UT-RGV Exclusion Zones

[JustSomeOldGuy]

University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley recently released it's list of excluded areas. The map in TV station website article is
- the general map of the campus
- too small to be of any use
- does not appear to differentiate any of the excluded areas

http://www.utrgv.edu/campuscarry/_files ... -zones.pdf

http://www.krgv.com/story/32450237/excl ... -carry-law

[ELB]

Thanks for posting this.

It appears to me that UTRGV has almost completely banned concealed carry from its residence facilities, which is contrary to the AG's opinion in KP-051.

The UTRGV rules specify under paragraph II. Residential Facilities, Exclusion Zones, and Storage of Handguns, that concealed carry is prohibited entirely in Unity, Heritage, and Troxell Halls, and prohibited in double occupancy rooms of Casa Bell Apartments. It looks like to me, from perusing the school's website, that these four buildings constitute the entire residential system of UTRGV. Am I wrong?

In KP-051, the AG wrote that the law allows the school to regulate the storage of handguns in dormitories and such, but could not ban them.

Specifically,

If an institution placed a prohibition on handguns in the institutions residential facilities, however, it would effectively prohibit license holders in those facilities from carrying concealed handguns on campus, in violation of S.B. 11.

This opinion came out quite early in the process, in December 2015, so there's no good reason for UTRGV not know about this.

Are any of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (not sure I got the title exactly right) or anyone else compiling apparent violations of this nature for challenge?

[JustSomeOldGuy]

It appears to me that UTRGV has almost completely banned concealed carry from its residence facilities, which is contrary to the AG's opinion in KP-051.

The UTRGV rules specify under paragraph II. Residential Facilities, Exclusion Zones, and Storage of Handguns, that concealed carry is prohibited entirely in Unity, Heritage, and Troxell Halls, and prohibited in double occupancy rooms of Casa Bell Apartments. It looks like to me, from perusing the school's website, that these four buildings constitute the entire residential system of UTRGV. Am I wrong?

In KP-051, the AG wrote that the law allows the school to regulate the storage of handguns in dormitories and such, but could not ban them.

Specifically,

If an institution placed a prohibition on handguns in the institutions residential facilities, however, it would effectively prohibit license holders in those facilities from carrying concealed handguns on campus, in violation of S.B. 11.

For what it's worth (my 2 cent opinion);
- based on my experience while attending (then named) Pan American University in the late 70's/early 80's
- casual observation (in the area on a daily basis) in the present

UTRGV is predominantly a 'commuter school'. 93% of enrollment is from the local 4 county area. Commutes range from spitting distance to a max of about 70 miles. The percentage of enrolled students who reside in the dorms is probably less than 4% (<1000). (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universit ... nde_Valley ) I'm betting that the number of dorm dwellers age 21 or over wouldn't fill the average restaurant. Students residing in commercial rental units (apartments or houses) off campus exceed dorm dwellers by orders of magnitude. Everybody else just drives to class for the day.

You are probably correct about them essentially banning guns from the dorms. I'm probably correct in my assumption that no one in the dorms is LTC eligible, so a civil plaintiff will be hard to find. I'd be more concerned about the number of rooms they're designating as 'labs'.

Are any of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (not sure I got the title exactly right) or anyone else compiling apparent violations of this nature for challenge?

unknown....

[ELB]

...I'm betting that the number of dorm dwellers age 21 or over wouldn't fill the average restaurant....

This is probably true at most dorms on most campuses.

Nevertheless, the law is the law.

[KLB]

Nevertheless, the law is the law.

But only for us hoi polloi. The clerisy are our betters and need not be troubled by the rules that burden us.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

It appears to me that UTRGV has almost completely banned concealed carry from its residence facilities, which is contrary to the AG's opinion in KP-051.

The UTRGV rules specify under paragraph II. Residential Facilities, Exclusion Zones, and Storage of Handguns, that concealed carry is prohibited entirely in Unity, Heritage, and Troxell Halls, and prohibited in double occupancy rooms of Casa Bell Apartments. It looks like to me, from perusing the school's website, that these four buildings constitute the entire residential system of UTRGV. Am I wrong?

As far as Edinburg campus;
Troxell & Heritage: 192 students EXCLUDED
Unity Hall: 396 students EXCLUDED

Bronc Village: 200 students (not specified if any/how much of BV is "shared living space")

So at the Edinburg campus, 75% or more of dorm capacity is exluded. I eyeball verified that Troxell, Heritage, and Unity all have shiny new 30.06 signs. I have not walked Bronc Village yet to see if any of it is posted 30.06 (BV is comprised of 6 separate buildings). Will be posting on Texas3006.com as I verify signage and get usable photos.

{added 8-13-16}
Walked through Bronc Village yesterday; none of the buildings or entryways are posted. Also photographed postings on excluded buildings and uploaded to Texas3006.com.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

Recently discovered 'ADM 02-400', aka
http://www.utrgv.edu/campuscarry/_files ... policy.pdf
dated August 1, 2016.

There appears to be some minor disagreement with respect to excluded locations when compared with
http://www.utrgv.edu/campuscarry/_files ... -zones.pdf

In addition, while they cite Tx Penal Code 46 in Section H of the campus-carry-policy.pdf, they appear to have not fully understood 46.035 (i) and 46.035 (l). It is my understanding that church and sporting event locations must be explicitly 30.06 posted. In the policy.pdf section E-1-h they cite religious worship locations, yet the University Chapel (map reference CHAP) and Church of Christ (map reference CHUR) buildings do not have 30.06 signs posted.
Policy.pdf section E-1-k cites 46.035(b)(2) AND includes "sports club or intramural athletic competition" but the Intramural Fields (map reference IMFD), and Track & Soccer Field (map reference TRAK) are not posted. In addition, the Orville Cox Tennis Center (map reference COXT) is explicitly listed in the campus-carry-exclusion-zones.pdf but has no 30.06 signs posted.

Policy.pdf section E-1-e references the Regional Academic Health Center (map reference ERAH), but it does not cite that building in the campus-carry-exclusion-zones.pdf (I'll have to revisit the campus to check if the ERAH has any exterior postings that I missed on my campus walk).

The other section of campus-carry-policy.pdf that makes me think they have cognitively "missed the boat" is section F-1 where they state "UTRGV will provide notice at all locations or activities where concealed handguns are prohibited under this policy and may post notice where handguns are expressly prohibited but where notice is not required to be posted by law."

Where is it, exactly, that "notice is not required to be posted by law" that would apply on campus under 30.06?

campus map references may be found at
http://www.utrgv.edu/_files/documents/a ... rg-map.pdf

[TexasTornado]

...I'm betting that the number of dorm dwellers age 21 or over wouldn't fill the average restaurant....

This is probably true at most dorms on most campuses.

Nevertheless, the law is the law.

UTD Pretty much banned on campus dorms too. Which are pretty much freshmen and sophomore housing. Unless they find someone in the military who's 10-20 living on campus and has a LTC, doubt they'll get many complaints.