The Department of Residence has teamed up with the ISU police department to create a police presence in the dorms.

A police officer is assigned to each residence hall as part of the new officer liaison program. Capt. Gene Deisinger said the program is an attempt to restore a good relationship between ISU students and the ISU police.

The officer liaison program should create greater visibility in the residence halls, even when officers are not taking action, Deisinger said. The officers will be visible so that students begin to see the police department as a “friendly face” on campus.

Drew Larson, president of the Inter-Residence Hall Association, said he doesn’t agree with the program’s implementation.

“I think it’s a terrible idea,” he said. “This is my home, and I don’t want a police officer wandering around it. I expect non-intrusion from the state in the residence halls.”

Larson said he feels safe in the residence halls.

“Other than someone maybe getting some CDs stolen, I’ve never heard of assaults or serious problems,” he said. “Hall directors are around a lot, and we are fortunate to have a great staff in the halls.”

Deisinger said officers will only walk through the common areas of the halls and will not be going into student rooms or other private areas.

Police officers began attending house meetings and are working with the hall directors to find how often each officer is needed.

Mimi Benjamin, coordinator of residence life for the residence department, said the primary change in security in the residence halls has been locking the exterior doors.

According to Daily staff reports, the decision to lock exterior doors was made in January 2003 to protect the safety of students.

But security patrols in the dorms are not entirely new.

Several years ago, student security patrolled the residence halls and the surrounding areas, Benjamin said. The program was cut because there weren’t enough things for them to address.

Heidi Germann, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communication, said that the program is a good idea and that she feels safer with an officer in the halls.

“Anyone can get into the dorms, and it’s nice to have the officer here,” she said.

Deisinger said the program should help residents and hall staff with security and safety issues. But, he said, the program is not a substitute for the police’s general dispatch. Deisinger said the liaison officer will typically follow up on any incidents, but students should not call the liaison when that person is off duty.

Deisinger said because each officer only visits his or her assigned hall while on duty, and because the officers are not working any additional hours during the week, the program will cost ISU Police very little. A small amount of money has been spent on signs in the residence halls to inform students of the program and to provide the liaison’s contact information.

“No matter what, the intention of this is positive,” Deisinger said. “The bulk of our officers are Iowa State graduates. They value the ISU community. They are not wanting to create an uncomfortable or intrusive environment.”