December 14, 2015
Weapons Advisory Work Group update
The Weapons Advisory Work Group has met twice in the past month and expanded its membership to include a representative from K-State Athletics. During the first meeting on Nov. 11, the work group reviewed the proposed amendments to the Board of Regents policy on weapons possession.
After much discussion, a memo with recommended changes or clarifications of the draft policy was submitted to Julene Miller, KBOR General Counsel, for consideration. The Regents accepted revisions from universities through Dec. 4. The revised weapons policy will be submitted to the Governance Committee at the Dec. 16 Regents meeting. The Regents plan to approve the revised policy during the January meeting.
The work group met again on Dec. 3 to discuss gathering additional information from universities that have implemented concealed carry such as the University of Wisconsin and Colorado State University. Pertinent information also will be requested from the National Center for Campus Public Safety. Public Safety also will develop a list of questions to submit to campus police departments where concealed carry has been implemented.
The work group decided to form five subgroups to solicit additional input from the campus community as the university begins to determine how best to implement the concealed carry statute on K-State campuses within the guidelines of the Regents' policy. The proposed subgroups will include 10-15 student, faculty and staff representatives with members of the work group serving as chairs. Each group will consider the impact of implementing concealed carry and assist in drafting university policy. Each of the student, faculty and university support staff senates will appoint representatives along with administration to form the subgroups. The proposed subgroups are:
- Special events: Various special events on campus, such as athletic, McCain performances and concerts, Beach Museum of Art events, UPC events, graduation, conferences, camps, etc.
- Student life: Organized housing, K-State Student Union, Recreational Services, Counseling Services, Student Financial Assistance and other buildings and areas frequented by students.
- Academics: Locations such as classrooms, libraries, computer labs, faculty offices, studio spaces, etc.
- Research: Areas such as laboratories, extension areas, Biosecurity Research Institute, Nuclear Reactor Facility, etc.
- General services: General facilities, administrative offices and other common areas not identified elsewhere.
The feedback we have received is appreciated, and we encourage faculty and staff to participate in the survey sponsored by the faculty and university support staff senates. Campus input is critical as the work group begins developing the revised university weapons policy. I encourage you to share your suggestions with myself at cab@k-state.edu or through the Vice President for Administration and Finance webpage.
Cindy Bontrager, Vice President for Administration and Finance