Section 3356-7-03 - Deadly weapons restrictions(A) Policy statement. Persons entering the property of Youngstown state university (university) must comply with all laws and university policies and rules governing weapons.(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) Scope. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors, contractors, and any other individual on or utilizing university owned or leased property. University owned or leased vehicles are covered by this policy at all times regardless of whether they are on university property.
(D) Definitions. (1) "University property" - all university owned or leased property, including but not limited to residence halls, grounds, buildings, facilities, and parking lots.(2) "Deadly weapon" - any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon. (See section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.)(E) Restrictions. (1) The illegal possession, use, or unauthorized storage of a deadly weapon, firearm, explosive device, incendiary device, ballistic knife, or dangerous ordnance (collectively referred to as "deadly weapons" for purposes of this policy), as defined by section 2923.11 of the Revised Code, is strictly prohibited on all university property.(2) In addition to this policy, university students are also subject to restrictions within the student code of conduct, housing agreements, event policies, and other applicable university policies.(3) Disabled weapons, realistic replicas or simulated/nonfunctional firearms are strictly prohibited.(4) The use of any deadly or disabled weapon or realistic replica of such in a manner that harms or threatens persons or property is strictly prohibited, even if legally possessed.(5) Live ammunition is strictly prohibited.(6) See paragraph (G) of this rule for policy exemptions.(F) Conceal carry weapons license (CCW). All persons who enter university property are prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun/firearm, as prescribed under Ohio law, or prohibited weapon of any kind onto university property. This prohibition applies to all employees, students, faculty, visitors, customers and contractors on university property. Possession of a valid concealed weapon permit authorized by the state of Ohio is not an exemption under this policy. An individual who has a valid CCW permit when on any university property must legally secure their firearm in a locked vehicle. University owned or leased vehicles may not be used to secure a firearm.
(G) Policy exemptions. The following exemptions to this policy are allowed under the stated circumstances: (1) Any federal, state, local, or university law enforcement officer, while engaged in the performance of their official duties, or off-duty law enforcement officers qualified to possess an off-duty firearm by the officer's employing agency.(2) Disabled weapons, realistic replicas, or simulated/nonfunctional firearms used for educational, artistic, or theatrical purposes with the prior authorization of the appropriate department chair or supervisor and the inspection and authorization of the university chief of police or designee.(a) Notification to the university chief of police or designee must be made three days prior to the intended usage date.(b) The weapon/replica/firearm must be contained in a case while being transported and may only be removed and used inside a classroom, secure office, rehearsal space, theater, or the immediate vicinity of a theater and/or exhibition space.(3) Students or cadre of the military science program (ROTC) acting in their official capacity shall be permitted to transport and utilize deadly weapons for training, special events, or demonstrations as prescribed by program policy.(4) Any employee of the 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 their normal course of duties.(5) A university police academy instructor while engaged in the performance of their official duties and who is either employed as a law enforcement officer or is a retired law enforcement officer.(6) A university police academy cadet during training of university policy academy instructors as provided or approved by the university peace officer training academy and/or the university police department.(7) Any instructor of, or student enrolled in, the marksmanship class as provided by the university while on a shooting range during class hours.(H) Notification. The university conspicuously posts "Weapons Prohibited" signs at university facilities and parking areas surrounding university facilities.(I) Searches. Youngstown state university reserves the right to authorize searches based on reasonable, articulable suspicion for prohibited deadly weapons on its property as deemed necessary by the university to assure campus safety. Refusal to permit a search may result in student discipline up to and including expulsion and employee discipline up to and including termination.(J) Violations. Failure to abide by all terms and conditions of this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination for faculty and staff and expulsion for students, the filing of criminal charges, and/or removal from university property.(K) Reporting. Report any violations of this policy to campus police immediately.(L) Enforcement. The university police department is solely responsible for the oversight and implementation of this policy on university property. All requests for exceptions or deviation from this policy must be approved by the university chief or police or designee.(M) Limitations. This policy shall not be construed to create any duty or obligation on the part of the university to take any actions beyond those required by law.Ohio Admin. Code 3356-7-03
Effective: 8/8/2022
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3356.03
Rule Amplifies: 3356.03
Prior Effective Dates: 06/16/2003, 02/06/2012, 11/03/2017, 07/18/2022