THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014
PAGE 7A
University prepares for campus concealed carry
MADDIE FARBER
@Maddie FarberIDK
According to the Kansas Board of Regents, University building assessments were recently completed to prepare for concealed carry on campus by 2017.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MULLINIX
The University has recently completed building assessments to prepare for the implementation of concealed carry on campus by 2017, said Breeze Richardson, director of communications for the Kansas Board of Regents. There are 199 buildings on campus, according to KU Information.
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In April 2013, Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a measure to allow weapons into public buildings that don't have certain types of security measures, such as metal detectors or trained guards. Kansas is now one of seven states with provisions allowing for concealed carry on public college campuses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Although all six state universities in Kansas were granted a four-year exemption, the Kansas Board of Regents directed universities to conduct building-by-building assessments at their campuses.
"Each university is examining each building, assessing its use(s), number of public entrances, etc," Richardson said. "Any building in which the university would like to prohibit firearms will need to have adequate security in place, meaning metal detectors and security guards on all public entrances."
Stadiums and other athletic facilities, dorms, childcare centers and research labs where flammable chemicals are in use are some examples of places where discussions have been taking place regarding what the best decision might be, she said.
Unless the law changes, the current exception from the state law regarding concealed carry will expire in 2017.
Richardson said. This would mean that those with concealed carry permits would be allowed to carry their weapons on university campuses after that time. Richardson also said building assessments are the first step to making this law a reality.
"Coming out of assessments [of buildings on campus] there will be pretty serious conversations about what next steps will look like," Richardson said. "Unless the law changes, we will have to continue with conceal and carry on campuses."
"I think that I would trust whoever had a permit, but it's just kind of strange to know that there are guns around me."
SARAH MILLER Senior from Olathe
Richardson said all six state universities will present their annual safety reports to the Governance Committee of the Board of Regents this month through January. However, this year is different because reports will include a building audit that was conducted in order to better understand what the security of these buildings looks like. The presentations will be completed in February, she said.
"There is the possibility that the Board of Regents could appeal to the state legislature regarding the permanent exemption of certain types of buildings, but no decision to do so has been made at this time," Richardson said. "Learning more about our 850-plus buildings across the six campuses and their uses is where the process is at now."
As director of state relations at the University, Lindsey Douglas said her role in this process is to continue monitoring changes to state statutes and educating lawmakers on the effect this legislation will have on the University.
Douglas said with the potential for concealed carry, funding for metal detectors and personnel has come into question.
"At this time, no state funding has been appropriated to fund additional security measures for university buildings," Douglas said.
"Once recommendations and plans for implementation are finalized, funding for improvements will have to be identified."
For many University students, the thought of firearms allowed on campus is unsettling. This is not unusual, considering in 2013 there were at least 27 shootings on or near college campuses around the nation, according to a Huffington Post article from January. Eighteen people were reported dead due to the shootings and many others were injured, the Huffington Post reported.
The thought of concealed
carry permits on campus creates mixed emotions for Sarah Miller, a senior from Olathe.
"I think that I would trust whoever had a permit, but it's just kind of strange to know that there are guns around me," Miller said.
For other students like Sam Benson, a junior from Overland Park, the issue seems to be more black and white.
"I think allowing concealed carry on campus is a poor idea," Benson said. "Students and staff would be overly aware of the fact that potentially anyone possesses a deadly weapon. On
a college campus — especially on a college campus - that will be detrimental to the perceived safety of everyone studying and working there."
On the concern for safety, Richardson said, "As the governing board of the university, the Board of Regents is an active participant in the conversation regarding campus safety."
With more on-campus safety regarding concealed carry, the University Office of Public Safety was not available for comment at this time.
Edited by Alyssa Scott
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Lawrence ranked No.13 for top college towns
MAEGAN BULL
@Maegan Bull
Last month the American Institute of Economic Research released its annual college destination index, ranking Lawrence No. 13 out of 20 for best college towns in the U.S. — the first college town on the list being Ithaca, N.Y., with Logan, Utah-Idaho ranked No. 20.
According to its website, AIER ranks the top 75 metro areas for college students in the U.S.
"The index compares each location's overall economic and academic environment, quality of life and employment opportunities," according to the website.
AIER focused specifically on four different categories: student life, culture, economic health and opportunity.
"KU benefits greatly from being located in Lawrence, as the community is very attractive to prospective students and employees," said Jack Martin, director of strategic communications at the University. "So for
Lawrence to be recognized as a top college town is positive news, as the future of Lawrence and KU are closely connected."
For sophomore Logan Williams the results of the study were not surprising.
"I have always been a KU fan since I was a child and I love the campus," he said. "I knew that Lawrence has a fun night life too."
Edited by Logan Schlossberg
OTHER LISTS THAT RANKED KU
Thebestschools.org added the University to the list of 100 best U.S. Colleges and Universities
Business Insider ranked the University No. 17 on the 2014 list of 20 most fun colleges in the U.S.
Princeton Review ranked Kansas No.1 for students packing the stadium
US News ranked Kansas No. 50 on the list of Top Public Schools for 2015
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