Senate Bill 11, also known as “campus carry,” was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2015. The legislation requires that public universities and colleges allow handgun license-holders to carry concealed weapons on campus beginning in August 2016. The bill also allowed the University to recommend locations where concealed carry are prohibited.

A campus working group assisted with the creation of the UT Dallas recommendations for submission to the University of Texas System Board of Regents, which has final authority on all campus carry implementation policies. The group's recommendation process has provided opportunities for feedback from and in consultation with University stakeholders including students, faculty and staff.

This page is devoted to documenting the process and will be updated periodically. Please send feedback or comments to campuscarry@utdallas.edu.

Aug. 1, 2016

A revised campus carry policy was enacted at UT Dallas. After further consideration of policies at other UT System campuses, the University expanded its policy to allow sole occupants to designate their offices as exclusion zones. For more details, visit our FAQ webpage.

July 13, 2016

The University of Texas System Board of Regents reviewed campus carry recommendations from all campuses and did not vote to make adjustments to the UT Dallas policy. The UT Dallas plan will be implemented as proposed, going into effect. Aug. 1. A campus carry webpage about the new policies was added to the University's website.

April 11, 2016

President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal notified the campus of his Recommendations. Once approved by the Board of Regents, the policy would go into effect Aug. 1. He established a Campus Carry Implementation Working Group to be led by Alex Piquero, Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology and associate dean for Graduate Programs in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.

April 8, 2016

President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal sent a Letter to UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven delivering UT Dallas’ Recommendations for a campus carry policy that complies with Senate Bill 11.

Jan. 12, 2016: Working Group Submits Recommendations

The University of Texas System working group, charged with studying the implementation of Senate Bill 11, has issued its recommendations regarding concealed carry on UT System campuses. See details.

Sept. 22, 2015: Campus Community Contributes at Town Hall

About 700 people attended a Town Hall Meeting, which offered the opportunity for staff, faculty and students to give input regarding the University’s recommendations for the implementation of Senate Bill 11.

President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal, UT Dallas campus liaison Alex Piquero, Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology, and UT Dallas Police Chief Larry Zacharias responded to questions and comments from the audience.

Piquero said the input would be reviewed and considered before the Campus Working Group makes recommendations to the University of Texas System Board of Regents, who will ultimately determine implementation plans for all of the system campuses.

Further input is welcomed. Please send comments to campuscarry@utdallas.edu.
 

Sept. 14, 2015: Town Hall Meeting Announced

A Town Hall Meeting dedicated to receiving stakeholder feedback regarding campus carry was scheduled for 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22 in the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building lecture hall.

The forum offered UT Dallas students, faculty and staff the opportunity to give input regarding the implementation of Senate Bill 11.

Maps available at utdallas.edu/maps and utdallas.edu/locator/ATC_1.102.

Sept. 3, 2015: UT Dallas Working Group Formed

President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal established a campus-wide working group that will recommend implementation policies to UT System, including locations where concealed carry would be prohibited.

Sept. 2, 2015: Working Group Chair Appointed

Nominated by President ad interim Hobson Wildenthal, Professor Alex Piquero was named UT Dallas campus liaison to the UT System and chair of the campus-wide working group.

June 16, 2015: Chancellor McRaven Advises Campuses

UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven sent a memo to the presidents of the component institutions informing them of the signing of SB 11 by Gov. Greg Abbott. read memo

June 13, 2015: Senate Bill 11 Signed Into Law

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11, also known as “campus carry,” into law. read bill

June 1, 2015: Chancellor McRaven Responds to Legislation

UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven released a statement on the passage of SB 11. read statement

Campus Working Group

Committee Chair: Alex Piquero Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs

Hobson Wildenthal
President ad interim

Inga Musselman
Acting Provost

Andrew Blanchard
Dean of Undergraduate Education and Mary McDermott Cook Distinguished Chair for Undergraduate Education and Research

Ellen Safley
Dean of McDermott Library

Marion Underwood
Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Provost, Ashbel Smith Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Timothy Redman
Professor in the School of Arts and Humanities, Speaker of Faculty Senate

Naomi Emmett
Staff Council President

Gene Fitch
Vice President for Student Affairs

Matt Grief
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

Calvin Jamison
Vice President for Administration

Amanda Rockow
Vice President for Public Affairs

Susan Rogers
Vice President for University Advancement

Tim Shaw
University Attorney

Larry Zacharias
University Police Chief

Caitlynn Fortner
Student Government President

Milton Bernal
Comet Families Ambassador