TTU System Board of Regents Reviews Campus Carry Policies
BOARD OF REGENTS
The Board of Regents is composed of nine members appointed by the governor, as well as a student regent.
Throughout the history of the TTU System, the board has been composed of distinguished and dedicated Texans who have been strong advocates of excellence in academic and patient care programs, meaningful scientific research and responsible public service.
Senate Bill 1 goes into effect August 1, allowing the concealed carry of handguns by licensed permit holders in the premises of public university campuses in the State of Texas.
April 18, 2016 | Written by Dailey Fuller
The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents convened for a special called meeting over teleconference Monday (April 18) to review policies developed in preparation for the implementation of Senate Bill 11, widely known as the campus carry legislation.
Chancellor Robert Duncan and the presidents of the four component universities – Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso – presented the policies formalized 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).
“The policies developed by our universities reflect many months of diligent work to design rules and guidelines that consider the unique programs, facilities and operations on our campuses and comply with the law,” Duncan said. “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.”
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, which goes into effect August 1, 2016, requires that the Board of Regents review each institution’s rules, but does not require the board’s approval of the regulations. As outlined in the statute, ultimate approval and implementation is determined by the president of each university.
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.
“While formalizing these policies is a significant step, equally important is how we carry out these rules and prepare for this new law,” Duncan said. “Our focus moving forward must be on the implementation of these policies and ensuring our students, faculty and staff receive proper education and training before the law goes into effect. The continued success of the Texas Tech University System would not be possible without its great people and their well-being, and we remain committed in providing a safe and productive environment to learn, work and prosper.”
The operating policies will go into effect August 1, 2016. In the coming months, each university will move forward with plans to implement its policies, widely distribute the rules and offer educational and safety training materials to students, staff and faculty. Open carry of handguns, per state law, will continue to be prohibited on campus.
The campus carry policies for the four component universities can be reviewed at the following links:
- Texas Tech University – http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/CampusCarry/TTUdraft03-24-16.pdf
- Angelo State University – www.angelo.edu/content/files/22835-asu-proposed-policy-sb-11-campus-carry
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – http://www.ttuhsc.edu/hsc/op/op10/op1030.pdf
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso – http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/provost/_documents/TTUHSC-El-Paso-draft.pdf
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.
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.