IOWA CITY – The Board of Regents unanimously passed a motion Wednesday to arm certified police officers at the three universities with air tasers.

Iowa State and the University of Iowa also will rename the public safety divisions to police divisions.

The board voted after recommendations from the university presidents and an in-depth explanation from U of I Vice President for the Department of Public Safety Charles Green.

“This will enhance the safety of the officers and those they are responding to and for,” he said.

Changing the name, he said, will reduce confusion regarding the authority of the officers.

“It seems every year we have mass confusion on what our authority is,” he said.

“These are certified police officers.”

Only state-certified police officers will be issued tasers. The officers are stunned with a taser as part of their certification, and they receive ongoing training, Green said.

At times, university officers are not considered “real” police officers, he said. “We are hoping to eliminate some of those confusing encounters.”

Green presented an Advanced M26 Air Taser to the board, explaining that the nonlethal weapon is not automatic, and the two prongs it shoots can work from a distance of up to 21 feet. The taser also can penetrate through two inches of clothing.

Several regents were vocally supportive of tasers, and Regent Clarkson Kelly of Charles City suggested the issuance of firearms.

“I think an armed guard with sidearms might save a student’s life,” Kelly said. “I strongly feel that our university guards should carry sidearms and tasers as a secondary weapon if desired.”

That opinion was not shared by the other regents.

Government of the Student Body President Andy Tofilon said the approval of tasers is a vote of confidence from the regents.

“We are extremely excited that DPS has been approved to carry tasers,” he said. “We believe the environment on campus will be safer, which is a major goal of this administration. Students should really appreciate the hard-working men and women of DPS.”

GSB Vice President Charlie Johnson said he was especially pleased with the name change decision.

“The name change is a very needed change in semantics,” he said. “The [DPS Police Division] will gain the respect needed to do their job.”

Detailed records will be kept regarding the use of tasers on each campus and incorporated into annual crime and safety reports presented to the board.

The board approved the renaming of Hawthorn Court to Charles F. Frederiksen Court, named for a former ISU Director of the Department of Residence.

The phase-one report on efficiency, revenue and effectiveness commissioned by the board and completed by MGT America was approved by the board. Phase one was an initial investigation into where increases in efficiency, effectiveness and outside revenue can occur.

Phase two, a more in-depth and specific look, will begin immediately.

The board initially approved a proposed $5-$9 million Memorial Union remodeling project. The board requested information on the Union’s finances, along with architectural proposals and construction bids.

The board approved the proposed construction of an indoor multi-use training facility. ISU Athletic Director Bruce Van de Velde said the building would encase the artificial turf near Jack Trice Stadium.

Approximately $9 million has been raised from private donations during more than two years of fund raising for building costs, Van de Velde said. Operation costs for the building, estimated at $100,000 per year, will be paid from Athletic Department revenues.

If the building’s construction is approved by the regents, students might find the Lied Recreation Center a bit roomier, Van de Velde said.

“Athletes and students have a hard time getting court time at the rec,” he said. “Many of the teams will not need to use the rec after the completion of the facility. That will open the rec up for other students.”

The facility could be used for events such as career fairs, the Iowa Games and Special Olympics, Van de Velde said.

The ISU revised facilities-use policy, which includes the free-speech zone restructuring, also was approved. Some restrictions remain, but free speech and demonstration are no longer restricted to the area in front of the Hub.

The regents are anticipating the Friday release of Gov. Tom Vilsack’s detailed budget, said Robert Barak, interim executive director of the Board of Regents. Regents are concerned about maintaining quality faculty in the face of increased faculty resignations.