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Posted: 4/27/16

TAMUS Regents Pass Campus Carry Rules; Law Begins Aug. 1 at TAMIU

 

Planetarium at TAMIU
Campus Carry at TAMIU becomes law Aug.1, 2016.  

In action Wednesday, April 27, 2016, The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Board of Regents accepted recommendations for rules to govern Campus Carry implementation at all TAMUS campuses, including Texas A&M International University. 

Because the Board made no changes to the rules as proposed by the institutions, no vote was required.  The rules will go into effect 1 August 2016. TAMIU Rules are available online.  

TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck said that the Legislature’s overwhelming support for passage of Senate Bill 11 was clear and that all State public universities are required to comply.

“We are an agency of the State of Texas and are required by law to comply with applicable Texas law.  We have complied and our Rules for the campus will be in place with the law’s activation later this year,” Dr. Keck said.

Trevor Liddle, TAMIU associate vice president for administration and chair of the TAMIU Campus Carry Task Force, shared particulars about the TAMIU Rules, and outlined general Campus Carry provisions.

“The Task Force took seriously its charge to develop a rule that respects the letter and spirit of Senate Bill 11.  In the forefront of our thinking was how do we implement the law, preserve the rights of law abiding Texas citizens, and support the concealed handgun license holder’s duty under the law. 

“I am proud of the work our team of students, faculty, and staff have completed.  The TAMIU Rule creates exclusion zones where existing State law precludes the lawful carrying of a concealed handgun e.g. our Texas Academy on International and STEM Studies, student health and counseling centers, and areas where the concealed license holder would not be able to readily meet their duties under the law such as controlled areas of our recreation center facilities.  

“Finally, the Task Force reviewed areas in our science and engineering facilities where the presence of a handgun could have unforeseen complications with science experiments involving high powered magnets.  In evaluating all of these areas, the Task Force considered the legislature’s direction that the rule not effectively eliminate the right of the license holder to legally carry their handgun on the campus,” Liddle explained.

 He reviewed the procedure TAMIU followed as it moved to compliance with the law.

“Senate Bill 11 (“Campus Carry”) was passed into law by the 84th Legislative Session.  After its passage, TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck convened a Task Force, which included TAMIU faculty, staff and students. The Task Force was charged with creating recommendations for rules to govern TAMIU Campus Carry. 

 “Campus forums were held to collect insight and feedback from the campus community.  The Task Force’s recommendations were provided to TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck for review.  Dr. Keck’s recommendations were reviewed by The Texas A&M University System Office of General Counsel, approved by the Chancellor and submitted to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents as TAMIU’s Proposed Rules for action at their April meeting,” Liddle said.

 TAMIU has shared news of the Board’s passage and the new rules to students via the University’s portal, Uconnect, and on a dedicated Campus Carry website.  It will also be incorporated into the University’s signage, communications and student orientation programs in advance of the implementation date.

For additional information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu  or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 268.

 

Related Links:

 Summary, The Texas A&M University System Member Campus Carry Rules.