Campus Carry Reconvened Task Force Rule Change

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS CARRY RECONVENED TASK FORCE PRELIMINARY RULE CHANGE –  RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE VETTED AT PUBLIC FORUMS TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER 2017

After conducting a holistic review of the Texas State University rules, policies, and implementation of the Campus Carry law after the first-year of implementation, the reconvened Campus Carry Task Force makes the following two recommendations:

(1) RECOMMENDS A RULE CHANGE TO ADD THE FOLLOWING GUN-FREE LOCATION:

  • The Task Force recommends that Premises Used to Administer Test Where Accreditation Standards Require the Test to be Administered in a Gun-Free Location be established as a designated gun-free location during the time that such a test is being administered and suggested the following notice protocol be used:
    • Place temporary signage at the location the test will be administered immediately prior to and during the administration of the test;
    • Place notice on the Testing Center website and calendar regarding the tests that will be administered in a gun-free testing environment consistent with the applicable accreditation standards; and
    • Have the Test Administrator provide a written handout available at the Testing Center listing the tests that will be administered in a gun-free testing environment consistent with the applicable accreditation standards.

(2) DOES NOT RECOMMEND A RULE CHANGE REGARDING PRIVATE STAFF AND FACULTY OFFICES:

  • The Task Force, after much discussion, debate, and data analysis determined that it would NOT approve the proposed rule change that would allow a “sole occupant staff or faculty office, located in a non-suite arrangement, to be a designated gun-free location at the option of the office occupant” for the following reasons:
    • It would not be equitable to allow faculty and staff that, due to status, how offices are arranged in a particular building, or other historical artifact, have this designation option and others not have this option, especially when the majority of employees work in shared offices or in an office located in a suite arrangement;
    • It would create an unnecessary burden for students, faculty, staff, and guests that desire to carry a concealed handgun and also desire to interact in multiple campus locations during the time period they are on a campus since (a) no university storage facility is available and (b) other alternatives currently exist for employees that desire to interact with others outside a sole-occupant office such as, a faculty member may create contact hours outside of class, an advising staff member may provide virtual advising sessions, and meetings may be held in a designated gun-free location;
    • It would create additional confusion concerning areas on campus that are and are not designated gun-free locations; and
    • Although precedent exists at other Texas universities, the “sole occupant office” gun-free location carve out has not been subjected to legal scrutiny through the court system.