The University of Iowa faculty senate’s recommendation to arm campus Department of Public Safety officers with stun guns has elicited mixed reactions from regent university student-government leaders.

Nick Klenske, president of the University of Iowa Student Government, said arming officers with stun guns could increase security on campus.

“We took a vote at our last assembly meeting, and it passed,” Klenske said. “They feel that it will help to protect the officers, but also feel that it could put the students at more risk.”

A main factor in approving stun guns for the UISG is that public safety officers don’t feel safe, Klenske said.

“Public safety has had a lot of officers leave the department because they felt unsafe,” he said.

Andy Tofilon, ISU Government of the Student Body president, said arming officers with stun guns is just the beginning.

“I know there is a need for them,” he said. “Officers go into dangerous situations, and all they are armed with are mace and nightsticks. Stun guns should be the bare minimum of what officers should be armed with.”

Tofilon said arming officers could be taken further on campus.

“DPS is one of the best-trained departments in the country,” he said. “Our officers are highly-trained officers and one of the most educated forces in the country.”

Tofilon said he believes people have many concerns when it comes to armed safety officials.

“Everybody always has a concern about police forces and being trigger-happy,” he said. “People just have to realize how well officers are trained. Using lethal force is one of the last things officers will do.”

Kelley Greiner, vice president of the student body at the University of Northern Iowa, said she really doesn’t see the need for stun guns on campus.

“I don’t really want to see them on campus, but if it helps to protect the officers, then it should be done,” she said.

The University of Iowa faculty senate’s recommendation to arm campus Department of Public Safety officers with stun guns has elicited mixed reactions from regent university student-government leaders.

Nick Klenske, president of the University of Iowa Student Government, said arming officers with stun guns could increase security on campus.

“We took a vote at our last assembly meeting, and it passed,” Klenske said. “They feel that it will help to protect the officers, but also feel that it could put the students at more risk.”

A main factor in approving stun guns for the UISG is that public safety officers don’t feel safe, Klenske said.

“Public safety has had a lot of officers leave the department because they felt unsafe,” he said.

Andy Tofilon, ISU Government of the Student Body president, said arming officers with stun guns is just the beginning.

“I know there is a need for them,” he said. “Officers go into dangerous situations, and all they are armed with are mace and nightsticks. Stun guns should be the bare minimum of what officers should be armed with.”

Tofilon said arming officers could be taken further on campus.

“DPS is one of the best-trained departments in the country,” he said. “Our officers are highly-trained officers and one of the most educated forces in the country.”

Tofilon said he believes people have many concerns when it comes to armed safety officials.

“Everybody always has a concern about police forces and being trigger-happy,” he said. “People just have to realize how well officers are trained. Using lethal force is one of the last things officers will do.”

Kelley Greiner, vice president of the student body at the University of Northern Iowa, said she really doesn’t see the need for stun guns on campus.

“I don’t really want to see them on campus, but if it helps to protect the officers, then it should be done,” she said.