An Open Letter Addressing Graduate Student Questions on Campus Carry (SB11)
from the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Graduate Student Assembly

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Attention:

Dr. Gregory Fenves,    President, University of Texas at Austin
Prof. Steven Goode,    Chair, Campus Carry Working Group

Context

The Legislative Affairs Committee of the Graduate Student Assembly is participating in an ongoing discussion with graduate students about their concerns with regard to SB11, as passed by the Texas Legislature in the 84th Regular Session.

As part of this discussion, and recognizing the possibility that President Fenves may soon take action to “establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by licensed holders on the campus of the institution or on premises located on the campus of the institution,” as per the language of SB 11, we thought it best to issue this open letter on behalf of concerned graduate students.

We hope that this letter will encourage meaningful discourse, and that this discourse will lead to recommendations which reflect the best interests of our graduate students.  We may also submit a resolution on behalf of graduate students for consideration by the full Graduate Student Assembly at a future date.  However, at this time, this letter reflects only the sentiments of those graduate students who have shared their voice with the Legislative Affairs Committee.

An Open Letter Addressing Graduate Student Questions on Campus Carry

The Legislative Affairs Committee of the Graduate Student Assembly encourages President Gregory Fenves to consider the following questions, which are drawn from multiple conversations with graduate students.  We believe it is important to ensure that each of these questions are thoughtfully addressed through the development of “reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions” adopted by UT, as allowed by SB11.

While there may be some overlap between questions posed in this open letter, and questions already considered by the campus carry working group and President Fenves, where possible we have endeavored to identify questions that represent the unique perspective of graduate students.  Additionally, we encourage graduate students (and all members of the UT-community) to continue sharing their thoughts, concerns, and key questions as we move forward.

Questions regarding who may carry firearms on campus under SB11:

• Can non-UT students, staff, or faculty — e.g. members of the broader public — carry concealed weapons on campus?  If not, how will the university inform and regulate non-UT community members traveling onto our campus?
• Can individuals who have obtained a CHL in another state, potentially with more lax requirements, carry concealed weapons on campus, as per Texas’ reciprocity laws?
• Specifically, is UT prepared to accept CHL holders on campus taking advantage of the “Virginia loophole” which merely requires applicants answer 15/20 questions on an internet website?
• Can non-UT students, staff, or faculty — e.g. members of the broader public — who have previously committed a violent crime, or have exhibited a history of mental health concerns, carry concealed weapons on campus?
• Can non-UT students, staff, or faculty — e.g. members of the broader public — who are CHL holders, carry a concealed weapon on behalf of a UT community member, as in the example of an armed bodyguard?
• Can these auxiliary populations (as specified above) dramatically increase the pool of potential concealed weapons carriers at UT?
• Can UT students, staff, or faculty who have previously been reported to campus officials, including campus police, for a violent offense, or exhibited a pattern of mental health concerns, carry concealed weapons on campus?
• Have there been attempts to estimate the number of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students who are eligible to carry a concealed weapon?  Can these populations dramatically increase the pool of potential CHL holders at UT?
• Have there been attempts to estimate the number of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students at UT who already possess a Texas CHL?
• Will UT keep a regular count of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and additional visitors who possess a CHL?
• Will UT keep a regular count of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and additional visitors who opt to carry a handgun on campus?

Questions regarding locations where firearms may be carried or stored on campus:

• If non-UT students, staff, or faculty — e.g. members of the broader public — are permitted to carry concealed weapons on campus, will they be permitted to enter classrooms and academic offices while armed?
• Generally, will non-UT CHL holders be prohibited from certain spaces accessible by students, faculty, and staff?
• Will CHL holders be prohibited from carrying handguns in facilities where children (individuals under the age of 18) are present? (i.e. School of Social Work, Seay Building, Butler School of Music, etc.)
• Will CHL holders be permitted to carry handguns on campus during community events like Explore UT, where K-12 students are invited to visit all areas of campus, often as a school-sponsored field trip?
• Will CHL holders be permitted to carry handguns while attending sporting events?
• Will CHL holders be prohibited from carrying and storing handguns in dormitories?
• Will CHL holders be prohibited from carrying handguns in campus libraries?
• Will CHL holders be permitted to enter the Graduate Student Assembly office with a firearm?
• Can the President allow faculty, staff, and graduate students holding official positions on campus to designate gun-free zones in areas they are responsible for supervising?
• Will CHL holders be permitted free storage spaces for weapons?  For example, will graduate science labs be equipped with storage spaces for weapons?

Questions regarding proper protocol for situations involving a firearm:

• When is a CHL holder legally permitted to withdraw their firearm?
• What should a student do if they find a firearm unattended in a campus space?
• If a CHL holder leaves a firearm unattended in a campus space, what is the process for campus officials to ensure that the firearm is safely retrieved, secured, and stored?
• If a CHL holder leaves a firearm unattended in a campus space, what consequences do they face?
• If a student observes “a partially or wholly visible handgun” (SB11), whether displayed intentionally or unintentionally, should they report that to someone?
• If a student observes “a partially or wholly visible handgun” (SB11), whether displayed intentionally or unintentionally, are they to be discouraged from or penalized for vacating the area and encouraging others to vacate the area, for reasons of safety?
• If a graduate student operating as a TA observes “a partially or wholly visible handgun” (SB11), whether displayed intentionally or unintentionally, are they to be discouraged or penalized for vacating the classroom or academic office, and encouraging others, including students under their supervision, to vacate the area, for reasons of safety?
• If a graduate student operating as a GSA or other campus (and state) employee observes “a partially or wholly visible handgun” (SB11), whether displayed intentionally or unintentionally, are they to be discouraged or penalized for vacating an academic office, and encouraging others to vacate the area, for reasons of safety?
• Will campus police continue to issue alert notices for persons who are reported to have a handgun, while waiting to confirm whether a person is/is not a CHL holder?
• Will the university allow CHL holders to participate in an active shooter situation?
• Will the university appoint selected CHL holders as response managers in an active shooter situation?

Questions regarding training for students, faculty, and staff, including campus police.

• How will campus police be trained to provide for overall safety and security when CHL holders may be carrying handguns on campus?
• Will the campus police be trained to account for CHL holders potentially engaging in active shooter situations?  For example, how will campus police determine whether someone is the active shooter, as opposed to a well-meaning CHL holder?
• What unique training, if any, will CHL holders be required to receive, before carrying a handgun on campus?
• Specifically, will all CHL holders be trained for how best to respond to active shooter situations on a college campus?  What guidance will they be provided?
• Will all non-CHL holders who are students, faculty, and staff receive training for active shooter situations that account for the presence of CHL holders carrying handguns?
• What unique training, if any, will all non-CHL holders who are students, faculty, and staff receive?  For example, training to safely handle firearms?  Will such training be mandatory and a recurring part of the semester registration process?
• Will certified CHL instructors be made available to students, faculty, and staff, including campus police, to answer pressing questions and concerns?
• How will UT students, faculty, and staff, including campus police, be trained to identify circumstances when a CHL holder is legally permitted to withdraw their firearm?
• How will UT students, faculty, and staff, including campus police, be trained to account for well-documented racial biases in determining whether a person of color is a threat (active shooter), as opposed to an innocent bystander, or a well-meaning CHL holder?

Questions regarding documentation for CHL holders on campus:

• Will CHL holders be required to carry their CHL (legal documentation) on their person at all times while in possession of a firearm on campus?
• Will CHL holders be required to obtain additional documentation (e.g. registration, as with bicycles) in order to carry their firearm on campus?  Documentation could include a special designation on a UT ID.
• Will CHL holders be required to carry additional documentation (as described above) on their person at all times while in possession of a firearm on campus?
• Will CHL holders electing to carry a firearm on campus be assessed a fee to help accommodate the increased costs for training, storage, and response to situations involving firearms on campus?
• Will CHL holders be required to disclose to campus police that they are armed upon arrival each day while in possession of a firearm on campus?
• Will CHL holders be required to disclose to mental health professionals that they carry a firearm on campus?  If a mental health professional determines that a CHL holder poses a threat to self or others, are they permitted to share this information with campus officials?

Questions regarding proper protocol for disclosure of possession of a firearm on campus:

• Is a CHL holder permitted to freely disclose that they are carrying a concealed weapon?
• Will there be specific guidelines regarding what constitutes a threat of violence from a person who discloses they are carrying a concealed weapon?  (For example, mentioning the weapon during a verbal argument.)
• Specifically, can disclosure of possession of a firearm prior to engaging in sexual activity (for example, in a locked room in a dormitory) be interpreted as a threat of violence and thus constitute a sexual assault?
• Can a member of the UT-community, including students, ask whether a person on campus is carrying a concealed weapon, without fear of penalty?
• Is a CHL holder required to disclose that they are carrying a concealed weapon, if asked?
• Is a graduate CHL holder required to disclose the possession of firearm to their research supervisor?  (Specifically, during meetings with advisors in labs and office settings?)

Questions regarding the rights and responsibilities of TAs

• Can a graduate student serving as a TA, or other campus employee, request to work only in spaces (e.g. classrooms, academic, and staff offices) designated gun-free without fear of penalty, including loss of financial support and career development opportunities?
• How will the university communicate information regarding gun-free spaces to TAs?
• How will the university allot gun-free spaces to interested TAs?
• Can a graduate student serving as a TA or other campus employee publicly advocate against implementation of SB11 without fear of penalty, including loss of financial support and career development opportunities?

Questions regarding students’ rights to information regarding classes affected by SB11:

• If a class posted during course registration will be held in a space that allows concealed handguns, will that be clearly noted in the course registration system?
• If a student elects not to register for a course due to safety concerns, will they be allowed to take alternative courses with guidance from their advisor, without financial or academic penalty, in order to ensure steady progress toward degree completion?
• If a student unknowingly registers for a course that will be held in a space that allows concealed handguns, will they be able to drop or transfer courses without financial or academic penalty, at any point in time?
• If a CHL holder who is a student or faculty member intends to bring a firearm to class, will they be required to notify campus officials prior to completing registration for the class?
• Can students, faculty members, and TAs associated with the class be informed whenever someone registers for a class and either holds a CHL and/or specifically intends to carry a concealed weapon?

Questions regarding the exceptional professors we appreciate and support:

• Will the university keep track of candidates under consideration who drop out of application processes for open positions, specifically inquiring whether SB11 influenced their determination not to pursue work at UT?
• Will the university keep track of how SB11 may influence overall application rates, and attrition rates of high-quality candidates throughout the application process, for prospective new faculty members?
• Will the university keep track of premature faculty departures, including early retirement and resignations, specifically inquiring whether SB11 influences their determination not to continue working at UT?
• Will the university keep track of how SB11 may influence overall attrition rates of current faculty, specifically faculty departures from UT to other gun-free colleges?
• Will the university conduct surveys to monitor the effect of SB11 on professors’ comfort with having critical conversations on controversial topics, to  ensure that we do not “stifle the academic freedom and robust debate that is central to our mission,” as UT System Chancellor William McRaven writes.
• How will the university address the unique perspectives of women and UT LGBT / Queer faculty, especially in light of data showing a vast majority of Texas CHL instructors (93%) and Texas CHL license holders (73%) are men?
• How will the university address the unique perspectives and heightened risks UT faculty members of color face under SB11?
• Specifically, how will the university address the concerns of at least 45 faculty from African and African Diaspora Studies (AADS), who believe the “presence of firearms will not only stifle the free exchange of ideas but can be the basis for deadly violence against us in these often fraught settings”?
• Specifically, how will the university address the concerns of at least 16 faculty from the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) many of whom have lived in the Latin American region “and thus have experienced firsthand the effects of […] violence on individuals, families, and communities,” and find “adding easier access to weapons, even with the intent of protection, makes things worse, rather than better”?
• Specifically, how will the university address the concerns of at least 41 faculty from the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, who draw from their experience as researchers and educators working in “a region that is today plagued by violence, war, and extremism” and fear a negative effect on recruitment and retention of minority faculty and students who may “understandably feel that their safety could be compromised in settings where they may be viewed — rightly or wrongly — as representatives of the sensitive viewpoints that are the object of our study”?

Questions regarding the exceptional student peers and staff we appreciate and support:

• Will the university keep track of how SB11 may influence premature student departures (i.e. withdrawal, transfer), specifically asking whether SB11 was a factor in students’ decision-making?
• Will the university facilitate, without financial or academic penalty, the withdrawal or transfer of any student or graduate student from UT as a consequence of SB11?
• Will the university keep track of how SB11 may influence students’ determination not to continue working on campus at UT?  (Especially in the case of graduate students working as TAs, RAs, in GRA positions, or other staff roles.)
  • If there are any restrictions from carrying handguns for students, staff, and faculty who exhibit a pattern of mental health concerns, how can we ensure that this does not have a “chilling” effect on UT community members’ willingness to seek counseling?
  • Specifically, how can we balance valid concerns about CHL holders with mental health concerns, without creating a harmful and inaccurate stigma, as a recent news report reveals 89% of mass shootings do not involve prior evidence of mental health concerns.
  • Will the university conduct surveys to monitor the effect of SB11 on students’ and staff members’ sense of security and safety, to assess to what extent SB11 does/does not contribute to a “climate of fear”?
  • How will the university address the unique perspectives of female and UT LGBT / Queer students and staff members, especially in light of data showing a vast majority of Texas CHL instructors (93%) and Texas CHL license holders (73%) are men?
  • How will the university address the unique perspectives and heightened risks UT students of color, and staff members of color face under SB11?
  • Specifically, how will the university address concerns for students and staff that “the expansion of citizens’ rights to bear firearms facilitates the violent deaths of blacks,” as expressed by the African and African Diaspora Studies department?
  • Specifically, how will the university address the unequal application of SB11 to undocumented students at UT, who cannot apply for CHL licenses in Texas, and may face heightened risks, as described above?

Questions regarding International Students and SB11

• How will UT ensure both the safety of, and equal campus rights for International Students?  Has the President considered how SB11 will impact the approximately 5,000 international students the university enrolls every year, which constitutes roughly 10% of the student population and contributes about $1.5 Billion to the Texas economy?
• Will the university take any separate measures for safety of international students, most of whom, even without a criminal record, will be prohibited access to guns for safety?
• Has the university looked at effects of previous implementation of such laws on enrollment of international students in a major university?
• Will the university accept full responsibility in the event of misuse of firearms to marginalize  international students or to threaten their safety, especially in light of recent campus shootings in the U.S.?
• Will the university make international students aware of the implications of SB11 at UT at the time of application? Will the university assist in the transfer or withdrawal, without financial or academic penalty, of current international students who wish to pursue higher education in gun-free institutions?

Questions regarding the total costs for UT of implementation for SB11

•  To what extent is the fiscal note on SB11 accurate, when it claims “no significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated”?
• Will the university publicly report the total costs of implementation, as described above?
• Will these costs be passed on to students in the form of tuition or fee increases?
• Will these costs be passed on to students in the form of reducing allocated funds for other projects?

Questions regarding the decision-making process for implementation of SB11

• Will President Fenves, and Campus Carry Working Group Chair Prof. Steven Goode, publicly disclose to what extent they have consulted with UT organizations that better understand the unique perspectives and heightened risks SB11 poses to community members of color, as well as female and GLBT / Queer community members?
• Specifically, did President Fenves and Prof. Goode meet with student, graduate student, and faculty members of departments which have publicly expressed concerns for people of color, including but not limited to: African and African Diaspora Studies, Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies?
• Will President Fenves share the guidance he has received from legal counsel and other sources regarding interpretations of SB11 that may influence his decision-making?
• Specifically, has President Fenves sought or received legal counsel concerning the effects SB11 may have on community members of color, as well as female and GLBT / Queer community members?
• Will President Fenves, or UT System Chancellor William McRaven, share the guidance they have received from the Offices of General Counsel (OGC) and Governmental Relations (OGR), specifically concerning “the flexibility afforded by the legislation,” as described in a June 16 letter from the Chancellor?
• Will the Campus Carry Working Group make public all of the important comments and ideas submitted by members of our community?

Thank you for reviewing these important questions.  We look forward to engaging in discourse moving forward to ensure that they are answered in a timely fashion.

Most Sincerely,

The Legislative Affairs Committee of the Graduate Student Assembly,

The University of Texas at Austin

Michael Barnes (Chair)
Aron Weinberg
Emily Germain
Sahil Bhandari
Bart Pitchford
Amir Aziz

Reprinted with Permission