The University is committed to maintaining a safe environment in which students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free to learn, live, work and visit the University campus or a facility without fear of violence. To carry out this mission, the University prohibits the use or possession of firearms, weapons, electrical devices, and explosives on its property, except as provided in this policy.

A person shall not possess any firearm or weapon anywhere upon property governed by the University, except:

-University Police Officers, those authorized to assist University Police Officers with training and other legally established law enforcement officers acting in the course of and scope of employment

-University Police Academy Director or their authorized designee with weapons specifically owned and used for educational training by the University.  

-Authorized University construction-related activities.

A “weapon” shall include but is not limited to:

1. any firearm,
2. any device from which an electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam may be directed that is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure or kill,
3. any other instrument or device of any kind that operates based on spring, gas or air, contains explosive materials, or
4. any instrument or device, such as a knife, that has a sharp blade greater than three inches.

A person shall not use any firearm, gun, weapon, chemical, biological, radioactive, or other dangerous substance or compound to injure, molest, or coerce another, anywhere upon property governed by the University, except for a self-defense spray or foam for protection of a person or property under the circumstances that would justify the person’s use of physical force. 

Additionally, a person shall not use or possess fireworks (unless approved in advance by a Vice President for use at a University event), explosives, toxic or dangerous chemicals; other lethal weapons, equipment, chemicals or materials are prohibited anywhere upon property governed by the University.

Questions about weapons should be directed to the University Department of Public Safety.