MSW Student Guide
Section 4.05.06: Concealed Weapons Permits: Implications for Field Education
It has recently come to light that we have several social work students who have legally issued concealed weapons permits. While the University of Michigan (U-M) and the School of Social Work (SSW) Office of Field Education (OFE) does not have the ability or authority to regulate those with concealed weapons permits, SSW/OFE highly discourages students from carrying concealed weapons while engaging in field education-related activities.
The U-M Regents’ Ordinance position on carrying a concealed weapon on University of Michigan property or when engaging in U-M-affiliated programs is outlined here: http://spg.umich.edu/policy/201.94. The U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities states that it is a student conduct violation to carry a weapon in connection with any university program or activity. Consequently, a student is prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon to any fieldwork site that is located on University of Michigan property. Even though the University of Michigan has regulations for carrying concealed weapons that govern its locations and programs which are housed on university property, the School of Social Work/OFE cannot enforce these rules at its affiliated fieldwork sites. The student’s ability to carry a weapon with a permit is then determined by law (some fieldwork sites may actually be “no carry zones under Michigan law) or by policies developed by the individual fieldwork site. The student is expected to abide by the law as well as the fieldwork site’s policy.
We are bringing this issue to your attention with the goal that your fieldwork site has or will engage in developing guidelines/policies regarding concealed weapons permits related to social work student field placements. It is imperative that our students are informed regarding your guidelines and policies related to concealed weapons permits.
The U-M Regents’ Ordinance position on carrying a concealed weapon on University of Michigan property or when engaging in U-M-affiliated programs is outlined here: http://spg.umich.edu/policy/201.94. The U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities states that it is a student conduct violation to carry a weapon in connection with any university program or activity. Consequently, a student is prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon to any fieldwork site that is located on University of Michigan property. Even though the University of Michigan has regulations for carrying concealed weapons that govern its locations and programs which are housed on university property, the School of Social Work/OFE cannot enforce these rules at its affiliated fieldwork sites. The student’s ability to carry a weapon with a permit is then determined by law (some fieldwork sites may actually be “no carry zones under Michigan law) or by policies developed by the individual fieldwork site. The student is expected to abide by the law as well as the fieldwork site’s policy.
We are bringing this issue to your attention with the goal that your fieldwork site has or will engage in developing guidelines/policies regarding concealed weapons permits related to social work student field placements. It is imperative that our students are informed regarding your guidelines and policies related to concealed weapons permits.