70 percent of faculty and 55 percent of students were completely ignored on a decision that will change all of our lives.
70 and 55 percent.
We, the students, faculty and staff, were ignored by the Administration of Emporia State on the Conceal and Carry Policy enforced by the state. For the most part, we get it. It’s a state law. But what was the purpose of sending the survey to everyone on campus ESU wasn’t going to try and fight it? Furthermore, after the administration just handed down the orders from the state to the faculty senate, did faculty senate stand up? Did they say “no, we don’t want this?”
No. They did not.
For the past few months, faculty senate decided that it was better to expand on the definition of “conceal and carry” and what “proper storage” is than to use their voices when the rest of us couldn’t.
The law, which will go into effect July 1st, 2017, clearly states that concealed carry will be allowed on public universities unless “adequate security measures were taken.”
But “adequate security measures?” They didn’t even look into it that much.
Students have spoken up. Faculty have spoken up. But their voices weren’t represented in faculty senate meetings. They neglected their own student and faculty’s voices.
We at The Bulletin are the voice of the student and it’s finally time to rip open the administration and faculty senate for not listening for what the students (and faculty) wanted.
Students would probably feel their opinion and voices would be better understood if the administration had defined “adequate security” measures and actually looked into enacting them.
Instead, they started bickering about what “proper storage was.”
Faculty senate just followed administrations lead, without any regard to the survey.
Paying a little more in tuition fees to provide metal detectors and security at every door to every building on campus? That’s more than worth it. ESU administration may argue that the additional costs will drive prospective students away. But do you know what else drives students away? Allowing concealed carry on campus.
The bill documenting how ESU will respond to this law is due to the state in October. It’s right around the corner.
If you are a student or faculty who does not want conceal carry on campus, you must talk to your department’s senator(s) or to the President of the Faculty, Dr. Andrew Houchins.
Make it extremely well known that what the university is doing is wrong and is a violation of your opinion about this matter. Guns are a very serious and sticky situation filled with “what ifs,” especially when it violates the wants and needs of the student and faculty body of Emporia State.
Email Dr. Houchins at [email protected] to tell him how you feel about this situation unfolding.
We only have a month left.