Krystal Geeson
Staff Writer
Select faculty, staff and students will now be permitted to bring concealed guns onto campus. Senate Bill 1254 was signed into law on March 12 by Idaho Governor Butch Otter.
The bill initially passed the Idaho House on March 6 with a 50-19 vote.
Some concerns for Idaho State University with the implementation of this law include finding a way to continue forward with the nuclear engineering program and research, and campus safety.
“The university has responsibility with the nuclear research facilities to ensure that they are safe and secure. We will continue to work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the [Department of Energy] to make sure our security measures are adequate given any changes with this law or changes in the type of research we may be doing moving forward,” said Adrienne King, director of Marketing and Communications at ISU.
All inquiries to President Arthur Vailas and faculty were directed to King.
ISU currently has measures in place to prevebt weapons from entering the research area, but it will have to continue to communicate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy to determine what updates will be needed to keep with security standards.
Further research that could be impacted includes ISU’s connection with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), primarily through the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES).
CAES provides a research and education partnership between ISU and the INL. With the changes enacted by this bill, when INL conducts research at CAES, it will now have to review the operations and make sure security measures are in place and comparable to those of an INL facility.
“If the new law allows guns within the CAES facility, that building would not have similar protections that are in place at INL or DOE research facilities,” said INL’s director of communications and governmental affairs, Amy Lientz, in a statement.
“Prior to work being conducted by an INL employee or on an INL project, INL would need to further evaluate, with ISU, mitigation that may need to be put in place to alleviate any concerns and adhere to established policy,” the statement continued.
ISU’s current security measures to protect the research area include search requirements to prevent weapons and contraband from entering the facilities.
With the passing of Senate Bill 1254, King said the university will have to determine what security measures will need to be modified.
Some students showed concern with the bill. However, the ISU student senate was in support.
“I support the [ASISU] Senate and they voted 17-2, and the two that voted non-affirmative abstained,” said ASISU President Matt Bloxham.
Only individuals over 21 years old with an enhanced concealed weapons permit will be allowed to carry firearms on campus, excluding dormitory halls and stadiums.
ISU will look at its current safety measures for the campus, not just the nuclear engineering program, to determine if they are adequate.
“The university is looking at a variety of options: one is training and equipping officers to increase security measures,” said King. “The university is working with local law enforcement to make determinations about what kind of additional training would need to be in place if we want to go in that direction.”
With ISU’s history of being one of the safest campuses in the country, it is devoted to providing a safe learning environment for students.
“In 2012, we were the fifth safest campus in the country. The university is committed to take whatever measures are necessary to make sure that that continues,” said King.
Additional security will be added to ISU’s public venues that host large crowds, including Holt Arena, Reed Gym and the Stephens Performing Arts Center. The amount of funding that goes into security and training throughout ISU will increase.
The law is scheduled to go into effect July 1 on all college campuses throughout the state of Idaho.
