UTSA forms task force to develop university-wide campus carry policy
(Sept. 9, 2015) — President Ricardo Romo has appointed a task force comprised of faculty, staff and students to establish a university-wide policy to implement the state's new campus carry law. Vice President for Business Affairs Kathryn Funk-Baxter has been appointed chair of the task force.
Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott this summer, Senate Bill 11 allows those with a concealed handgun license to carry a handgun while on Texas public university campuses as long as the weapon is not visible. License holders must be 21 years old (with the exception of active duty military and police officers), meet federal qualifications to own a gun and receive training from an instructor certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The law allowing concealed carry on university campuses goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2016. Between now and then, universities will explore specific rules, regulations and procedures related to campus carry and develop policies that could include items such as identifying potential gun-free zones, creating appropriate signage, determining if and where lock-boxes or storage units should be installed, and conducting public education programs.
The UTSA task force will work vigorously with the UTSA community, UT System and other UT System institutions to develop protocols that balance adherence to the law with the safety of the campus community. Throughout September and October, the task force will hold several campus listening sessions, with forum times and locations, and other updates, posted at www.utsa.edu/campuscarry.
Along with Funk-Baxter, the UTSA campus carry task force is comprised of:
Steve Barrera, UTSA police chief, task force vice chair
Dan Pena, assistant police chief
Gail Jensen, chief legal officer
Joe Izbrand, chief communications officer
Albert Carrisalez, assistant to the president and executive director of governmental relations
Kevin Price, senior associate vice president and dean of students
Mickey Stevenson, assistant vice president for research integrity
David Diaz, director for employee relations
Annie Maynes, administrative associate II (Staff Council representative)
Amanda Marin, administrative services officer II (Staff Council representative)
Karen Daas, associate professor, Faculty Senate president
Robert Tillyer, associate professor and assistant department chair (Faculty Senate representative)
Ileana Gonzalez, Student Government Association president
Marcus Thomas, Student Government Association student senator
William Trynoski, Student Government Association student affairs co-chair
Jeff Schilder, Student Government Association chief of staff
UT System Chancellor William McRaven has set deadlines to ensure that UT system institutions present, finalize and approve recommendations in advance of the campus carry bill’s Aug. 1, 2016 effective date. The task force's consensus recommendation regarding gun-free zones at all campuses is due by Nov. 1. Preliminary campus plans are due to the UT System by Dec. 4 for review. Final plans are due by Dec. 18 for review by the Board of Regents on Feb. 10.
Campuses will begin plan implementation in February and all new signage, physical facilities such as storage lockers and acquisition of required elements should be complete by July 1.
The campus carry bill -- Senate Bill 11 -- was one of two much-discussed pieces of gun legislation passed during this year’s legislative session. The other legislation, House Bill 910, becomes effective Jan. 1, 2016 and makes it legal for handguns to be carried in plain sight. However, that bill, widely known as open carry, excludes universities.
-----------------------------
Learn more about UTSA's campus carry task force at www.utsa.edu/campuscarry.
Read Senate Bill 11.
Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Events
Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.