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Southeast Tech board approves first reading of weapons and drug‑free workplace policies after state law changes
Summary
The board approved first readings of a weapons‑on‑campus policy and a consolidated drug‑and‑alcohol workplace policy after staff said state law (SDCL 13‑39‑43 and 13‑39‑44) limits campus‑wide restrictions on concealed pistols, stun guns and chemical agents but allows restricted areas such as welding labs.
Jim Larson, the college’s compliance coordinator and Title IX coordinator, presented proposed revisions to campus policies in response to recent state legislation and a Board of Technical Education directive to harmonize technical college policies statewide.
Larson told the board South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 13‑39‑43 and 13‑39‑44 prevent the college from imposing campus‑wide prohibitions on concealed pistols, stun guns and pepper spray as defined by state law, but the statutes allow the college to designate specific restricted areas.
"In the last state legislation, they passed a new law, SDCL 13 dash 39 43 and 44, where it said anyone I'm working under the board of tech in could not restrict, concealed carry of pistols. Cannot restrict stun guns as defined by state law. It cannot restrict pepper spray, mace, or chemical agents as defined by state law," Larson said.
Larson and board members discussed how the college will identify and mark restricted spaces. Larson said the college and its security staff have identified specific program areas such as welding labs (because of gases and materials) that will be restricted and that signage will be posted outside restricted rooms.
On the drug‑and‑alcohol policy, Larson said the committee combined alcohol into a single drug‑free workplace policy and will withdraw the college’s separate alcohol policy if the consolidated policy is adopted at second reading.
Board members asked whether the policy restricts every weapon the statute allows institutions to restrict; Larson said it does and that the list aligns with state law. The board also asked how the list of restricted rooms was developed; Larson said the college worked with the Board of Technical Education and campus security to develop the list and that the statute outlines the types of rooms that may be restricted.
The board moved to approve the first reading of the weapons‑on‑campus policy (Southeast Tech 4.504) and the drug‑free workplace policy (7.11); both first readings were seconded and passed by voice vote.
