Incorrect - they are a public institution, and Oregon revised statutes do allow a person with a concealed carry permit to carry their firearm in public buildings - exception being courthouses and airports.
The police had initially arrested him without charging him, them they changed that to “carrying a concealed weapon in a public building” - but they failed to fully read and appreciate all of the lawful exceptions to the statute - including “current or former members of the armed forces in good standing”, police officers, those directed by the police to assist them under emergent circumstances, and carriers of legal concealed weapons permits.
When the D.A. read the statute, he realized that any “charging instrument” would be fatally flawed on its face, therefore he had to drop all charges - otherwise he and his office would be the subjects of a very actionable complaint and perhaps even a subsequent civil suit.
Right now, the University is in a position of vulnerability to such a suit, albeit for somewhat different reasons.
A.A.C.
After a battle stretching back to 2004, the Port of Portland has finally rescinded its illegal ordinance against CHL holders at the Portland Airport.
As you may know, since 1996, the Port had a regulation forbidding persons with concealed handgun licenses from being in the Portland Airport. There was one small problem. The ordinance was unlawful.
Needless to say, the Port and their lawyers did everything they could to justify this violation of the law. Their bizarre interpretations of the law would have made a contortionist jealous. But they were wrong.
In 2005 and again in 2007, OFF members, through their unending activism, blocked a bill that would have expanded the police powers of the Port of Portland Police.
After the second legislative session where their plans were halted because of their refusal to obey the law, they finally got the message, and while it took far longer than it should have, the Port rescinded their bogus rule. The new rule took effect last month. CHL holders are no longer subject to specious and arbitrary arrest for doing something that is perfectly legal.