3356-7-03. Possession of weapons on campus

(A) Policy statement. Youngstown state university prohibits carrying, displaying, or usage of any firearm and/or other weapon by all persons while on university property.

(B) Purpose. This policy is designed to create and maintain an environment that sustains the general health and well-being of students, employees, and visitors.

(C) Definitions.

(1) "All persons" applies to students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors, contractors, as well as any other individuals on university property.

(2) "University property" applies to all Youngstown state university owned or controlled property and all university-sponsored functions and events.

(3) "Firearms and weapons" include, but are not limited to, all firearms, whether functional, nonfunctional, or simulated; live ammunition; knives (any sharp-pointed or edged instrument except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, and maintenance); swords; metal or brass knuckles; air tasers; collapsible batons; clubs; blackjacks; ku batons; paintball guns; bb guns; pellet guns; slingshots; airsoft guns; nerf guns; and any other item modified from its original purpose to be used as a weapon. The Youngstown state university police chief, or designee, has the authority to modify or determine a weapon's status.

(D) Exceptions. The following persons or groups shall be an exception to the policy and are permitted the utilization of weapons under certain circumstances:

(1) Any federal, state, local and/or Youngstown state university law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a firearm in the normal scope of their duties shall be permitted to carry one while on campus.

(2) Faculty members with prior authorization from their department chair and the Youngstown state university ("YSU") police chief shall be permitted to transport and/or display certain prohibited weapons for educational or artistic usage provided they abide by the following conditions:

(a) Notification to the YSU police chief must be made three days prior to the intended usage date. The weapon(s) will be subject to inspection by the YSU police department.

(b) Functional firearms and live ammunition are strictly prohibited.

(c) The weapon must be contained in a case while being transported and must not be removed unless inside a classroom or office.

(d) Any simulated/nonfunctional firearm used for artistic or theatrical purposes must be inspected by the YSU police prior to its intended use. The usage of the weapon must be confined to rehearsal spaces, the theater, and the immediate vicinity of the theater and/or exhibition space.

(3) Any member of the United States military and/or student of the military science program acting in their official capacity shall be permitted to utilize such weapons as prescribed by their own policy.

(4) Any employee of Youngstown state university who is employed as a maintenance worker, technician, groundskeeper, storekeeper, parking employee, vendor, contractor, or other position not listed above whose normal duties require the use of knives, utility knives, leatherman tools, or other cutting instruments shall be permitted to possess, carry, and use those instruments while engaged in his or her normal course of duties.

(5) Any Youngstown state university police academy instructor employed as a law enforcement officer or who is a retired law enforcement officer, who is within the scope of his or her duties, shall be permitted the use of such weapons.

(6) Any Youngstown state university police academy cadet under the instruction of YSU police academy instructors shall be permitted the use of such weapons provided or approved by the YSU peace officer training academy and/or the Youngstown state university police department.

(7) Any instructor of, or student enrolled in, the marksmanship class shall be permitted the utilization of firearms provided by Youngstown state university while on the range during class hours.

(E) Violations.

(1) Any student, faculty member, or staff member who knowingly violates this policy could be subject to the appropriate disciplinary process. This includes student discipline and/or the process for discipline set forth in the respective collective bargaining agreements.

(2) Any visitor who knowingly violates the policy could be barred from campus property.

Replaces: 3356:1-17-21

Effective: 2/6/2012
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3356
Rule Amplifies: 3356
Prior Effective Dates: 6/16/03