RCC bans concealed firearms on campus

Kevin Opsahl, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·2 min read
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Nov. 22—In a move similar to a handful of other public institutions locally and throughout the state, Rogue Community College has banned concealed handguns from its property.

The RCC Board of Education Nov. 15 approved an administrative procedure stating, in part, that "possession of firearms, including by a concealed handgun license holder ... is strictly prohibited," with exceptions, including law enforcement, a person called on them to assist in making an arrest or a retired police officer.

RCC employees who violate the policy could face disciplinary action, including termination. Students, meanwhile, are subject to the code of conduct and its administrative procedure if they're found on campus with a concealed handgun, without an approved reason.

Aside from outlining what weapons are allowed on campus, the new administrative procedure gives RCC President Randy Weber the authority to approve use of weapons on campus for instructional purposes — though it does not list examples — and goes on to state that pepper spray and electric stun guns are allowed on campus as long as they are not misused.

"We're in the process of converting all of our board policies to align with recommendations from (the Oregon Community College Association)," Weber wrote in an email to the Mail Tribune. "The weapons on campus policy was next in line with rescinding the old and adopting new. We have been doing this for quite some time."

Signs will be posted throughout RCC's Table Rock, Grants Pass and Medford campuses informing people concealed handguns are not allowed.

Weber declined to elaborate on why he and the RCC leadership chose to ban concealed handguns from campus — a power afforded to them by Senate Bill 554, a bill passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. The law took effect Sept. 25, 2021.

The new RCC board policy, which gives Weber power to enforce the administrative procedure, goes as far as to say the college "is committed to preventing workplace violence and maintaining a safe work and learning environment."

RCC is the latest educational institution in the valley and throughout the state to ban concealed handguns from its campuses. Ashland School District instituted a ban over the summer while the chairman of Phoenix-Talent School Board has said he is researching the issue and SB 554.

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.