WVU Faculty Senate approves syllabus statement for profs who don't want guns in their offices when Campus Carry takes effect
May 6—MORGANTOWN — Campus Carry takes effect at WVU — and campuses across the state — on July 1. WVU's Faculty Senate on Monday approved a statement that faculty members who don't want guns brought into their offices can put into their course syllabus so students know of that policy on the first day of class.
The statement cites the Campus Carry rule adopted by the Board of Governors in April and says: "This statement serves as notice that my office is a sole occupancy office, and concealed pistols and revolvers are prohibited in it. Students visiting my office, whether scheduled or unscheduled, are required to appropriately secure any firearms in their possession before entering the office premises."
Dean of Students Corey Farris also showed the senators a sign approved by WVU administration that faculty can post outside their offices. It shows a handgun inside a red forbidden circle, with text under it in all caps that says NO CONCEALED CARRY. A QR code beneath the text links WVU's Campus Carry website.
The Campus Self Defense Act sets the parameters for people with concealed handgun permits to carry on public college and university campuses and includes directives for weapons storage in dorms and other buildings, and exceptions where the schools may still prohibit weapons. The law listed 12 exceptions and the rule adopted last month adopts and describes those exceptions.
Farris reviewed those exceptions, which include sole-occupancy offices ; events with a capacity of 1, 000 or more people at Puskar Stadium, the Coliseum and Clay Theatre ; WVU daycares ; areas used by WVU Police or other law enforcement ; and in on-campus residence halls (except common areas such as lounges, dining areas and study areas).
Various campus safety subcommittees are preparing for July 1, the senators learned. One is a Morgantown Partnership subcommittee that is working with the city to identify safety concenrs for the downtown area.
Other business Earlier in the day, the BOG approved a rule governing the presidential search process. Faculty Senate chair Frankie Tack told the senators that faculty will have three seats on the search committee. Senators approved a slate of six nominees and six alternate nominees to submit to the Ad Hoc Governance Committee. The BOG will approve the full committee at a May 29 special meeting.
Erin Newmeyer, WVU associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, and John Chaump, with Barnes & Noble, explained a new book program for students to the senators. It's called First Day Complete and is intended as a money-saving measure for students, allowing them to rent the course materials for a flat fee: $360 for full-time students, $168 for part-time, 11 hours or less.
It will be opt-out, meaning students will be automatically enrolled unless they opt out. It will take effect for fall semester and students will have until Aug. 30 to opt out. Chaump said B &N has had the program for seven years and about 200 institutions are participating. Senators raised a number of concerns — among them whether this would discourage use of free open educational resources. Chaump and Newmeyer said OERs are not discouraged or prohibited.
Email: dbeard @dominionpost.com
