“With the ongoing national conversation surrounding gun violence and the unique environment of college campuses, it’s critical for campus housing professionals to have access to the latest data and best practices.”

Mary DeNiro, ACUHO-I CEO

Approximately 70% of colleges and universities still do not permit guns on campus despite the growing number of open- and concealed-carry laws being enacted across the United States. This finding is part of the 2024 Campus Housing Index, an annual benchmarking survey conducted by The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I).

The full report explores state laws regarding guns on college campuses and departmental policies within housing and residence life departments across the country. “With the ongoing national conversation surrounding gun violence and the unique environment of college campuses, it’s critical for campus housing professionals to have access to the latest data and best practices,” said Mary DeNiro, ACUHO-I CEO. “This data will equip our members with the knowledge they need to inform decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of staff and residents.”

Other findings include:

  • State gun laws: Provides an overview of the pervasiveness of open carry laws on college campuses, highlighting the variations among participating institutions.
  • Departmental policies: Lists which gun policies are most prevalent within housing facilities.
  • Campus characteristics: Describes how policies and state laws vary based on geographic location and institutional bed capacity.
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About ACUHO-I

ACUHO-I is the leading association for campus housing and residence life staff members with more than 17,000 professionals representing 3.2 million on-campus student residents from around the globe. ACUHO-I offers educational events, authoritative publications, and credible data and research that demonstrates the positive effect that campus housing and residence life have on student recruitment, retention, growth, and achievement.

About the Campus Housing Index

The Campus Housing Index (CHI) is a data benchmarking tool that allows campus-based professionals to compare their operations against customized groups of similar campuses. Data collection occurs each year; institutions that complete at least 50% of the questions receive free access to the results the following year. Premium subscriptions are also available for purchase. More details about the CHI are available at https://www.acuho-i.org/campus-housing-index.