Student Security officer Andy Zaugg sees a dilemma when he looks at recent cuts in Iowa State’s Student Security program..

“Any time you have cutbacks in any type of security, I think it’s a problem,” said Zaugg, senior in finance and accounting.

What he doesn’t see is the changes in security affecting the role the Department of Public Safety plays in the residence hall associations.

DPS officials seem to agree, seeing the cuts as an adjustment rather than a problem.

“I wouldn’t say that it’ll be a problem,” DPS Director Loras Jaeger said. “And it’s premature to say exactly how it will affect us. We’ll really have to wait a semester or so to see how things go.”

Due to budget cuts, officers will no longer patrol the three residence hall associations after 2:30 a.m. on the weekdays and 3:30 a.m. on weekends. In previous years, officers have been on duty seven nights a week until 6:30 a.m.

The number of Student Security officers also has seen a downturn, with just 12 officers currently working shifts.

Jaeger said he doesn’t think the cuts are as deep as they’ve been described.

“I’m not sure the number [12 officers] is accurate, but that’s a base to build from,” he said. “We were aware that the cuts were coming, and we’re aware of the current situation, so it’s not something that surprised us.”

Those who have firsthand experience with the Student Security program see the cuts having a larger impact on resident assistants and Student Security officers.

“We’re much more familiar with the residence buildings than DPS officials and others,” Zaugg said. “We know our way around, so when there’s a medical emergency or such, we can usher in ambulance crews more quickly and efficiently. With less officers patrolling the building, it’s going to take longer for those sorts of things to take place.”

DPS Lt. Isra Harahap agreed with Zaugg.

“The Student Security officers are relied on a lot when we need to get into the residence halls,” he said. “As a former Richardson Court Association officer, I know how much they’re called on. When you have less of them around, response times are going to increase, and that’ll take adjustment.”

While RAs and Student Security officers will see their burdens increased by the cuts, and DPS officials will need to adjust, the Ames Police Department should feel little or no impact.

“Our presence in the residence halls is basically nonexistent,” Chief of Police Dennis Ballantine said. “Unless there’s a weapon involved or something similarly as serious, we don’t get involved.”