UTSA forms task force to develop university-wide campus carry policy

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(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.

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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.

 

 

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