Protests and Demonstrations Policy
While the University respects the freedoms and rights of every individual to engage in lawful expressive activity, the University will undertake measures to ensure that such activities do not threaten the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, or disrupt the operations of the University. Students and employees must comply with University policies at all times, including the Code of Student Conduct.
Protests and demonstrations are permitted at campuses, unless the protest or demonstration:
- Results in physically blocking or obstructing entrances to, exit from, or passage through any campus, including, but not limited to, the blockage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on or off the campus.
- Results in violation of a building’s occupancy limits and/or other applicable laws, regulations, or University policies and procedures.
- Results in disruption of the University’s operations, including, but not limited to, interference with instruction and administrative operations.
- Employs force, violence, or constitutes an immediate threat of force or violence against persons or property.
- Is scheduled to take place during the hours when a campus is closed.
To effectively and safely organize a demonstration at a campus, students must contact the Dean of Students, Office of Student Affairs at least 48 hours in advance of the demonstration to determine the time, place, and manner of the demonstration. Upon notifying the Dean of Students, Office of Student Affairs of a demonstration at a campus, the Dean of Students will send a communication to all affected students, faculty and staff regarding safety measures that will be implemented during the scheduled protest or demonstration.
If a protest or demonstration is no longer considered lawful activity and endangers public safety, students should:
- Immediately notify the Campus Director, Campus Manager, or any other campus leader.
- When it is safe to do so, call 9-1-1.
- Be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including:
- What is happening.
- Location, including building address.
- Number of people at location and if there are any injured persons.
- Names of individuals engaged in unlawful activity, if known, and any other information requested.
If necessary, the University will cooperate with law enforcement to restore public safety in response to any protest or demonstration that involves unlawful activity. The Campus Director or Campus Manager may close a campus until the unlawful activity has ceased and the University determines that operations at the campus can resume.