NIC explores options, effects of new guns on campus law

Campus administrators are struggling to find effective ways to alter existing policy in light of the new law passed by legislature allowing guns on campus.

Under the law as it was passed, beginning on July 1 any person with an enhanced concealed carry permit will be allowed to have a gun on campus, whether student, faculty member or security personnel.

Alex Harris, director of student development said that while the existing policy can be modified, bigger questions remain about how security will adjust.

“I’d say on a whole security would rather this not happen, but now it has happened there will be a lot of work and ongoing work to address the perceived and real issues that come out of this,” Harris said. “We’re waiting on a lot of answers.”

Answers to important questions, Harris said.

Currently, NIC is in the process of cutting 2.2 million dollars from it’s budget, but updated training for campus security may cost as much as a half million dollars.

“You’re really going in the opposite direction of what we’ve prepared for,” said Graydon Stanley, vice president for student services said.

Stanley said the state is not expected to help bridge the gaps.

Another concern is whether or not to arm campus security.

Currently, Idaho state law prevents a college or university from swearing in officers unless they belong to the state, an additional cost.

“If we chose to arm officers without swearing them in we’d definitely be a rare bird,” Harris said.

Harris said he also worries about the subtler effects on campus life.

“It’s not necessarily whether its more safe or less safe, it’s the way it changes the environment. How does this change the difficult conversation of giving them a poor grade on a test, or a meeting in a room?” Harris said. “I think what this comes down to is how it changes the perception of safe.”

Stanley, for his part said he hopes things will stay the same.

“I think two years from now, unless there’s an incident, I don’t think there will be much to talk about, I think it will become the new normal,” Stanley said.