The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Illinois FIREARMS ACT “conceal and carry.” The Act authorizes public and private universities to promulgate policy regulating the use of weapons on campuses. The President is proposing the adoption of a University Conceal and Carry Policy and an amendment to the current Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.
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Concealed Carry -University Policy
Under Public Act 098-0063 –Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act
I. Statement of Purpose
University of St. Francis (hereafter referred to as “USF” or “University”) hereby establishes the USF Concealed Carry Policy (hereafter referred to as “Policy”) pursuant to the 2013 Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (098-0063) and its enabling regulations. USF is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the USF community and its guests. In support of this commitment, USF expressly prohibits the ability to carry firearms or weapons on the USF Illinois campuses in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ authority to promulgate rules and regulations and the 2013 Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
II. Persons Covered by this Policy
This Policy applies to all employees, students, persons conducting business, and/or visitors to the Illinois USF campuses. Visitors include, but are not limited to, prospective students, former students and their respective families.
III. Prohibited Activities
A. Weapons or Firearms
USF maintains a Weapons and Firearms-Free Campus. “Campus” includes, but is not limited to, the USF main campus at 500 Wilcox St.; the Rialto at 102 N. Chicago St.; St. Bonaventure Hall at 16 W. Van Buren St.; St. Clare Campus at 1550 Plainfield Rd.; and sites, whether owned, leased or controlled by USF, where USF programs, activities and classes are held. No person covered by this policy, unless authorized by law or specifically exempted by federal or state law or USF regulation, is authorized to possess a weapon or firearm while engaged in USF-related business or activities.
It is the Policy of USF to prohibit:
- Any person covered by this Policy from possessing a weapon or firearm on property owned, leased or controlled by USF, even if that person has a valid federal or state license to possess a weapon or firearm.
- Any person covered by this Policy from displaying, brandishing, discharging or otherwise using any and all weapons or firearms, including concealed weapons or firearms.
B. Exceptions
The provisions of this Policy do not apply to the possession of weapons or firearms in USF vehicles, USF buildings, on USF grounds, or at any USF-sponsored activity if the possession of weapons or firearms is related to one of the following exceptions:
- The weapon or firearm is used for the purpose of the instruction or curriculum of an officially recognized program, including, but not limited to military science and law enforcement training programs.
- The weapon or firearm is carried by a sworn law enforcement officer from an external agency conducting official business at USF.
- The weapon or firearm is specifically authorized by the President of the University.
IV. Locations at Which Policy Applies
For purposes of this Policy, “property of USF” includes any University owned or controlled buildings and grounds, athletic fields, artistic or entertainment venues, officially recognized university-related organization property, whether owned or leased, and any real property, including parking areas, sidewalks, and common areas whether owned, leased or operated by USF. This Policy also applies to all University-related organization property whether leased or owned by USF and all USF-officially-recognized organization property whether leased or owned by USF. USF’s Department of Safety and Security shall determine placement of clearly and conspicuously posted signs at all building and entrances stating that concealed firearms are prohibited. Signs shall be in accordance with the design approved by the Illinois State Police.
• Parking
A weapon or firearm may be transported into an unrestricted parking area within a vehicle if the weapon or firearm and its ammunition remain locked in a case out of plain view within the parked vehicle. “Case” is defined as a glove compartment or console that completely encases the weapon or firearm and its ammunition, the trunk of the vehicle, or a weapon or firearm carrying box, shipping box or other container. The weapon or firearm may only be removed for the limited purpose of storage or retrieval from within the trunk of the vehicle. A weapon or firearm must first be unloaded before removal from the vehicle.
V. Enforcement
Any individual visiting or conducting business on the property of USF found to have carried a weapon or firearm onto the property of USF knowingly, or under circumstances in which the person should have known that he or she was in possession of a weapon or firearm, may be banned from the USF Campus by the Department of Safety and Security. Any student found to have carried a weapon or firearm onto the property of USF knowingly, or found to be carrying a weapon under circumstances in which the student should have known that he or she was in possession of a weapon or firearm, may be subject to discipline up to and including, but not limited to, expulsion from USF. Any employee found to have carried a weapon or firearm onto the property of USF knowingly, or found to be carrying a weapon or firearm under circumstances in which the employee should have known that he or she was in possession of a weapon or firearm, may be subject to discipline up to and including, but not limited to, immediate termination of employment, subject to such other employment rules or regulations in place. Any individual found to have carried a weapon or firearm onto the property of USF knowingly, or found to be carrying a weapon or firearm under circumstances in which the individual should have known that he or she was in possession of a weapon or firearm, may be subject to administrative action by USF and possible arrest and prosecution. Violations of this Policy may result in referrals to external law enforcement agencies.
APPROVED by action of the Board of Trustees February 13, 2014
