No guns will be allowed in the Student Recreation Center, the Kent R. Hance Chapel and any area where alcohol is served on the Texas Tech campus, according to the university’s newly unveiled operating policy regarding campus carry, or Senate Bill 11.
Texas Tech University Interim President John Opperman accepted the operating policy on Tuesday. Campus carry goes into effect August 1.
Other areas where guns will not be allowed include buildings where counseling services are provided, research laboratories, performance venues and spaces used for activities attended by minors.
Allison Terry/ The Hub@TTU
Opperman created the document with the help of the TTU Campus Carry Task Force, the Chancellor’s Campus Carry Work Group, the TTU System Office of General Counsel and the provost. The policy will be reviewed by the Board of Regents at a meeting in April.
The law also prohibits firearms at any Texas Tech sporting event. If an area does not prohibit firearms by law, the university president is the only person with authority to declare a specific premise exclusionary.
Freshmen dorms will count as exclusionary zones. Handgun license holders will be allowed to keep handguns in suite or apartment-style dorms. such as Murray and Carpenter Wells, as long as the firearm is stored in a university approved gun safe installed in the holder’s room.
Students assigned to a dorm room where a firearm is stored may request a transfer if desired.
A group called the Campus Carry Committee will assist in approving further exclusionary zones.
As specified by state law, open carry will not be allowed on campus.
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