Policy on Demonstrations, Including Protests, Marches and Rallies
Responsible Office or Person: Public Safety
Date Revised: January 24, 2024
This policy applies to all members of the University community defined as students, employees, contracted vendors, volunteers, and their invited guests as well as to those third party individuals or groups visiting the University independent of any specific invitation.
Carroll University supports the right of individual students, recognized student organizations, and employees to dissent and to demonstrate providing such activities do not disrupt normal campus operations, obstruct free access to University buildings, or infringe upon the rights of others. It is the intent of this policy to ensure that all demonstrations on campus occur with minimal threat to the safety and security of persons or facilities and with minimal disruption to educational activities through proper planning and scheduling.
The University does not condone behavior that violates the freedom of speech, choice, assembly, or movement of individuals or organizations. In short, responsible dissent carries with it sensitivity for the civil rights of others.
For the purposes of this policy, “student” includes all enrolled full or part-time undergraduate and graduate students.
For the purposes of this policy, “employee” includes full and part-time faculty (including adjunct), full and part-time administrative staff, full and part-time support staff and administrators.
For the purpose of this policy, the word “demonstration” includes all demonstrations, protests, marches, rallies, leaflet distribution or other activity involving the public display of a group or multiple groups on University property. Please refer to the Policy on Partisan Activity for partisan political events.
The following guidelines will apply to all demonstrations
- Demonstrations may begin no earlier than Carroll’s start of operating hours at 8:00 am and must conclude no later than 10:00 pm in accordance with City of Waukesha noise ordinance.
- Information that is determined by the Vice President for Student Life, Director of Public Safety and/or Director of Student Conduct to be obscene or libelous or that advocates unlawful conduct may not be disseminated.
- A demonstrator may not wear a head/face covering or other device that is intended to conceal the identity of the wearer when the person knows or reasonably should know that the conduct provokes in another a reasonable apprehension of intimidation, threats of violence. The prohibition does not apply to personal protective coverings (e.g. medical face coverings, hijabs).
- Demonstrations may only occur in reservable spaces and should follow reservation procedures.
- Demonstrations may not be held within 25 feet of a point of building ingress or egress.
- Persons or their belongings may not block or otherwise interfere with the free flow of vehicular, bicycle or pedestrian traffic. The right of way on streets and sidewalks must be maintained.
- Persons or their belongings may not block or otherwise interfere with ingress and egress into and out of campus buildings.
- Persons or their belongings shall not obstruct, disrupt, interrupt or attempt to force the cancellation of any event or activity sponsored by the University or by any users authorized to use University facilities.
- Persons shall not engage in harassing, physically abusive, threatening or intimidating conduct toward any person.
- Persons shall comply with the directions of any University official acting in the performance of his or her duty.
- Classes or other scheduled activities shall not be disrupted.
- Use of public address systems and amplified sound will not be permitted without prior approval from the Office of Reservations and Event Services. Such approval is contingent upon review of potential impact on classes or other scheduled activities.
- Where an invited speaker is the object of protest, persons may demonstrate outside the building where the speech is taking place. Persons who wish to enter the building must do so as members of the audience, paying admission fees where applicable, and must give the speaker a respectful hearing. Failure to grant the speaker a respectful hearing may result in the offending persons being asked to leave. If they choose not to leave, University Public Safety Officers will escort them out. Signs, placards or similar paraphernalia associated with a demonstration will not be carried into any building.
- The safety and well-being of members of the campus community collectively and individually must be protected at all times. The University maintains the right to define the time, place and manner in which activities occur on campus. The Office of Reservations and Event Services will identify appropriate spaces for planned and spontaneous demonstrations.
- University property must be protected at all times.
- The University reserves the right to require the presence of University Public Safety Officers at any demonstration. In certain circumstances, searches or metal detectors may be used to ensure safety. The costs for these officers are to be paid by the organization holding the demonstration.
- Persons engaging in activities on University property are subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures.
- Non-student guests, present at demonstrations, must be accompanied by a student or employee host.
This policy does not supersede any local, state or federal laws and regulations. Members of the University community who plan a demonstration and fail to follow outlined procedures will be referred to the appropriate governing or discipline body. Since organizations and persons who are not students, recognized student organizations, or employees of the University are not subject to University discipline procedures, failure to comply with this policy may result in action under terms of local and State law, as appropriate.
Guidelines for Scheduled Demonstrations
Registered student organizations or other campus constituents that wish to schedule a demonstration, rally, or equivalent activity, may request the space through the regular reservation procedure up to forty-eight (48) hours in advance.
Guidelines for Unscheduled Demonstrations
Occasionally, events occur which demand immediate public outcry, and it is not the intent of this policy to limit the University community’s rights to protest such events. However, it is inappropriate for events which have been planned to circumvent the policies by claiming to be spontaneous. Because prior approval from the Office of Reservation and Events Services is not possible for unscheduled demonstrations, the use of public address systems or amplified sound is prohibited for unscheduled demonstrations.
Related Policies:
- University Chalking Policy
- Disruptive Behavior Policy
- Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy
- Solicitation Policy
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