CAMPUS LIFE AND SAFETY AND SECURITY (CLASS) TASK FORCE 2009 Annual Report
2010 Legislative Agenda
Since 2008, the CLASS Task Force has adopted an annual legislative agenda as a means to fulfill its responsibility detailed in Executive Orders 2007-17 and 2008-8 to make recommendations that will “prevent crisis and enhance crisis response.” It is the consensus of the task force that two initiatives are necessary to better protect campuses and improve emergency response. The 2010 legislative agenda was adopted unanimously by the task force at its Dec. 10, 2009 meeting.
1. A legislative request of $100,000 to match federal funding to be appropriated through the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security for the Oklahoma School Emergency Preparedness Grant Program.
The Oklahoma School Emergency Preparedness Grant Program was created by SB 605 and signed into law May 12, 2009. It authorizes the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to solicit proposals and make grants for the enhancement of campus security at institutions of higher learning, technology centers, and public and private schools.
As reported previously in the summary of postsecondary institution needs, institutions have indicated a deficiency in the area of target hardening. The $100,000 matching funds would provide important seed money to begin the grant program and allow for more progress to be made in providing better security and safety on our campuses.
The grant program would help bolster the many activities that continue throughout the state to enhance campus safety. Please refer to the Update on 2009 Task Force Initiatives for a description of those initiatives.
2. Active opposition of any legislative efforts to weaken current laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms on postsecondary campuses.
CLASS Task Force members are unanimous in their opposition to any efforts that would encourage the carrying of firearms on postsecondary campuses in Oklahoma. The task force has been joined in this by a coalition of law enforcement officials, veterans, students, parents, faculty and administrators who firmly believe that more guns would make campuses much less safe.
