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Weapons on Campus Policy

Weapons on Campus

This policy specifically prohibits the possession and use of weapons on campus and proves exceptions as appropriate to campus operations.

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, faculty and staff, as well as to University guests, visitors and contractors. 

Policy

1.0 Scope

This policy applies to all students, faculty and staff, as well as to University guests, visitors and contractors. 

2.0 Definitions

The following definitions apply for purposes of this policy.

2.1 - "University property" means all University property, whether owned, leased or controlled by the University, including but not limited to buildings, grounds, and University owned vehicles and including all buildings and grounds on the Due Santi campus in Rome. For purposes of this policy only, University property does not include residences leased from UD Property Management (Tower Village), or privately owned vehicles located on or in University owned parking lots, streets or driveways to the extent that the privately owned vehicle is being used to store or transport a weapon and the individual is in lawful possession of the weapon. Weapons not being stored or transported in a private vehicle by a permit holder remain subject to the prohibitions of the policy.

2.2 - "University sponsored event" means any event that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the University whether or not the event takes places on University property, except that "university sponsored events" shall not include events hosted at a personal residence not owned by the University of Dallas. 

2.3 - "Firearm" means any device that shoots a bullet, pellet, flare, tranquilizer, spear, dart or other projectile, whether loaded or unloaded, including those powered by CO2. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, air guns, dart guns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, shot guns, cannons and any ammunition for such devices.

2.4 - "Weapon" means any device that is designed to, or traditionally used to inflict harm. This includes but is not limited to: (1) firearms, slingshots, switchblades, daggers, bows and arrows, hand grenades, hunting knives, explosives; (2) any object that could be reasonably construed as a weapon or that is intended to be used to inflict bodily injury; or, (3) any object legally controlled as a weapon or treated as a weapon by law.

2.5 -  "Explosives" means any combustible capable of causing serious injury including but not limited to firecrackers, black powder, dynamite, plastic explosives or blasting caps. 

3.0 Weapons prohibited on University property and at University sponsored events

All students, faculty, staff, guests, visitors and contractors are strictly prohibited from possessing weapons, including firearms and explosives, anywhere on University property or off university property while attending University sponsored events. The prohibitions applies regardless of whether any federal or state license has been issued to the possessor. Anyone possessing, manufacturing, transferring, selling or using a weapon other than those subject to specific exception as set forth below will be asked to immediately remove the weapon from University property and/or the University sponsored event.

4.0 Exceptions

The prohibitions of this policy apply except to the following:

4.1 - Commissioned law enforcement officers or authorized military personnel, in performance of their official duties.

4.2 - Persons authorized by their employer, and duly licensed and legally permitted under the laws in which the University property is located to possess weapons, (such as employees of armored car services that collect or transport cash, checks or other valuables). 

4.3 - Individuals engaged in any activity where a particular weapon is required as part of the activity, (for example theatrical events, martial arts classes) who have obtained explicit, advance written authorization from the Chief of the University of Dallas Police Department.

4.3.1 - Individuals seeking an exception in this category must submit an advance, written request to the Director of Campus Security. The Director will review the request in consultation with appropriate members of the University administration and will respond to the requestor in writing, within a reasonable period of time. Record of specific exceptions will be maintained in the Office of Campus Security and any approved exceptions should also be available to be presented by the person in possession of the weapon upon request by any campus official. 

 

5.0 Obligation to report

Any member of the campus community who observes an individual possessing, transferring, selling or using a weapon and who reasonably believes that the individual has not been specifically authorized by the University should immediately report to the Chief of the University of Dallas Police Department. 

6.0 Corrective action and intervention by law enforcement

Students in violation of the policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Faculty and staff violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Guests, visitors and contractors found in violation of this policy may be permanently prohibited from returning to campus for any reason. Individuals found in possession of weapons in violation of this policy may be turned over to local law enforcement for further criminal action in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction.

 

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