Iowa State is suggesting an amendment to the Iowa Administrative Code to educate students and staff of expectations and stiffer consequences during riots and other group disturbances.

“The university will, indeed, apply very tough disciplinary action and sanctions against any member of the university community who participates in, or abets, a riot or disturbance,” ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said during a news conference Wednesday morning.

The code is the governing document of Iowa’s three regent universities. Paul Tanaka, university counsel, said the proposed amendment would clearly outline expectations for the conduct of university students and staff.

He said each regent school would use its own judiciary procedures when prosecuting violators of the conduct code.

Tanaka said the proposed amendment, while in reaction to the Veishea riot last April, is intended to reflect the recent increase of disturbances on college campuses nationwide.

“The instances of these disturbances is quite frightening,” Tanaka said.

He said there is widespread agreement that students present at the riot felt they were unaware they had to disperse from the scene.

If adopted, the amendment will specifically inform those at the regent universities that rioting, unlawful assembly and failure to disperse are all violations of the university code of conduct, Tanaka said.

The amendment would carry stricter penalties for university students and staff who are caught participating in riot-like behavior, including expulsion or dismissal instead of suspension.

A forum is planned for May 6 in Lagomarcino Hall room N147 to gain student feedback on the proposed changes. It will be networked live with the other regent universities.

“It is fairly typical to hold a public hearing so the public can provide input on the proposal,” Tanaka said.

The scheduled date of the meeting will fall on the last day of spring finals, which is an issue, Tanaka said.

He said students who have questions or concerns regarding the proposed amendment may also contact him via e-mail.

“We are concerned about the date of the hearing, and the regents are concerned about that,” Tanaka said.

Tony Borich, 2004 Task Force on Assuring Successful Veishea and Other Student/Community Celebrations member, said he strongly discourages the timing of the proposed meeting.

Borich said he supports the university judicial system’s actions following the riots, and said the decision to expel students found guilty of rioting was fair.

“It is hard for me to support someone knocking down light posts and breaking the windows of Copyworks,” Borich said.

Bethany Schuttinga, director of judicial affairs, said the amendment could act as a deterrent against future riots.

“The proposed changes make it clearer for students and the university community to understand the expectations related to disturbances or riot-related behavior,” Schuttinga said.

“It would be my hope that students consider consequences for behavior related to these types of events. Students should expect that if they take part in illegal activity or involve themselves in riots that they will face disciplinary action, including expulsion from the university.”

Loras Jaeger, Ames police chief, said he hopes the amendment, if approved, would educate students and staff about their rights during riots and other disturbances.

He said he admits, however, that the Ames police did not do enough to inform individuals to disperse. He said the department has purchased more public address equipment and educated officers about informing people to disperse.

“We don’t want to go through this again,” he said. “Nothing good comes from a riot.”