Delta State University Policies

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Weapons on Campus

POLICY STATEMENT

The safety of the University’s campuses is of paramount importance to the Administration of Delta State University. To ensure the safety of our campuses in accordance with the State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) policies and in light of statutory enactments of the Mississippi Legislature, the University has developed this policy regarding the possession of weapons on its campuses. This policy is required for the effective communication of University policy regarding the possession of weapons by employees, students, guests, and visitors on all property of Delta State University.

Delta State University recognizes that the possession of weapons on its campus or at University or student functions off-campus, by persons other than duly authorized law enforcement officials, other authorized persons, and those participating in University approved programs, creates an unreasonable and unwarranted risk of injury or death to its employees, students, visitors, and guests, and further creates an unreasonable and unwarranted risk of damage to property of the University and of its employees, students, visitors, guests and properties of others.

Delta State University must comply with the State Institutions of Higher Learning policies, state and federal law, and any other locally applicable laws or regulations regarding the possession of weapons including firearms, on its campuses. This policy is being implemented to protect the health and safety of the students, employees, guests, and visitors to Delta State University.

DEFINITIONS

Authorized persons: Includes those individuals authorized by applicable law and by the institutional executive officer or his/her designee.

Employee: This generally includes faculty and staff employees who are working on paid appointments by the University. It generally excludes students or temporary employees. For specific information on who is considered an employee, contact the Human Resources Department.

Other authorized persons: Includes those individuals who have in their possession a valid, unexpired state enhanced concealed carry firearms permit or the equivalent permit issued by a state with a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi. Even so, those individuals possessing such permits are not permitted to possess weapons or firearms in any non-public institutional location.

Student: A person enrolled at the university or any other educational provider, whether full-time or part-time.

Weapon: Any dangerous instrument if it is used, attempted or threatened to be used, or is readily capable of being used to cause death or serious physical injury, including but not limited to the following: firearms (any weapon from which a shot, projectile, or other object may be discharged by force, whether operable or inoperable, loaded or unloaded), bombs, knives (except small, personal, pocket knives with a folding blade no longer than three (3) inches, or culinary knives with blades of four (4) inches or less used exclusively for food preparation), slingshots, etc.

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Unless authorized by the Chief of the University Police Department, Delta State University prohibits the possession of pistols, firearms or other weapons in any form by any person other than duly authorized law enforcement officials, institutional security officials, and other authorized persons. Students and employees are not authorized to possess weapons or firearms on institutional property or at institutional off-campus events regardless of possession of firearms permits.

A visitor of Delta State University, who is permitted to carry a firearm in accordance with Mississippi’s Enhanced Concealed Carry law [Miss. Code Ann. § 45-9-101], is permitted to carry a firearm in the following public locations:

Charles W. Capps Archives and Museum (other than classrooms)
L. Nowell Student Union (other than classrooms)
W. Reily Health Center (except for patient care areas)
Roberts-LaForge Library (other than classrooms)
Wiley Planetarium (except when in use for instruction)
Forest E. Wyatt Center/Ronald G. Mayers Aquatic Center (other than classrooms and/or athletic event venues)
Young-Mauldin Dining Hall
Outdoor locations (unless excluded below or serving as an area of instruction)

All visitors to the campus are prohibited from carrying firearms, regardless of their possession of an enhanced conceal carry permit, in all other buildings, facilities, and campus locations including, but not limited to, the following:

Academic classrooms, laboratories, and/or buildings
Administrative, faculty, or staff offices
Any classroom or area of instruction, where enrollment or a fee is paid to participate, including those within an otherwise public building
Any space requiring a ticket to an event, including ticketed events at:
- Bologna Performing Arts Center (concerts, speakers, etc.)
- Intercollegiate athletic event venues
Residence halls including space allocated for fraternities and sororities
Laboratories and research facilities
Patient care areas within a student health center
Areas/locations within a student health center, containing radiological source materials or flammable/combustible gases or chemicals
Areas/locations within a student health center containing confidential student and/or patient records
Preschool/Daycare facilities
Areas or locations in which student conduct proceedings are held

A visitor who has an enhanced conceal carry permit but is in possession of a firearm outside of the allowable areas listed above or is in violation of the requirements of the enhanced conceal carry permit, such as not having their firearm concealed, is in violation of this policy and may, at a minimum, be required to leave the premises.

Violation of Policy
Any individual who violates this policy may be subject to appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action, including but not limited to arrest, termination, and/or expulsion.

Review of Policy

Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Affairs, this policy shall be reviewed at least every two (2) years in odd numbered years or as necessary. The policy review period will begin immediately following Spring Commencement ceremonies. The review and any edits must be approved by the University Cabinet no later than August 1 of the same year.

Responsible Office and/or Policy Owner: Office of Student Affairs