Dive Brief:
- The University of Houston Faculty Senate recently discussed Texas’ new concealed carry law, sharing advice about how to deal with students, including taking care in discussing sensitive topics, altering their curricula, and backing off if students seem angry.
- The Washington Post reports a faculty senate working group also discussed holding appointment-only office hours and meeting with students one-on-one in public places only, given the concerns raised by student possession of guns in campus buildings.
- The new law takes effect Aug. 1, and while the campus administration does not endorse the faculty senate’s recommendations, it is developing a new policy to regulate campus carry.
Dive Insight:
Private schools in Texas have all opted out of the concealed carry law, which will allow licensed gun owners to carry their weapons into campus buildings. Concealed handguns have been legal on college campuses for 20 years but not in the buildings, meaning they were never allowed in classrooms. The legislature’s new law allows for some regulation by individual schools. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, may ban guns in dormitories. Private schools, so far, have opted out of the new law entirely. Public colleges and universities, however, do not have that option, and legislators have promised to be vigilant about the level of additional rules campuses enforce.
Even though concealed carry faces significant opposition on campuses, it does have support from some, including students who are properly licensed and looking forward to the additional freedom. At least one faculty member, though, has quit on account of the new law.