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Tragedy in Oregon

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It’s Friday, and among other things, that means it is time for my weekly blog.  I had begun work on a blog highlighting a few of the impressive things going on around the UT System this week when I learned of the horrific shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon.  While Roseburg, Oregon is more than 1,500 miles from the nearest UT System institution, a shooting on any college campus hits close to home for all of us in higher education.  So I want to send my sincere condolences to all those affected by this senseless tragedy.  I have lost men in combat and while that is painful, it pales in comparison to losing innocent students who are attending class, hoping to make a better life for themselves.

On this sad day, let me just share a couple of important thoughts.

First and foremost, and as I have said many times in recent months, I consider the safety of our students, faculty, and staff my number one priority.  I receive daily reports from Michael Heidingsfield, Director of the UT System Police, and I can’t tell you how impressed I have been by the skill, courage, and professionalism of his team. 

The men and women devoted to the safety of our campuses are the equal of any law enforcement professionals in the state of Texas, and they have my unwavering support. 

This tragedy comes at a time when the issue of guns on campus is on all of our minds, and as we, as a system, are working through the implications of SB 11, the concealed carry law that takes effect for college campuses in August 2016.  I take this deliberation with students and faculty very, very seriously.

For the last several weeks, Deputy Chancellor David Daniel has been chairing the UT System Working Group for Concealed Carry.  The group, which includes one person from each UT System campus and one from each of several UT System Administration offices, has been meeting once a week to share information and talk about how best to approach the implementation of SB 11.

Much attention has been paid to the fact that I opposed SB 11, but I want you to know – in no uncertain terms – that I am very confident that we are going to be able to comply with the law in a way that maximizes safety and, importantly, minimizes changes to how our campuses look and feel.

In the meantime, let’s keep the victims of yesterday’s tragedy, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for reading.  Have a safe weekend.