St Cloud State University (SCSU) prohibits possession of weapons and does not tolerate acts of violence on university leased, owned, or operated properties. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, threats, harassment, hazing, bullying, assault/sexual assault, stalking, property damage or defacement, intentionally injuring another person, or retaliation against those who, in good faith, report acts of violence or weapons violations. St. Cloud State University will take measures towards prevention, reduction, and management of such threats or acts that have or may occur on university property. This policy covers prohibitions regarding weapons and applies to acts of violence by or against employees, students, visitors, contracted workers, temporary workers, vendors, or other third parties.
This policy is in addition to, and does not amend or replace other statues, policies, procedures, or contract language about violence applicable to the University including, but not limited to the Minnesota State 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy, Minnesota State Procedure 1C.0.1 Employee Code of Conduct, Minnesota State Procedure 1C.02 Respectful Workplace, and SCSU Student Code of Conduct. Third parties who have executed agreements with the University for use of space may have provisions that are more restrictive about violence, firearms, or enforcement of other university policies.
Violations of this policy by students or employees are subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion or termination from employment. Pursuant to Minnesota Statue 15.86, this policy does not create any civil liability on the part of the State of Minnesota. Violations of this policy by vendors and contractors will be addressed as specified in the agreements between them and the university. St. Cloud State University reserves the right to restrict individuals employed by vendors and contractors from campus property.
Weapons Regulations
St. Cloud State University prohibits the possession of any weapon on university leased, owned, or operated properties by any person.
The following exceptions apply:
- Licensed peace and/or law enforcement officers in the jurisdiction of university properties may possess weapons to the extent they are legally permitted.
- In the course of work application, faculty and staff may possess and use implements to complete course work or job tasks such as a knife longer than 3 inches for food preparation.
- Weapons related to an academic use or special event/performance, such as a prop for a theatrical show or a history lesson on weapons from a particular time period, are permitted if approved in writing by the director of public safety. An unloaded firearm or sheathed/shielded weapon may be transported directly between a parking area and the location authorized for its use.
- Weapons related to an academic use or special event/performance may be displayed on university properties in a secure and safe case or cabinet. Written pre-approval from the director of public safety is required whenever weapons are part of a display. An unloaded firearm or sheathed/shielded weapon may be transported directly between a parking area and the location authorized for its use.
- Permit to Carry (In accordance with the Minnesota Citizens’ Personal Protection Act of 2003 and MN Stat. 624.714):
- Lawful possession or carry of firearms is permitted in a parking area or parking facility.
- Employees: Employees who are acting in the scope and course of their employment, even those holding a permit to carry, are prohibited from carrying firearms. Employees may securely stow firearms, for which they have a permit, in their vehicle in a university parking area. An employee may also use a personal vehicle in which a firearm is stored while acting in the scope and course of employment. Employees who are on university property outside the scope and course of their employment, are treated as visitors (see “Visitors” below).
- Students: Students, even those holding a permit to carry, are prohibited from bringing firearms on university leased, owned, or operated properties. Students may securely stow firearms, for which they have a permit, in their vehicle in a university parking area.
- Visitors: Visitors with a lawful permit to carry are permitted to do so on university leased, owned, or operated properties. Special provisions apply to areas of the University that are leased by outside parties (see “Private Lessees” below).
- Private Lessees: A lessee or tenant of a university facility is one who has exclusive rights to possession and use of space in a facility or on land for a determined amount of time in exchange for payment of rent. This does not include short-term facility users such as those renting a sales kiosk for the day or renting a conference room for a 2-hour meeting. Rather, it refers to extended use tenants such as the banks and/or credit unions that occupy space at Atwood Memorial Center. Since they have exclusive rights, they are permitted, within the law, to determine what restrictions on firearms apply to the premises leased (but not the building as a whole) and to post a prohibition as permitted by Minnesota law.