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TTU System Components Develop Campus Carry Policies

Senate Bill 1, which goes into effect August 1, was passed during the 84th Texas Legislature allowing the concealed carry of handguns by licensed permit holders in the premises of public university campuses in the State of Texas.

March 30, 2016 | Written by Dailey Fuller 

Leadership at the four component universities of the Texas Tech University System – Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso – today (March 30) shared policies developed at their respective campuses in preparation for the implementation of Senate Bill 11. 

Widely known as the campus carry legislation, Senate Bill 11 was passed during the 84th Texas Legislature allowing the concealed carry of handguns by licensed permit holders in the premises of public university campuses in the State of Texas. The law goes into effect August 1, 2016. 

“The policies presented by our universities reflect many months of diligent work to develop rules and guidelines that consider the unique programs, facilities and operations on our campuses and comply with the law,” said Chancellor Robert Duncan. “This has been a widely debated topic throughout higher education, and I appreciate our universities, working groups and campus communities for their efforts in ensuring a pragmatic approach to an important matter.” 

Drafted in coordination with the Office of General Counsel at the Texas Tech University System, these policies come after months of discussion and deliberation to comply with the requirements of Texas Government Code Section 411.2031 (Carrying of Handguns by License Holders on Certain Campuses). 

Each university formed a committee comprised of representatives from various campus constituencies to receive input, share perspectives and provide recommendations to help develop the rules and regulations for its campus. Multiple forums were held and surveys were conducted to attain feedback from students, faculty and staff. 

As required by the statute, the Board of Regents is expected to review the proposed policies at a called meeting in April. To review the campus carry policies proposed for the four component universities, visit the following links:

Employees and offices of the Texas Tech University System administration working on component campuses will follow the policy implemented by the respective university. Personnel and departments not located on component campuses will adhere to the Texas Tech University policy, in accordance with Regents’ Rules 2.02.

The operating policies will go into effect August 1, 2016. Open carry of firearms, per state law, will continue to be prohibited on campus.

For more information on Texas Government Code Section 411.2031, visit http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/htm/GV.411.htm. More information on campus carry at Texas Tech University can be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/CampusCarry/

About the Texas Tech University System 
The Texas Tech University System is one of the top public university systems in Texas and the nation, consisting of four component institutions – Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso – and operating at more than a dozen academic sites and centers.  Headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the TTU System has an annual operating budget of nearly $2 billion and approximately 19,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach.  

In 2015, the TTU System’s endowment exceeded $1.1 billion, total research expenditures were more than $215 million and total enrollment was approximately 50,000 students. Whether it’s contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in Texas to house an academic institution, law school and health-related institution at the same location, the TTU System continues to prove that anything is possible.