University of Houston Faculty Suggest Professors 'Not Go There' Because of Campus Carry Law

[struggle4progress]

1. FACULTY SENATE RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO FIREARMS ON CAMPUS

Whereas: Weapons designed to end human life have no place in the academic life of the University, except when carried by duly authorized law officers,

Whereas: The American tradition of a weapon-free campus was formulated by the University of Virginia Board of Visitors including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (authors of the Second Amendment) in October 1824: “No Student shall, within the precincts of the University … keep or use weapons or arms of any kind, or gunpowder”,

Whereas: The American Association of University Professors, American Association of Colleges and Universities, American Federation of Teachers, and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges regard “the presence of weapons as incompatible with their educational missions”,

Whereas: A joint statement by 29 scholarly societies including the American Academy of Religion, Latin American Studies Association, Law and Society Association and Modern Language Association expresses their concern that “the Campus Carry law and similar laws in other states introduce serious safety threats on college campuses with a resulting harmful effect on students and professors”,

Whereas: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) principle 3.11.2 “The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community” may not be fulfilled when students carry firearms in instructional spaces,

Whereas: The diverse campus communities and free academic discourse are especially threatened by the presence of deadly weapons in teaching, research and living spaces,

Whereas: Faculty are a particular source of unwelcome news to students (and sometimes staff or other faculty) who often react emotionally and rashly,

Whereas: The Faculty of the University of Houston has repeatedly and strenuously opposed the introduction of deadly weapons onto the University campus,

Whereas: The Texas State Legislature through Senate Bill 11 in 2015 has mandated that concealed handguns on University campuses to be carried by persons who may have only a minimal level of training,

Whereas: The Texas State Legislature made no financial provisions for the implementation of Senate Bill 11, and

Whereas: Recruitment and retention of the best faculty, staff, and students are already now being harmed by the increased presence of deadly weapons to come.

Be it now resolved that:

The Faculty of the University of Houston continues its strenuous objection to the presence of all guns on campus.

The Faculty of the University of Houston asserts that it cannot carry out its core mission of excellence in education, research and public service where guns are present in educational spaces.

The Faculty of the University of Houston respectfully asks the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System and the President and Chancellor of the University of Houston to protect the uniqueness of University life, academic freedom and discourse, and the diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff by keeping deadly weapons out of University life.

The Faculty of the University of Houston asks the Regents and Chancellor to petition the Texas State Legislature to restore the protected academic space envisioned by the founders of the United States of America.

The Faculty of the University of Houston supports the First Amendment and Academic Freedom rights of its individual members to voice their opinions in this regard in publications, public statements, in campus spaces, and instruction.

http://fs.uh.edu/documents/events/FS%20SB11%20resolution%201.4120915154534.pdf