Campus police lobby for arms; Student Senate debates transfer of $2K COO stipend

02/05/09 - The allotting of firearms into the hands of campus police has been a controversial topic at the University of Rhode Island for years.This issue was revisited last night when Maj. Stephen Baker of the campus police asked the URI Student Senate and student body to attend upcoming forums to voice their opinions about the subject.

Baker, along with URI police officer Mark Chearino, explained the history of the topic, while adding their points of view as members of the campus police.

The commission to arm campus officers was formed in 2001 with permission from the Rhode Island State House. The commission included professor Leo Carroll, Chearino and Baker. As of last summer, the commission proposed a bill to the state legislature. According to Baker, the State House already has the authority to arm campus police and a bill doesn't need to be passed. However, the legislature wanted to form a committee to take another look at arming campus police, not only at URI but at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College as well.

The Rhode Island Board of Governors formed a committee. Presidents from each university appointed members of the committee.

From URI, Carroll and Baker were appointed. The committee also included Rhode Island State Police Lt. James Manny, and a representative from the attorney general's office.

The goal of this committee was "to see if anything had changed since 2001, when the last study was done," Baker said, "and at some point to make a recommendation to the Board of Governors if we feel that the university police at all three institutions should be armed."

The committee will be holding public forums at each college as part of the study. The first of the four scheduled forums was held at RIC yesterday. Baker said about 15 people attended this forum.

"I think and I hope URI will be better represented when we come here," Baker said. Baker and Chearino stressed that the students should make their feelings known so they can make the best decision for all three campuses.

Senator Anthony Sinapi asked the officers what the current protocol was for campus police if there was a disturbance that involved a weapon. According to Baker, police are instructed to contact South Kingstown Police Department. Baker and Chearino said it wasn't right for the university to be dependent on the South Kingstown Police Department, saying the campus police wanted the best response time possible.

Senators Allen Petit, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Mike Gorman asked questions about cost and specific incidents that might warrant the use of a firearm while on duty.

"Our officers do everything a municipal police officer does, and then some," Baker responded. "They are going to be targets."

He said if the state is going to arm campus police, they will go through the full training, storage and buying of the actual firearms, though he did not know the exact cost.

In other news, the senate also fell into debate about the transfer of $2,000 into a fund that pays for election advertising.

The money was a surplus in the stipend fund after the senate took away the position of Chief Operations Officer in October of 2008.

This is the second time the bill has been on the table. Leading the opposition was senator Mike Gorman, who is also a member of the finance committee. Gorman called it " a gross waste of money."

Petit explained to the senate if this bill does not pass, the money would just sit in the stipend fund, untouched until next year.

President Tom Ahrens agreed with Petit's stance about the use of the money.

"Let's use this money right now for what we need it for," Ahrens said.

Gorman was the only senator who outwardly opposed this bill both times it was put on the table.

"We pride ourselves on being fiscally responsible," Gorman said. "I just thought it was absolutely absurd."

Gorman said there were better uses for the money, including more co-sponsorships and concerts. "I just thought it was an atrocious lack of judgment on everybody's part," he said.

As for the reasons for the lack of opposition to the bill, Gorman gave two: members of the senate weren't informed enough on the issue and that some people believe that it is important to advertise for the elections.

Every year, a certain amount of money is budgeted for advertising. This academic year, the senate started with about $3,000 for elections advertising. According to Petit, the money for that budget for this semester ran low.

"Things should have been better budgeted last year," Petit said. "You can't anticipate everything."

In other news:

The URI Robotics Club was granted just more than $1,200 to buy updated robot kits. This is in anticipation to go to a national competition.

The Outing Club was granted $1,200 to continue its mission and hold an on-campus event.