement from the university that this kind of conduct won’t be tolerated.”