SA to lead campus dialogue on concealed carry law

By Isaac Shutz     9/23/15 5:29am

A conversation regarding gun laws has begun in Rice’s Student Association in light of Senate Bill 11, which the Texas Legislature passed in early June.

The bill states that concealed carry of firearms will be legalized on all public and private university campuses statewide beginning in August 2016. While public universities cannot reject S.B. 11’s stipulations, private universities including Rice have until the summer of 2016 to opt out.

Rice’s firearm policy, which was most recently updated in 1996, prohibits the possession of concealed weapons and firearms on campus. Until now, the issue has not been revisited.

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Rice University Vice President and General Counsel Richard Zansitis spoke at the SA Senate meeting Sept. 16 to discuss the changes in how fi rearms are treated on college campuses. Zansitis said the university must follow a consultation procedure before opting out.

“We must demonstrate clear and documented discussion and consultation,” SA President Jazz Silva said. “The SA has decided to create a working group to gauge student opinion.”

A working group including the Vice President of Administration Kevin Kirby and Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson will begin the discussion with the Rice population, Zansitis said.

They will work with the SA to hear from the undergraduate population, the Graduate Student Association, the Rice Faculty Senate and the Sta Advisory Committee, according to Zansitis.

The SA Senate will vote on legislation to create the working group this Wednesday, according to Silva, a Sid Richardson College senior. She said she will appoint members of the working group.

According to Zansitis, the committee will also hold conversations with residential college presidents and the masters of each college. Then, it will present the information gathered to President David Leebron.

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