The Syracuse University Senators voted Wednesday to support the plan to raise Public Safety officers’ status to peace officers.

At the Senate meeting, proponents and opponents debated the move before making the vote for the shift in status.

‘I’m very happy that the Senate showed it felt confident in what we’re dealing with,’ said Marlene Hall, director of the Department of Public Safety. ‘Now we have to work to show we deserve that trust.’

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw will finalize his decision sometime early next week, Hall said.Supporters said the change will improve the campus environment, protect students and help reduce crime.

‘I’m happy about the decision,’ said Grant Williams, an officer of the Department of Public Safety. ‘For those who were against it, they’re entitled to their opinion. But I invite them to walk a mile in our shoes sometime.’

Several senators spoke against the move, raising their concerns about possible racial profiling, putting students in danger and the need for armed officers.

‘What incidents on this campus point to a need for this change?’ said Linda Alcoff, a senator and philosophy professor at SU. ‘It’s a kind of hysteria.’

Blaine de Lancey, a director in the office of student services in The College of Arts and Sciences, said Public Safety officers began carrying pepper spray in 1997 after concerns of growing dangers on campus, and he questioned the necessity of adding guns.

‘Guns are of course not the answer,’ said Thomas Maroney, a professor in the College of Law. ‘But this isn’t a bubble. This is the 21st century, and there are a lot of bad people out there. We’re in a different environment on campus.’

One senator made a motion to amend the proposal so that the officers would be moved to peace officer status but would not carry guns.

‘We should go on record as a non-armed campus,’ said Diane Murphy, a senator and women’s studies professor.

But after more discussion, the Senate voted against the amendment.

‘People watch too much TV,’ Maroney said. ‘People think the first response of an officer is to pull his weapon. But ask some cops, most of them go their whole career without firing it once.’

Jason Caine, chairman of the Senate Committee on Administrative Operations, said his committee only supported the change under three provisions: the peace officers should be managed and overlooked by the Department of Public Safety, should have jurisdiction to patrol specific areas, and should also be trained and qualified under strict standards.

The Department of Public Safety will perform background checks and conduct a lengthy interview process to determine which officers will become Peace Officers, Hall said. The selected officers will undergo the same training as Syracuse police officers.

‘I’m glad that we’re now able to look at some other ways to address issues that have been concerning students and other community members,’ Hall said.

Some senators worry that the shift will lead to more changes within the campus community.

‘I can’t believe this happened,’ said Susan Peck, a senior administrator in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. ‘The way it’s going, soon it’s going to infringe on protests, civil disobedience and even academic freedom. I am so fearful. When does it come into the classroom?’

Published on February 11, 2004 at 12:00 pm