Inside Iowa State

Aug. 9, 2007

Council opens academic year with gun issue

by Erin Rosacker

In its first meeting of the academic year Aug. 3, members of the Professional and Scientific Council considered a resolution to endorse arming certified police officers at the three Board of Regents universities.

Earlier this month, president Gregory Geoffroy asked for input from the P&S Council, Faculty Senate and Government of the Student Body on the recommendation from the vice presidents and directors of public safety at the three universities. Members of the university community are encouraged to submit comments by e-mailing president@iastate.edu by Sept. 15. (see related story)

The council resolution did not generate much debate, but a suggestion to coordinate an open forum - with public safety director Jerry Stewart and vice president for business and finance Warren Madden - to field questions from the campus community is being considered.

"If the constituents here have questions about some things, it might be proactive to open it up to the rest of campus," said Mike Hamilton, a systems analyst for FP&M. "At least we'll give them the opportunity to have input."

Council members will vote on the resolution at their Sept. 6 meeting.

Employee background checks considered

Geoffroy also has formed a campus work group to explore the issue of criminal background checks as part of the university's hiring process. Lynne Mumm, P&S Council president-elect and a member of the group, reported that the group is conducting focus groups and researching questions surrounding the issue itself: Should background checks be done? Who should be checked? Who is funding the process? Should there be a policy in place? A recommendation from the group is due to Geoffroy in early October.

Survey results online

The final report from last spring's P&S employee survey is available online at www.pscouncil.iastate.edu/documents/PandSSurvey2007.pdf. The survey drew a response rate of 52 percent of the 2,481 staff contacted electronically.

Strong majorities of at least 70 percent agreed that they:

• Work additional hours to complete their work (96 percent)
• Are agreeable to occasionally working additional hours (87 percent)
• Work in a family-friendly unit (79 percent)
• Are treated fairly by their supervisor (78 percent)
• Are satisfied with their medical (90 percent), dental (80 percent) and prescription drug (72 percent) benefits.

On the flip side, relatively small percentages agreed that they were likely to work additional hours on a regular basis (30 percent); that the classification system is fair, equitable and allows for advancement (23 percent); and they are fairly compensated in comparison to others in similar positions at ISU (29 percent).

The P&S Council is considering sponsoring a campus forum on arming campus police officers so the university community can learn more about the issue. President Gregory Geoffroy is asking for comments on an arming proposal by Sept. 15.

Related story

Geoffroy seeks comments on proposal to arm university police