Firearms

Policy Number: 
IV.05.05
Reason for Policy: 

By Oregon law, the Board is charged with the responsibility to establish policies and standards that govern the University of Oregon. In order to achieve the university's teaching, research, and public service missions. The board has delegated policy‐making authority to the president, given the specific authorization language in SB 554 (2021).

Entities Affected by this Policy: 

Entire campus community, including students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Responsible Office: 

For questions about this policy, please contact the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration: (541) 346-3003, vpfa@uoregon.edu

Enactment & Revision History: 

14 May 2024 - Policy revisions approved by President Scholz.

09 May 2016 - Technical revisions made by the university secretary

01 July 2014 - Became a University of Oregon policy by operation of law

02 March 2012 - Approved by the State Board of Higher Education

Policy: 
  1. Policy Statement:
    1. Pursuant to the university’s authority to manage its affairs and control its property and in recognition of its obligation to provide policies that support a safe environment for its students, employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors, the university prohibits individuals from possessing or using firearms on university‐owned or ‐controlled property, except as described in Section 5 of this policy.
  1. Definitions
    1. Firearm. A gun, whether loaded or unloaded, discharges shot or a projectile by means of an explosive, a gas, compressed air, or mechanical force. By way of example and without limitation, firearms include shotguns, rifles, handguns, pellet guns, BB guns, flare guns, Airsoft‐ type guns, and other similar devices.
  1. RESPONSIBLITIES and PROCEDURES
    1. Prohibition. Except as allowed under Section 5.2, the university prohibits the possession and use of firearms on university‐owned or‐controlled property.
    1. Exceptions. Notwithstanding the general prohibition on the use and possession of firearms on university‐owned or‐controlled property, the following categories of individuals may use and possess firearms on university‐owned or‐controlled property to the extent set forth in this Section 5.2 and provided each such individual is otherwise authorized by law to do so:
      1. Law enforcement officers. Police and peace officers, licensed with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training or equivalent state or federal authority authorized to license the possession of firearms by law enforcement officers.
      2. Security personnel. Security personnel under contract with the university while acting in the course and scope of their official duties and in compliance with a safety protocol approved by the Chief of Police or their designee, provided such use and possession is explicitly authorized by the contract and such contract provision has been approved by the Chief of Police or their designee.
      3. United States Armed Forces.
        1. Active and reserve military: An active or reserve member of the military forces of this state or the United States when engaged in the performance of duty.
        2. Military training: Students, employees, and visitors while participating in a university recognized or U.S. sanctioned military training including, but not limited to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs.
      4. Academic research. Employees acting within the scope of an academic research plan that has been approved by their dean and the Chief of Police or their designee, and that includes safety and training protocols. Before approving the plan, the dean and the Chief of Police or their designee must be satisfied that
        1. The plan minimizes the presence of firearms on university‐owned or ‐ controlled property to the extent reasonably possible, and
        2. That there is an established need to possess or use the firearm for or in support of such academic research.
      1. Authorized under ORS 166.370(3)(j). Members of the general public as authorized under ORS 166.370(3)(j)
      2. Possession by residents within a family housing dwelling or any other living arrangement governed by Oregon landlord‐tenant law. Residence halls and other living arrangements not governed by Oregon landlord‐tenant law are expressly excluded from this exception. Possession of firearms by such residents outside the dwelling is subject to the restrictions of this policy.
      1. Non-enumerated exceptions. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration or their designee in consultation with the Vice President for Safety and Risk Services and Chief of Police may permit other temporary exceptions not listed in this policy if in the best interest of the university. A request for an exception under this section must be made in writing. Any such approved use must have a safety protocol that is approved by the Chief of Police or their designee.
      2. Revocation of permissions. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration or their designee, in consultation with the Vice President for Safety and Risk Services and Chief of Police, may revoke permission for the otherwise allowable possession or use of a firearm on university‐owned or ‐controlled property if in the best interest of the university and to the extent not prohibited by law.
    1. No Affirmative Defense for Concealed Carry Licensees. Pursuant to the authority granted in ORS 166.377, the affirmative defense described in ORS 166.370(3)(g), concerning persons licensed to carry a concealed handgun under ORS 166.291 and 166.292, does not apply to the possession of firearms on the grounds controlled by the university. In furtherance of this policy, the university will:
      1. Post a clearly visible sign at all normal points of entry to university‐owned or ‐ controlled property, providing notice of this provision and indicating that the affirmative defense described in ORS 166.370 (3)(g) does not apply to the property identified pursuant to Section 4.3.2.
      2. Post a notice on the university’s website identifying all university owned or controlled property subject to this provision.

D. Review

1. This policy will be reviewed from time-to-time, but no less than once a biennium, for amendment or revision.

Chapter/Volume: 
  • Volume IV: Finance, Administration and Infrastructure
  • Chapter 5: Public Safety and Risk Services