Weapons on Campus

POLICY STATEMENT



The Board of Trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning recognizes that the possession of pistols, firearms or other weapons on any of its institutional premises or at its institutions or student functions off- campus by persons other than duly authorized law enforcement officials, institutional security officials, other authorized persons and the institutional approved programs creates an unreasonable and unwarranted risk of injury or death to its institutions’ employees, students, visitors and guests and further creates an unreasonable and unwarranted risk of damage to properties of the institutions, employees, students, visitors, guests and properties of others. Because of such dangers, the Board hereby 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. “Authorized persons” includes those individuals authorized by applicable law and by the institutional executive officer or his/her designee. “Authorized persons” also includes those who have in their possession a valid, unexpired state firearms permit with the “Instructor Certified” (IC) sticker on the back, or the equivalent permit issued by a state with a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi. Even so, those possessing such permits are not permitted to possess firearms in any institutional facilities and/or areas that are deemed non-public. Students and employees are not authorized to possess firearms on institutional property or at institutional off-campus events regardless of possession of firearms permits.

DEFINITIONS



Authorized persons: Includes those individuals authorized by applicable law and by the institutional executive officer or his/her designee. It also includes those who have in their possession a valid, unexpired state firearms permit with the “Instructor Certified” (IC) sticker on the back, or the equivalent permit issued by a state with a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi.

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.

Student: A person enrolled at the university whether full-time or part-time.

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES



Unless authorized by the Chief of the University Police Department or otherwise authorized under this policy, students, faculty, staff and visitors are prohibited from possessing pistols, firearms, or other weapons on University property regardless of their possession of an enhanced conceal carry permit.

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

H.L. Nowell Student Union (with the exception of the University Police Department)

Outdoor locations (excluding sites listed below)

Roberts-LaForge Library

Young-Mauldin Dining Hall

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 buildings

Administrative offices and buildings

Athletic facilities

Residence Halls

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.

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

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Section 45-9-101 of the Mississippi Code

IHL Policy 1106

STATUS



Active

DATES(S)



Change/Review/Approval Date:

Cabinet Approval: 04/11/2016