UT Professors Say 'No' To Allowing CHL Holders In Most Campus Facilities
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - Professors at the University of Texas at Austin have voted unanimously against allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry weapons in most campus facilities, despite so-called Campus Carry legislation that is set to take effect in 2016.
Dr. Sophia Gilmson, a UT music professor, was representative of nearly all of the speakers at the Faculty Council meeting. She said, "I think it is a very unified motion that we should not allow guns at the University, anywhere. Anywhere!"
The resolution by the Faculty Council of the University of Texas calls for banning guns in certain campus spaces. UT Faculty Council Chairwoman Andrea Gore helped draft the resolution. "The Faculty Council strongly opposes allowing guns in the University of Texas at Austin classrooms, laboratories, residence halls and university offices."
School leaders say they hope the resolution will influence the final campus gun policy.
University President Gregory Fenves addressed the faculty members before the vote. He said, "We're going to have to work together to be able to implement and carry out the intent of the legislature as best as we can, and preserve the precious educational environment we have here."
Texas law had allowed CHL holders to carry weapons onto college and university grounds. The passage of Senate Bill 11 expanded boundaries to allow concealed weapons to be carried into classrooms, dormitories and other buildings at public and private universities.
The Campus Carry gun legislation is scheduled to go into effect August 1, 2015, which is the 50th anniversary of the UT Tower sniper shooting. On that day UT engineering student and former U.S. Marine Charles Whitman shot and killed 16 people after climbing into the tower with three rifles, two pistols, and a sawed-off shotgun.
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