UT Arlington

[lonewolf]

Dr. James Spaniolo has sent an email to students regarding the "official" position of the school on campus carry. Needless to say, he (they) are opposed. I won't post the text of the email here, as it contains nothing new, just the fact that it went out to everyone. 33,000+ students, faculty and staff members. In addition, the Chancellor of the UT system has sent a letter of recommendation to Governor Perry opposing the proposed legislation, citing the same type of arguments. Primarily they consist of the following:

1) Difficulty in recognizing good guy vs. bad guy should something happen
2) Hazardous materials in labs
3) On campus housing described as close quarters, with many CHL types in proximity, as well as secure storage issues in dorm facilities.

Anyone can access the information on the UTA website, just search for "president message" and that should get you there. The school website is http://www.uta.edu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Its the same text as the email that went out, with links to the letter sent to the governor.

Just thought I'd throw this tidbit out there to stir the pot a little.

Here are my thoughts:

1) The good guy will be cooperative with authorities
2) Be careful in those labs in which care is required.
3) Have better security in the dorms so things don't get stolen.

In addition I am not a child. I am responsible for my own actions (and inactions where applicable). I spend many hours a week on campus and DAYS go by without seeing hide nor hair of a campus police officer. While there are a lot of students enrolled, not all are on campus simultaneously, that is understood. However, this is not a HUGE sprawling campus, like UT Austin, or Texas A&M. For the size of enrollment, the campus proper is actually quite compact. Just where are the police? I see lawn crews and maintenance staff all day long, but using today as an example, not a single officer in car or on foot.

Its my understanding they are removing trash cans from faculty office spaces so the custodial staff will be relieved of the duty of emptying them, probably in order to reduce staffing for budgetary reasons. I wonder what kind of hits the campus police department is taking?

Please don't misconstrue this as a mindless rant, or that I am angry. Its just that I find the mindset of not allowing a mature adult (far above 21, in my case) the ability to effectively protect myself should the need arise.

I'll get off the soap box now and put it away for a little while......

[RPB]

Thank you.

[lonewolf]

RPB--PM sent.

[JCole]

I got that email, too.

I'm also led to wonder, if the campus is so safe the way it is, why do I get an email every week or so from the campus police regarding robberies or attempted robberies taking place?

Why does that giant message board in the north parking lot advertise free self-defense classes and citizen academies sponsored by the campus police?

Maybe, despite Dr. Spaniolo's feelings and beliefs, things aren't so great.

[chasfm11]

I attended the campus carry forum at UTA last week. It was very clear when Dr. Spaniolo spoke at that session, that he and others take the typical ostrich approach to any problems that exist on the UTA campus. The forum moderator spent 15 minutes in what I can only characterize at "talking down" to the assembled audience about how dumb an idea campus carry is. I'm sure glad that I don't have to attend one of his classes.

While modifications can be made through amendments to the campus carry bill, the impression that I was left with from one of the other professors at the forum was that the only choice that UTA would be given was whether or not to allow guns in residence halls. I believe that I heard a question about whether UTA could stop concealed carry in the classrooms and the response was "no." That professor went on to say that private colleges and universities (those that take no government money) and the 5 independent universities in Texas could make a total yes or no decision on campus carry. The public schools did not have that latitude in the original wording of the bill.

[lonewolf]

The independent universities are just that....independent. They can decide whatever they want. Post it how they want. Their business. Today I saw a guard loading an ATM machine on campus. He was armed. If this place is so safe, why bother carrying? The police are armed, if there are no guns here, why should they bother? I, on the other hand, qualified and licensed to carry under the state laws, am unable to protect myself. I get all those emails detailing incidents on and around the campus as well. Try telling the victims how safe they are. I would like to know what the police response time was, and what they are doing to reduce the number of incidents. Granted, some of them are at really bad hours and on the fringes of the campus, so common sense on the part of the victims may have not been at its highest, but I still don't like walking to my car out in the boonies after a night class, and I can assure you my situational awareness is at maximum...

[Glock 23]

the reason you never see any cops on campus is because they are in the parking lot. but not to deter theft...but to write tickets to broke college students for every minor parking infraction they can muster up. part of their financial earning activities on campus. exactly when did higher education become about earning profits over educational advancement?

[Glock 23]

most of the crime notices ive seen at UTA are off pecan st, by the bookstore i believe.
they also are unarmed offenders, or at least dont show a weapon. victims typically have a cell phone to their ear (a.k.a. zero sit. awareness).
i have yet to see an officer in that area. apparantly others have taken notice of that too

[lonewolf]

Maybe someone there read this. Today I saw two officers on a golf cart rolling around the sidewalks near the library and could have sworn I saw another over by the bookstore earlier......perhaps common sense is starting to prevail. Put the officers where the students are. Kinda makes sense, doesn't it? I'll still keep my eyes peeled all the time. Have to, otherwise some young person with his eyes focused on his electronic device will knock you down.....

[lonewolf]

Front page article in campus paper this morning. Go to http://www.theshorthorn.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to read about it.

[RPB]

Front page article in campus paper this morning. Go to http://www.theshorthorn.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to read about it.

Thank you very muchly

http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -uta-safer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and
http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -on-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

See where it was publicized here too and comments here:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/03 ... dents.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RPB]

Good old John Woods (Mohawk John) found the comment section.
http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -on-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MeMelYup]

Good old John Woods (Mohawk John) found the comment section.
http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -on-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You having fun yet?

[RPB]

Good old John Woods (Mohawk John) found the comment section.
http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -on-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You having fun yet?

I'd like to play badminton with John he's so funny when he hits the birdie way out of bounds.

I mean using a study on adolescents in Israel who suffered despair and who got ahold of guns, to try to make a point in a discussion about responsible law abiding CHLs in Texas who set a goal and achieved it ...

[Douva]

Good old John Woods (Mohawk John) found the comment section.
http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/n ... -on-campus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You having fun yet?

I'd like to play badminton with John he's so funny when he hits the birdie way out of bounds.

I mean using a study on adolescents in Israel who suffered despair and who got ahold of guns, to try to make a point in a discussion about responsible law abiding CHLs in Texas who set a goal and achieved it ...

Here is a response to that stupid Israeli army argument: http://www.campuscarry.com/2010/10/28/t ... t/#content" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;