Students give input on arming police; Issue to be taken up by WSC trustees.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Jacqueline Reis

WORCESTER - Worcester State College officials are getting an earful from students about whether to arm campus police, but the students aren't speaking with one voice.

At a meeting with the student government association last week, many students started out undecided on the issue but were convinced that arming the 16-officer police force was necessary, said student body president Tracy Pilch.

Yesterday, on the other hand, college President Janelle C. Ashley and Worcester State College Police Chief Rosemary F. Naughton held a forum for students in general. About 40 showed up, and most spoke against the idea.

"Why do we need to change what's working?" Amanda S. Couture of Spencer said to applause.

Another student asked how many times the campus police have used pepper spray in the seven years Chief Naughton has been on campus. Zero times, she told him.

"Then why do you need guns?" he and others asked.

Those in opposition said they would feel less safe with armed police, worried that arming officers would make campus criminals more likely to be armed, or were philosophically opposed to the idea, saying the campus should direct its energy at ways to prevent incidents when a gun might be needed.

"Why are we not sitting here talking about what we can do to bring peace" to the campus, asked Christopher J. Hoey of Holden.

Those who support the idea, including Ms. Pilch, said it just makes sense to be prepared. "I have AAA on my car. I've never had to use it," she said. "It's just there just in case."

It is up to the...