CEDAR FALLS - Nearly two months after the Iowa Board of Regents approved arming sworn campus police, officers at the University of Northern Iowa are now carrying guns as part of their standard issue equipment.

Public Safety Director Dave Zarifis said the transition went off without much fanfare beginning with the third shift officers on Dec. 23.

"Other than the fact that we are carrying guns, very little has changed," Zarifis said. "It isn't this big change in what we are doing. We are doing everything we did before, but it is a little bit of a relief. I don't think the officers feel they are as vulnerable as they were in the past. Just being ready for the possibility of the call where a weapon is present is a little bit of a relief."

The Board of Regents voted 6-2 on Oct. 31 in favor of a comprehensive security plan that included arming campus police officers. The plan requires the universities to complete an annual governance report for the Board which addresses the status of safety and security, threat assessment, physical security capabilities and training of institutional personnel. The policy also requires each of the schools to implement a system for emergency communication, including an outdoor warning system and voice and text messaging.

Iowa State University officers began carrying weapons Nov. 12. University of Iowa officers followed suit almost a week and a half later.

UNI officials chose to take a slower approach to the process because the measure had been opposed by some campus groups. A Public Safety Advisory Committee - comprised of students, faculty and staff - was charged with reviewing the department's weapon policies to make sure they were in line with the guidelines set forth by the regents.

"President Allen wanted a thorough discussion based on the Board of Regent's requirements," Zarifis said. "Once the committee had determined that our policies fulfilled those requirements they recommended we begin arming our officers."

The department did not have to purchase any additional weapons. Each officer had already been assigned a gun for use in certain circumstances that were preapproved by university administrators.

Zarifis said he will be speaking to several university groups in the coming weeks, beginning with the Faculty Senate on Jan. 14. The Faculty Senate voted 11-3 against arming campus officers in August. The information was also included in UNI Online.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1570 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.