BOR114_Weapons Policy

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POLICY NAME POLICY NO. APPROVING BODY RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT
Weapons Policy BOR114 Board of Regents Student Affairs & Enrollment Management– Campus Police
EFFECTIVE DATE VERSION NO. REVISION/REVIEW DATE DOWNLOAD PDF
24-SEP-2012 01 15-JUL-2024 BOR114_Weapons Policy

PURPOSE:
It is the intention of Western New Mexico University (WNMU) to provide a safe and harmonious setting where students, faculty, and staff can work and/or be on campus, without fear or threat of bodily harm.

Ref: Chapter I.19 in the Board of Regents Manual.

POLICY:
WNMU prohibits the possession, manufacture, transfer, sale, or use of any weapon on WNMU property or activities without the written approval from the WNMU President and the Chief of Campus Police.

EXCEPTIONS:

  1. Authorized law enforcement or military personnel who are engaged in their official duties while on WNMU property may possess those weapons that are legally permitted and that are expressly for those duties.
  2. Employees legally permitted to possess weapons for academic, research, or work-related duties, as explicitly approved by the WNMU President and the Chief of Campus Police.
  3. Additional contractors or security contracted for WNMU activities and premises under the direction and approval of the Chief of Campus Police.
  4. As part of an educational or athletic program as approved by the WNMU President, the Executive Athletics Director, and Campus Police.

DEFINITIONS:

WEAPONS
Weapons include but are not limited to, firearms (including paintball guns, pellet guns, air guns, and/or guns that shoot projectiles including antique and military “trophy firearms), ammunitions, gunpowder, fireworks, explosives, incendiary devices, knives (other than pocket knives not exceeding 4” in length when folded and kitchen utility knives not exceeding 7” in total length), switchblades, swords, spears clubs, spiked wrist bands, chains, brass knuckles, slingshots, bows and arrows, tasers, martial-arts devices used as weapons, or other items that may cause or be used for the purpose of causing intimidation, injury, or death.

INDIVIDUAL
An individual is an adjunct, contractor, dual enrollment student, faculty, member of the community, parent, staff, student, visitor, university affiliate, or any other person on WNMU premises or activities.

WNMU PREMISES
WNMU Premises include but are not limited to its campuses, grounds, facilities, workplaces, and/or vehicles. Premises further include any activity held on WNMU campuses, grounds, and/or facilities. Premises do not include property owned by WNMU and leased to others, unless specifically indicated in the leased agreements.

WNMU ACTIVITIES
WNMU Activities include sponsored or approved activities, events, or functions, on or off WNMU premises where dual enrollment students, employees, students, student workers, contractors/subcontractors, and university affiliates are under the jurisdiction of WNMU, or during any period of time WNMU employees are supervising students on behalf of WNMU or are otherwise engaged in WNMU business.

OBLIGATION TO REPORT WEAPONS
All adjuncts, contractors, dual enrollment students, faculty, staff, students, or university affiliates are required to report any observed individuals who possess, manufacture, transfer, sale, or use any weapons on WNMU property or activities. Please report this to Campus Police at 575-538-6231.

REPORTING VIOLATIONS TO THIS POLICY
Any individual who has knowledge that another person has a weapon on campus in violation of this policy has a duty to report the situation to the Campus Police immediately 5757-538-6231. Failure to report a violation constitutes a violation of the obligation to report. In case of emergencies, all individuals should call 911 for immediate assistance.

VIOLATIONS TO THIS POLICY
The failure to report a violation of the Weapons Policy is serious misconduct and is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from WNMU. Any student (including dual enrollment students) or employee (including adjunct, faculty, staff, and student workers) who assists any person in violating this policy will be subject to the same disciplinary action as if violating the policy. Any contractor found to have violated this policy or assisted any person in violating this policy will not be allowed to work for WNMU in any capacity in the future, and their contract may be cancelled. WNMU reserves the right to proceed with criminal and civil action for violations to this policy to the full extent allowed by State and Federal law.