All:

 

The VSU resolution was sent in the text of an email to the USGFC and reads as follows:

 

 

Valdosta state university

Faculty senate

 

Resolution

 

(April 2012, March 2016)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

A statement in opposition to the concealed carry of firearms on campus

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

WHEREAS,     universities are unique environments that function as institutions of higher learning with a clearly stated purpose to promote and facilitate the discovery, application and dissemination of knowledge and

 

WHEREAS,     allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms on university grounds or into classrooms threatens the progress of education and the expression of ideas by imposing lethal weaponry within a place that harbors vigorous and often heated academic discussion and

 

WHEREAS,     scientific research suggests human cognitive risk assessment capabilities are not fully developed before the age of twenty-five years-old, thus predisposing the majority population of college students to impaired judgment and vulnerabilities not equally represented in the population at large and

 

WHEREAS      Georgia educational and law enforcement professionals believe that prohibiting firearms on college campuses, except by campus police and trained security officers, is an essential element of those schools’ safety plans and

 

WHEREAS,     lawfully sanctioned concealed carry of firearms shifts the responsibility of protecting lives from the university police department to private individuals who lack sufficient proper training and

 

WHEREAS,     the University System of Georgia administration, faculty, student groups and law enforcement have repeatedly opposed measures allowing firearms on campus and

 

RECOGNIZING, legislation requiring the university to adopt policies that allow the concealed carry of firearms on university grounds will impose additional monetary responsibilities, which are not met by state funding, and will likely be paid through increased tuition and fees and

 

WHEREAS,     no provisions have been made for the safe storage of firearms in resident halls or classrooms, nor have administrative or disciplinary policies been drafted regarding theft, accidental discharge, unintentional shootings or the likely increase of firearm use while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and

 

WHEREAS,     the Faculty Senate of Valdosta State University is responsible for being a voice for students, faculty, staff and administration personnel on issues relating to campus safety and general well-being and

 

WHEREAS,     all students, faculty, staff and administration personnel at VSU have the right to learn and work in a safe environment free from concealed firearms and

 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of Valdosta State University opposes any bill put forth by the State of Georgia that could prohibit universities and community colleges from banning the carrying of firearms by non-law enforcement officials on the grounds and in any building of universities and community colleges in the State of Georgia.