Our college is working on a very important task, among the most challenging of my
career—developing a policy and implementing Senate Bill 11 (SB11), Texas’ campus
carry legislation. The law goes into effect for community colleges on August 1.
I have appointed a Campus Carry Implementation Task Force composed of
representatives from each ACC campus and key college stakeholder groups. This
group is working with our constituencies to develop thoughtful recommendations on how
best to implement the law at ACC.
An important part of this process is communication. The task force created a website
called Campus Carry Planning at ACC to keep you up-to-date on the process. You will
be able to find the latest information, ask questions, and participate in campus forums,
which will be scheduled this spring and available to all through live streaming online.
The law is clear. It is our mission to abide by the law in a manner that makes the safety
and security of our community a top priority. We recognize that there are many points
of view when it comes to this topic. I encourage you to provide input in a brief survey
that the task force will issue in the coming days.
As you are likely aware, four-year institutions implemented campus carry last fall. We
are learning from their process, working closely with our community college partners,
and following legal opinions by the Texas attorney general to ensure we consider every
possibility.
I am proud of the hard work and success that I see across ACC daily. We have worked
to create an atmosphere that promotes learning, diverse ideas, and mutual respect. I
believe this extraordinary sense of community and purpose will help us make
wise choices as we develop and approve policies and procedures that impact us all.
Regards,
Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Austin Community College District