ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY

Title: Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly Policy
Subject: Public Safety
Policy No: DPS: 2015:01
Applies: University-Wide
Issuing Authority: President
Responsible Officer: Assistant Vice President, Public Safety
Date Adopted: 04/23/2015

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Last Revision:  08/03/2020
Last

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Reviewed:

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 08/

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03/

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2020

PURPOSE

This policy sets forth policies and procedures that are established in order to facilitate effective expression of free speech and peaceful assembly.

I.    PURPOSE

Rowan University is inherently a marketplace of ideas, and encourages and protects the rights of members of the University community to express divergent viewpoints and opinions. At the same time, the University encourages persons engaging in expressive activity to demonstrate civility, concern for the safety of persons and property, and respect for University activities and for those who may disagree with their message. All persons engaging in expressive activity on University property must comply with University policies. The purpose of this policy is to provide for expressive activity to be conducted on the grounds of the University in a manner consistent with these principles.

II.   ACCOUNTABILITY

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Under the direction of the President,

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designated University personnel shall implement this policy and ensure compliance.

III.  APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Rowan University faculty, staff, students, and visitors to all Rowan University campuses

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who wish to engage in speaking, rallies, vigils, literature distribution, poster or sign displays, petitioning and similar non-commercial activities (generally referred to as “expressive activity”) at locations on University property.

IV.   POLICY

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION
   Rowan University is committed to providing an educational climate that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual. The University recognizes the right of all individuals to engage in peaceful and orderly assembly and/or demonstrations which do expressive activity which is not unlawful, does not disrupt the functions of the University or interfere with the rights of others. The University will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. The University maintains its right to implement reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of expressionexpressive activity.
   
   The Supreme Court of the Unites United States has adopted a forum analysis framework to assess whether, and to what extent, a government entity such as Rowan University must permit expressive activity on its property.
   The Court has established three categories of forums :
2. quintessential public forums;
3. designated public forums;
nonpublic forums;
4. (this forum analysis is highly fact dependent and the examples which follow are intended to serve as illustrative and not definitive
.
5. ):
   1. Quintessential or traditional public forums – Quintessential or traditional public forums, including public streets, sidewalks, parks, and
similar
6. 1. common outdoor facilities and areas on campus that are generally available for expressive activity, planned or spontaneous, for an individual or small groups (generally where a crowd of
10
7. 1. twenty-five (25) or less will be present
, and/or where an event is not promoted in advance, and/or when an event is not sponsored by a student organization) at any time without the need for reservation, or prior approval.
8. 1. ), at any time;
   2. Designated public forums – Designated public forums are created by the University when it deliberately opens property to the public. These forums may be so designated for only limited uses or for only limited class of speakers
.Non public
9. 1. ;
   2. Nonpublic forums – Nonpublic forums are areas that are not traditional public forums or designated public forums. These forums will be restricted to use for their intended purpose. Examples include, but are not limited to, classrooms, residence hall rooms, faculty and staff offices, academic buildings, administration buildings, the Student Center, medical treatment facilities, libraries, research and computer laboratories and facilities, and locations where University events, ceremonies, commencement activities and other similar events and activities are held.
      
      
10. ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIREMENTSOF LOCATION
    
    In an effort to ensure safety and to promote an environment conductive conducive to study, advance reservation is required for expressive activity is required for assembly and/or demonstrations that are promoted in advance, and/or sponsored by student organizations, and/or expected to draw a crowd of more than 10 people. Advance reservation is required for assembly and/or demonstrations at a University ceremony, event and/or activity held on University property or at any place in use for an authorized University purpose.
     Any that is expected to have more than twenty-five (25) participants; and strongly encouraged for expressive activity expected to have twenty-five (25) or fewer participants. 
    
    Any individual or group, either required by this Section section to make an advance reservation, or desiring to make an advance reservation, shall complete and submit, may reserve an outdoor location for the use of the group/organization by completing the Reservation Request Form and submitting it to the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management (Bole Annex) the reservation request form attached hereto , at least 72 hours in advance of the assembly and/or demonstration.
    The decision to confirm or deny a reservation request will be based on proper and timely completion and submission of the reservation. The request form must be in compliance with the applicable sound and sign requirements and availability of space. If the assembly and/or demonstration the expressive activity. On the main Glassboro Campus, it is recommended that a group/organization request to reserve either Bunce Green or the Student Center back patio. A group/organization may reserve only one location for each day, and cannot reserve the same location for more than one day in each calendar week. Smaller groups (less than 25) and individuals are requested to voluntarily use the suggested areas, but may use any outdoor area open to the public that can safely be used so long as noise levels do not conflict with the conduct of University business and crowds do not impede egress and ingress to University facilities.
    
    Advance reservation is encouraged to avoid conflicts and ensure availability of the location. With a proper reservation, a group/organization will have exclusive use of the reserved location and may not transfer the reservation to, or allow use of the location by, any other group/organization. The group/organization that has reserved the location has priority over non-reserved groups/organizations. If a location has not been reserved, it will be available for use by a group/organization, consistent with the other requirements of this policy. Registered student organizations and University groups will have priority in the event of conflicting requests.
    After applications are reviewed by appropriate personnel, including those designated with management or assignment responsibility for specific areas, the group/organization will be advised by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management. An advance reservation request may be denied for the following reasons:
    1. The requested venue is an indoor facility that the University has designated as not available for expressive activity under this policy;
    2. The request does not comply with applicable sound and sign requirements;
    3. The requested venue conflicts with restrictions enacted pursuant to this policy;
    4. The venue is already reserved for another event;
    5. The expressive activity will attract a crowd larger than the venue can safely contain;
    6. The expressive activity is a clear and present threat to public safety, according to the Rowan University’s Department of Public Safety;
    7. The expressive activity will occur during college examination periods; or 
    8. The expressive activity is unlawful.
       
       If the expressive activity is proposed to be held in either a quintessential/traditional or designated public forum (as listed above), then under no circumstance will the decision to grant or deny a reservation request be based on the content or viewpoint of the expressive activity unless there exists a compelling interest of the University to do so. If a reservation request is denied, the
    rationale
    1. reason(s) for that decision shall be provided in writing. The denial of a reservation request can be appealed to the President of the University or his/her designee.
       
       In addition, because locations within buildings are frequently booked well in advance, those wishing to engage in
    assembly and/or demonstration
    1. expressive activities in a particular room or building should reserve that space through the established procedures for the particular facility. Contact
    the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Campus Recreation & Student Activities for
    1. University Events for assistance in determining the appropriate individual or office to contact to reserve the building space.
       
    Participants in the assembly and/or demonstration are expected to assist in cleaning up any litter that might result from leafleting or other activity.
     Individuals or groups
    1. 
       Individuals, or student groups/organizations associated with the University wishing to use University-owned sound amplification equipment may request to rent equipment by contacting the Student University Programmers ("SUP").
    If equipment is available at the time of the assembly and/or demonstration, the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Campus Recreation & Student Activities shall designate a location where sound amplification may reasonably be used.
     The
    1. 
       
       The University recognizes that spontaneous
    assembly and/or demonstrations
    1. expressive activity may occur. In such situations, the University expects the persons involved to act responsibly and peacefully in accordance with this policy, and reserves the right for an appropriate University official, such as the
    Assistant
    1. Associate Vice President for
    Campus Recreation & Student Activities
    1. Student Affairs and Dean of Students or any Public Safety Officer or security personnel, to ask persons to relocate the
    assembly and/or demonstration
    1. expressive activity if it proves disruptive or creates a safety hazard at the particular
    locations
    1. location(s).
       
       
11. REQUIREMENTS OF USEDISRUPTIVE ACTIVITY
    
    As the above principles illustrate, and subject to compliance with this Policypolicy, the University recognizes the right of all individuals on University property or at any place in use for an authorized University purpose to engage in peaceful and orderly assembly and/or demonstrationexpressive activity, which does not disrupt functions of the University or interfere with the rights or safety of others.
     The
    The University will not allow disruptive or disorderly conduct on its premises to interrupt its conduct that materially or substantially disrupts or interferes with the University’s proper operation or to interfere with the rights of others. Persons engaging in disruptive action or speech and/or disorderly conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, removal from the premises and/or charges of violations of the law, and in the case of students, expulsion and/or separation. Disruptive actions, speeches or demonstrations Such conduct is strictly prohibited on University property or at any place in use for an authorized University purpose are strictly prohibited.
    
    Participants in the expressive activity are expected to clean up after themselves, and asked to assist in cleaning up any litter that might result from leafleting or other activity.
    
    Listed below are examples of activities that will be considered disruptive and will result in discipline and/or removal, arrest, and/or prosecution.
    1. Interference with scheduled University ceremonies, events and/or activities held on University property or at any place in use for an authorized University purpose is prohibited. During a University ceremony, event and/or activity, assembling and/or demonstrating noiselessly, such as by wearing clothing, gesturing, standing or distributing literature, is acceptable, provided it does not impede access to the University ceremony, event and/or activity, disrupt the University ceremony, event and/or activity or interfere with the attendees' ability to see or hear the University ceremony, event and/or activity
 .
12. 1. Any use of signs, prolonged standing, or other activity likely to block the view of any of the attendees is prohibited, unless it is confined to the last row of the crowd, if the University ceremony, event and/or activity is held outdoors, or to the back of the room, if the University ceremony, event and/or activity is held
indoor
13. 1. indoors.
    2. Chanting or making other sustained or repeated noise or displaying or utilizing objects such as kites, balloons, banners or similar objects in a manner which interferes with the communication of any speaker at a University ceremony, event and/or activity, or the attendees' ability to see or hear the speaker, ceremony, event and/or activity, is prohibited.
    3. Activities with a noise level that disrupts or poses a tenable threat of disrupting the proper operation of the University are prohibited. 
    4. Obstruction, disruption or interference with classes, research, administrative functions or other University activities is prohibited.
    5. Actions that endanger the safety of any individual, the University community, or the academic process are prohibited. 
    6. Failure to comply with directives of authorized University Officials in the performance of their duties, including failure to identify oneself when properly requested to do so, is prohibited.
    7. Unauthorized entry, use, or occupancy of University facilities, or refusal to vacate a University facility or property that is being used without authorization when directed to do so by an authorized official is prohibited. 
    8. The use of sound amplification equipment within a building without prior authorization is prohibited. 
    9. Damage to or destruction of University property or of property on University premises belonging to others is prohibited. 
    10. Unauthorized setting of fires on University property, or unauthorized use of or interference with fire equipment, is prohibited. 
    11. Actions which threaten or incite immediate property damage, assault, or injury to self or other persons are prohibited. 
    12. Verbally provoking immediate physical assault, personal injury or property damage through the use of harassment, intimidation, bullying, threats, or fighting words is prohibited. 
    13. Violation of published University regulations, policies or rules, or violation of any New Jersey state law or federal law is prohibited. 
    14. Obstruction of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic and/or obstruction of access to, and exit from, any university ceremony, office, classroom, laboratory or building is prohibited.
 
14. 2. Infringement on the rights of others is prohibited. 

ROWAN UNIVERSITY – RESERVATION REQUEST FORM

Name of person or organization sponsoring the event: __________________________________

Name and contact information for representative who will be present during event: ______________________________________________________________________________

Location, date, time of day and duration requested for event: ______________________________________________________________________________

General purpose of event: ______________________________________________________________________________

List of planned activities (i.e. speech, rally, march, use of signs, distribution of literature, etc.):______________________________________________________________________________

Special equipment requested: ______________________________________________________________________________

Anticipated attendance (number of persons in attendance): ____________________________

Requestor Signature:_______________________________

Print Name: ____________________________

APPROVED ________ DISAPPROVED: ________

If disapproved, set forth the basis for disapproval:

V.   ATTACHMENTS

1. Reservation of Location Request Form  

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