TCU decides to opt out of SB11

[jkurtz]

I just received this email from TCU a few minutes ago.

Dear TCU Faculty, Staff and Students,

Since August, we have been discussing and debating campus safety in light of Senate Bill 11, commonly known as the Campus Carry law in Texas. As you may know, SB 11 amends the Government and Penal Code of Texas allowing concealed handgun license owners to carry a gun on college and university campuses in Texas. It also allows private universities a provision to opt out of the law following a process of consultation with faculty, staff and students.

We engaged in a public debate and open forums, and sought your input through governance groups, a student poll and a common email. The Cabinet and TCU's Board of Trustees thoughtfully considered the feedback from each of these sources in assessing the community’s desires related to our option in the law.

The academic affairs and student relations committees recommended that the Board of Trustees opt out of SB 11, and the Board voted to affirm that recommendation this morning. As a result of this vote, the University’s policy prohibiting guns on campus remains in effect. The University will now begin the process of defining all strategies and policies associated with this Board decision.

Through this process we have learned a great deal about our community’s commitment to the safety and personal campus culture. We will continue to use your feedback to address opportunities for improvement in our physical facilities, police coverage and additional training moving forward.

The safety and security of our community are of the utmost importance. This afternoon you will be able to find a fact sheet on the TCU website that highlights additional security measures that we employ to keep our campus as safe as possible.

Again, thank you for your participation in this process.

Sincerely,

Kathy Cavins-Tull
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

[mojo84]

Very disappointing. It's a shame they think a school campus is so much different than other places.

[jed]

Why/how do people keep thinking gun free zones are safer? How many times will gun free zone be proven ineffective before people start getting a clue? These people are idiots AND they keep reproducing.

[TXBO]

Not surprising. TCU is a funded by the Disciples of Christ Church. They are not very second amendment friendly.

[Beiruty]

If there is ever shooting at that campus, someone would sue them as liable for their actions and failed to provide enough security to justify banning students from defending themselves.

[jkurtz]

Not surprising. TCU is a funded by the Disciples of Christ Church. They are not very second amendment friendly.

The school is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, but not governed by them. I honestly do not know how much funding TCU receives from them.

[jkurtz]

If there is ever shooting at that campus, someone would sue them as liable for their actions and failed to provide enough security to justify banning students from defending themselves.

Shouldn't have to be a shooting. During my freshman year there was a murder on campus in which the killer used a knife.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local ... 63581.html

The article states that the student was murdered in an apartment near campus. It actually occurred in the North Tower of the Grand Marc complex which is owned by the school, therefore preventing residents from keeping arms, even in their own residence.

[C-dub]

Just a little sanity/reality check here.

I've read this and a few other articles about TCU today and they are all still using the language that people won't be able to carry concealed handguns on campus. This is actually incorrect, right? They are still just banned from the buildings, no?

[John Galt]

After seeing what has happened at other Colleges, it is utterly stupid to come to this decision.

[RPBrown]

Just goes to show you that we have some really ignorant people teaching our kids

[jkurtz]

Just a little sanity/reality check here.

I've read this and a few other articles about TCU today and they are all still using the language that people won't be able to carry concealed handguns on campus. This is actually incorrect, right? They are still just banned from the buildings, no?

I am not 100% sure, but considering that TCU is a private school I would assume that the land is also privately owned and subject to school policy. I could be wrong, but I don't want to be a test case.

[TexasJohnBoy]

The campus police will have no problem being everywhere all the time, obviously.

[doncb]

Why/how do people keep thinking gun free zones are safer? How many times will gun free zone be proven ineffective before people start getting a clue? These people are idiots AND they keep reproducing.

The answer is very simple. They don't think and they have no clue.

[oohrah]

Just a little sanity/reality check here.

I've read this and a few other articles about TCU today and they are all still using the language that people won't be able to carry concealed handguns on campus. This is actually incorrect, right? They are still just banned from the buildings, no?

I am not 100% sure, but considering that TCU is a private school I would assume that the land is also privately owned and subject to school policy. I could be wrong, but I don't want to be a test case.

My understanding is that they would have to 30.06 the buildings AND the grounds.