University-wide policy
Demonstrations, Vigils, and Peaceful Protests
The University has introduced and revised policies related to free expression—specifically regarding protests, demonstrations, and use of campus facilities and spaces.
Known as “time, place, and manner” restrictions, such policies are legally recognized as a way to balance the right of protesters to be heard with the rights of other students to freely pursue their activities.
The rules for registering events on campus, including protests, have been clarified.
The policies require that all activities have a registered student or a current member of the faculty or staff as an identified organizer.
The University has long had an encampment policy in place, designed to address a variety of operational needs and circumstances. For some time, this policy served its purpose without drawing much attention. However, events this past spring brought it into sharp focus, prompting a Board of Trustees’ request to re-examine the policy’s language and ensure it was clearly articulated. Over the summer, the Policy Committee undertook this review and made revisions to the encampment policy to address the Board’s concerns and provide clarity.
The policies clarify how people who are not currently affiliated with the University can or cannot take part in certain campus activities.
The role of these policies is to balance students’ expression of views while ensuring that University activities continue without disruption. University leaders, faculty, staff, and students collaborated to develop these revisions.