An additional $1,000 will be added to a $1,200 reward for information leading to the arrests of the individuals who assaulted black student security officer Deantrious Mitchell.

A $1,000 reward was first established earlier this week by the university. The Union Drive Association then added $200.

Last night at the Government of the Student Body meeting, senators approved a bill, upping the total reward to $2,200 for information leading to the arrest of the individuals who beat and cut the ISU student.

Senators said the purpose of the proposed emergency legislation was not only to assist in the apprehension and conviction of the assailants, but also because “it is important to the university community that all students feel welcome and safe.”

GSB President Adam Gold encouraged the Senate not to “quibble over numbers, to be united on this and send a clear message to everyone on this.”

The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Trish Sandahl, graduate, was a combined effort. The bill was signed by 13 senators and Gold.

It was passed by unanimous consent.

The bill originally called for a $500 reward addition from GSB. That was Gold’s suggestion.

“About the $500 figure, this is the amount I had in mind. But Gold is the one who suggested it,” Sandahl said.

The bill was amended to $1,000 by Milton McGriff, non-traditional.

Sandahl said the reason for the bill was to help the investigation. “Rewards do help bring in information to solve crimes,” she said. “As long as people who committed the attacks are on the loose, the entire university community is in danger.”

Sandahl said she does not view the crime as racial. “I personally don’t view this as a racial crime, but as an assault against authority and we cannot tolerate it.”

Not everyone agreed. “I have yet to hear anyone disagree that this was a racially based crime,” said Veronique Cantrell-Avloes, off campus. “This is erroneous and ridiculous.”