Campus Carry Work Group requests input for guns on campus policy

Despite concerns by many students, faculty and staff, UHCL is preparing for the campus carry law scheduled to take effect next August by creating a campus carry work group to determine policy recommendations for handguns on campus.

Licensed students, faculty and staff will be allowed to carry concealed firearms onto the campuses of Texas state universities starting Aug. 1, 2016. Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill No. 11 (S.B. 11 ) June 13, 2015, which is also known as the “campus carry” law. After the new law goes into effect, persons with a state mandated concealed handgun license (CHL) will be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus so long as the area has not been designated as a weapons-free zone.

Texas Legislature also made revisions to the Penal Code to allow license holders to openly carry a holstered handgun in the state of Texas anywhere they are allowed to carry concealed handgun with a few exceptions –notable exceptions include colleges and universities –starting January 1, 2016. While a licensed holder can visibly carry their handgun in a belt holster at the waist or shoulder-holster under the “open carry” law, S.B.11 “campus carry” states license holders have the right to carry handguns in a concealed manner on state university campuses.

“Open carry” will still be prohibited on UHCL campus and any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk, or walkway, parking lot, parking garage or other parking area of the university.  Students with concealed handgun licenses can continue to store their guns in the glove boxes of their cars.

The Campus Carry Work Group is responsible for developing a campus carry policy that is compliant with the new campus carry law. As stated in an email by President William Staples, “While the university president may not generally prohibit license holders from carrying concealed weapons on the campus, the law gives public universities some discretion on regulate campus carry including designating certain areas on campus where concealed handguns are prohibited. The law authorizes the university to adopt and receive approval of its campus carry policy from the University of Houston System Board of Regents by August 1, 2016.”

The work group is comprised of representatives from various departments and groups from around the campus, which includes President Staples, Interim Chief of UHCL Police Allen Hill and Associate Professor of Psychology and President of the Faculty Senate Chris Ward. The goal of the work group is to address the safety and welfare of university students and the campus community that is based on input from campus constituents.

“We are still in a very early stage of deciding how many and where the designated areas [are], which is why a campus carry work group was created,” said President Staples. “They will be meeting to develop a campus carry policy that is compliant with the campus carry law.”

The work group will make recommendations in considering where concealed handguns should and should not be allowed on campus. Size, purpose and safety concerns related to each building and facility owned by the university are being taken into account. In addition, student body population and the the campus environment, as well as responses to a survey made available to the university community, will help determine these exception zones.

“Generally, the faculty is not supportive of the new law,” Chris Ward said. “Both the Faculty Senate and the Council of Professors have passed resolutions stating this. However, it is now law and we are focused on following the law to ‘establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on the campus of the  institution  or  on  premises  located  on  the  campus  of  the institution’ (SB 11 Section 1(d-1)).”

Another concern voiced by the faculty members is the possibility of students taking matters into their own hands by intervening in situations that would normally require the response of campus police.

“Many professors have expressed their concern about how this law will change the culture of [the] university,” Ward said. “For instance, campus police will now have to approach all students as if they have a handgun which will necessitate a change in their behavior toward students.”

“No handguns allowed” signs must be displayed in conspicuous areas visible to the public that do not allow handguns as a requirement of S.B.11.

“The law requires signs to be up identifying areas where guns cannot be carried,” said Allen Hill,    UHCL interim chief of police. “The law is specific on how the sign should look with contrasting colors and size of the lettering. There will not be signs up telling you where you can carry.”

To voice an opinion about policy regulations concerning the campus carry law at UHCL, complete the Campus Carry Online Survey by the Nov. 25 deadline. Frequently Asked Questions regarding the campus carry law is available for anyone seeking more information.

“UHCL takes this issue very seriously,”  President Staples said. “The Campus Carry Work Group includes students, staff, faculty and administrators as well as a member of the UH System General Counsel and we will work to develop a policy that not only protects the rights of citizens but also one that addresses the safety and security of all who study and work at the university.”