Diverse Sources: Campus Carry (Kirkham)

Campus handgun bill sparks debate in San Marcos

By GRAYSON KIRKHAM

The “campus carry” bill signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June has caused quite a state-wide stir around college campuses recently, and Texas State is no exception.

The bill, otherwise known as SB 11, allows concealed handguns to be carried on college campuses, as long as the individual that possesses the gun has a license to do so. Many Texas State students are voicing their opinions on this topic, as it will directly affect campus-life as they know it.

SB 11 is planned to take effect on Aug. 1, 2016.

Senior Shallan Johnson, a communication major, feels a college campus is no place for firearms.

Shallan Johnson (Photo taken by Grayson Kirkham)

“College kids in general probably aren’t trained well enough to handle fire arms,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a win/lose situation.”

Some students, like senior Ernest Rodriguez, think the impact of the bill will not be positive.

Ernest Rodriguez (Photo taken by Grayson Kirkham)

“I don’t think it will necessarily be a negative, but it will definitely be more dangerous,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re armed, you’re a primary target.”

Students aren’t the only ones affected by the “campus carry” bill. Parents of students also voiced concerns about the upcoming changes.

Tim Brugger, a 46-year-old from La Grange, TX, has a daughter who is about to become a freshman at Texas State. Brugger said he's never felt threatened while at a public university, but he does worry about his daughter's safety away from. He is torn on how he feels about the bill.

Tim Brugger (Photo taken by Carlos A. Ibarra)

"I have mixed views on it. I think it'd be a good step for gun owners, but I don't think it would stop anyone from doing what they want to do."

Alexander Villalobos, Sergeant for the University Police Department, says legislature is taking careful measures to make sure this new law is handled correctly.

Alexander Villalobos (Photo taken by Jeff Brown)

“At some point I would imagine under consideration of the legislature, they are going to have to consider the exposure of those types of situations and how people are going to react,” Sergeant Villalobos said. “I think they have considered it to some extent and I think that’s the reason why they’re giving time to structure this particular law in a way that’s going to be sensitive to campuses all over Texas.”

Freshman Abdul Nono, an industrial engineering major, believes the bill is a bad idea. He said guns should only be used by police, since they go through much more training.

Abdul Nono (Photo taken by Trevor Frank)

“I don’t think it would be safe for students to have guns on campus,” Nono said. “Even with the right training and education it is a bad idea. It will have a negative impact because campus will be a more dangerous place.”

Some students, however, feel there is no problem with the new bill as long as it’s properly regulated. Janet Vela, a bio-chemistry major, says why she thinks concealed handguns should be permitted on campus.

Janet Vela (Photo taken by Julianna Reel)

“I think that we are all adults here and should be able to make our own choices,” Vela said. “I think that as long as people follow the law, it should be fine.”

Students reflect on campus growth

By: Kiersten Ehr

The rising star legacy at Texas State University has surpassed expectations with student enrollment sky rocking in San Marcos. 

Student enrollment in the fall of 2014 ranked at 36,790. This is the 17th consecutive year Texas State has set a new record for total enrollment. Texas State is proud to set diversity as a priority in the campus life with 46% of minorities. 

The Texas State website Enrollment Management and Marketing shows the campus student population diversity shows the percentage of the following ethnic background to name a few, 18,983 White, 11,606 Hispanic/Latino, 3,372 African Americans, 819 Asian and 722 multiracial. 

Jenah Stephenson

According to a Texas State Press release, Texas State University President Denise Trauth, released a statement following the campuses growth, "we take our role seriously in preparing our state's future leader and workforce, and this steady growth tells us that students and their parents feel the same way." 

With the enrollment growth at Texas State, sophomore, Jenah Stephenson majoring in Communication Studies, thinks that the campus should continue to grow allowing students from in and out of Texas better opportunities at Texas State.

“It’s made me more proud of my school. It shows we are a really good institution. More people want to come here each year. I think San Marcos will keep it humble instead of being like UT because it is a big city. I like the fact that the school was a small school, and I love watching it expand,” said Stephenson. 

With the massive growth on the Texas State campus, construction and parking has created issues for students commuting on a daily basis. Students comment on how the effects impact their daily school routine. 

“It made parking way too expensive. It made traffic in the small town of San Marcos way too unbearable. It made resources at the school limited, like the rec, you can’t go at certain times because there will be no machines,” said junior Candice Jackson. "Up side, San Marcos is growing massively. The income is exceeding the demand."

The rapid growth has created new walking routes in front of Commons Dining Hall and has increased traffic flow around LBJ ultimately creating an effect on students. 

“I’d say the enormous amount of construction on campus, though I know it’s all apart of the growing population. If it were me and I had seen all that before enrolling, I’d be turned off by that and not want to be at a university that is incomplete,” said Joshua Hinojosa, a junior international relations major. 

Students point on the parallelism for more construction will compensate for the rapid increase of enrollment, but overall the construction will be good for the university and for the future of Texas State.

 Josh Mitchell

"I think the expansion of the campus and beautification of the campus that is happening right now will generally attack more students, but I think the university is beginning to forget is that a lot of people that are here now came here because it felt small," said Josh Mitchell, a senior on the Student Government Academic Affairs Chair Committee.  

Some students feel the enrollment increase will help for academic and athletic national recommendation and will promote the awareness for diversity. 

“This is a strength, and adds diversity for students, faculty, staff and the organizations that will come with a students of different back grounds and foster more understanding of different cultures,” junior Amy Bender said.   
 "Our growth is a positive reflection on all aspects of campus life.