Demonstrations, Vigils, and Peaceful Protests Policy

Rationale/Purpose of the Policy

The University of Rochester is committed to maintaining environments that are as safe, clean, and healthy as reasonably possible for staff, faculty, and students to efficiently carry out the mission and values of the University.

Therefore, unauthorized protests, vigils, and/or demonstrations are not permitted on University property. This policy provides a process for current University students, faculty, and staff to obtain approval for undertaking protests, vigils, and/or demonstration events and allows the University to control University buildings and grounds consistent with requirements for the use of private University of Rochester facilities.  Other policies, which are referenced below, provide processes for securing approval to use facilities on a less urgent basis, including but not limited to use for demonstrations, vigils, and protests.

Definitions

• University of Rochester is also referred to as “University” in this policy.

Scope/Compliance

This policy applies to usage by current University of Rochester students, faculty, and staff of University owned, leased, or operated facilities and grounds, excluding the Memorial Art Gallery, Strong Memorial Hospital, and all University clinical care facilities and affiliated hospitals. It is intended to allow for vigils, protests, and demonstrations because the desires for these often arise urgently and applies to everyone, regardless of University affiliation, present at such events. Requests for use of University facilities by University offices are not covered by this policy. Demonstrations, vigils, and protests are considered exceptions to the standard event registration/reservation process as the community is responding to a current campus, local, national, or global situation that impacts the community.

Policy Details

Request Process

To request authorization to undertake a demonstration, vigil, and/or protest on University property, a complete and accurate form must be submitted pursuant to this policy. Requests must be submitted at least three business days prior to the planned event to allow for adequate safety and support planning.  Saturday and Sunday count together as one business day for events limited to UR community members.

The request form provides details to University officials regarding the person(s) who is/are accepting the role of Responsible Organizer, and salient details for event support and safety teams to plan support. Responsible Organizer must be a current University faculty, student, or staff member in good standing (e.g., not subject to suspension or a similar sanction).

By requesting an event, the person(s) submitting the request is/are designated as the Responsible Organizer(s) and is/are the point of contact for University Student Life staff, Provost’s Office staff, Human Resources staff, and Department of Public Safety. The Responsible Organizer must attend a meeting to review their request with the designated University official. The request for the event will be denied unless the University’s request for a meeting is accepted within 24 hours of receipt and occurs before the date of the event. Events may not be advertised or publicized prior to receipt of written approval from the designated University official for use of the space requested as provided below.

Once a request is filed, the Responsible Organizer(s) will meet with designated University personnel to review event plans and review conduct expectations. The meeting will be initiated based on the Responsible Organizer’s affiliation/status as faculty, staff, or student. Public Safety will be in attendance for a safety review. If the Responsible Organizer is a student, the meeting will be with University Student Life; if the Responsible Organizer is a staff member, the meeting will be with Human Resources; if the Responsible Organizer is a faculty member, the meeting will be with the Provost’s Office.

The University imposes time, place, and manner restrictions as the University considers reasonable on speech and other forms of expression. Some examples include:

• Place: May designate specific areas for activities on campus to occur;
• Time: May restrict the length of time of an event, which will ensure its continuation after a certain time does not interfere with core educational or administrative functions of the University; and/or

• Manner: May restrict conduct to occur at an event, such as prohibiting amplification and limiting the placement or size of signage.

The University prohibits the possession or use of firearms, explosives, destructive or noxious chemicals, or any dangerous or apparently dangerous weapons (including, but not limited to sticks, poles, clubs, swords, or shields), other than as expressly allowed by law and University regulation. The University prohibits signs and symbols being inserted into the ground, projected, affixed, or hung from the exterior of any University structure or property (including, but not limited to buildings or flagpoles).

University building exit passages and exits, including adjacent interior and exterior spaces, must remain free from obstructions or impediments to full and instant use and shall not be used for any other purpose that interferes with the means of egress. The University prohibits obstructions to or impediments to use of exit passages, exits, and the interior and exterior spaces adjacent to exits of buildings.

Abuse of University property is prohibited, and includes damaging, destroying, misappropriating, misusing, or gaining unauthorized entry to University buildings, grounds, equipment, computing resources, educational materials or the personal belongings of others. 

Indoor Demonstrations, Vigils, and Protests

Indoor event space may be assigned for use for requested events if the requested time occurs outside of dining hours, other major events, examination periods, and/or if the event would not interfere with activities of the University or others using the space for the purpose that the University has designated.

• All restrictions listed above apply to indoor events. In addition, noise levels are expected to be maintained at a reasonable level as determined by the University. There can be no amplification, drums, bullhorns, or other noise makers at indoor events. Loud chanting or shouting will not be permitted. There can be no items present that create risk of physical harm to participants or others occupying the requested space.

Indoor events and gatherings allowed under this policy are open to only current University faculty, staff, and students and may not be “co-hosted” by organizations external to the University. The events will be restricted to no more than one hour.  Advertisements for indoor events and gatherings authorized under this policy must omit logos of non-University organizations on any posted digital or physical invitations, posters, and/or flyers as an implication of the non-University organization’s endorsement, sponsorship, or support.

Responsibilities

If the event is approved, the organizer(s) is/are responsible for event planning and management. Organizer(s) agree to accept responsibility for the event including participants’ adherence to policy, general behavior and post-event clean up.

Participants and attendees are expected to not only follow the Meliora Values but also must adhere to all Standards of Conduct (Faculty Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, and Human Resource Policies).

To maintain a reasonably safe University environment and allow the University, its faculty, staff, and students to carry out the University’s mission, the University must and does reserve the right to exclude any person from its property at any time for any reason, including a determination by a University official or designee that the person is engaging in or likely will cause a material threat of violence or physical harm to any person or property, disruption of University operations, failure to produce current proof of identification upon request, or any other violation of applicable policy or law. The University reserves the right to limit, withhold approval for, or terminate speaker presentations and any other activity or event on University property at any time, including but not limited to speech and expressive activity proposed or in process that the University determines is causing or likely will create or be a disruption to University operations, that creates a material risk of harm to persons or property, or that violates applicable policy or law.

Each University student, faculty, or staff member must carry University of Rochester issued identification (ID) while on University property and must provide their ID card to a University official or designee who asks, in a manner to allow details to be gathered from the card.

Any person present who is not a current University of Rochester student, faculty, or staff member must possess a current government-issued ID and, if asked by any University official or designee, produce the ID to allow verification of identity and/or disaggregation of current University students, faculty, and staff from other persons participating in events.

Requests to convene an event and any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the following:

• Requests submitted or organized by students: University Vice President of Student Life or designee
• Requests submitted or organized by faculty: Provost or designee
• Requests submitted or organized by staff: Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer or designee