Campus Demonstrations

Policy

Minnesota State University, Mankato will protect the rights of freedom of speech and peacful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.  The University may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University and will undertake measures to ensure that such activities do not threaten the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Procedure

As a public university, many outdoor spaces are open to the public and do not require an advance reservation for use, however, advanced reservation of a space is suggested in order to ensure that a location is available on a specific date and time.  Indoor and outdoor spaces may be reserved and support services requested in the University Scheduling and Conference Services Office or on the university website.  Space reservation decisions will be made on a content-neutral basis. The general “Special Events Checklist” serves as the basis for the proposed process.  Campus Security reviews the list of all scheduled events for planning purposes.

Suggested areas that may be reserved:

Inside buildings:

• Centennial Student Union – all public areas
• Wigley Administration – 1^st and 3^rd floor common areas
• Lounge adjacent to Highland Center 2002 & 2004

Note: These spaces are available only during normal building hours.

Outdoor spaces:

Lawn of Performing Arts Center

Arboretum area by Belltower

Amphitheatre area west of tunnel

Mall (north area)

Mall (south area)

Mall (west area—including Amphitheatre area)

Main Entrance of Taylor Center (off the walkway, on lawn)

Time, Place and Manner Restrictions

The following items represent a non-exclusive list of forms of public expression and describe the time, place and manner restrictions that will guide university management of events, speakers and other public activities.  There are other university policies and procedures that may apply.

Access:  Interfering with, impeding and causing blockage of the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or ingress and egress to or from any building is not permitted.

Demonstration:  Gesturing, wearing symbolic clothing or otherwise protesting is permissible unless it is disruptive to university operations or impedes access.

Banners, Signs, and other Informative Materials:  The carrying or display of posters, signs, placards or banners in a way that obstructs or interferes with others’ views on University property or inhibits the normal movement of any vehicular traffic or pedestrian movement or presents safety hazards on university property is prohibited unless permitted by statute. 

Temporary Structures/Displays/Exhibits:  All proposed structures may be constructed or placed for any activity upon authorization of the Director of Environmental Health and Safety in consultation with the staff from facilities and the Director of Security.

Use of Fire:  Any torches, flammable outdoor displays or open fires must be approved by the Director of Environment Health and Safety in consultation with staff from facilities and the Director of Security.

Responsibility Toward Property:  Those responsible for damaged, destroyed or littered property will be liable for clean-up/replacement costs and if done intentionally, criminal charges may be sought.

Preference for Student and University Events:  The University may, from time to time, at its discretion, preserve University spaces exclusively for students or for university sponsored events.

Preference for Scheduled or Reserved Purposes:  All activities must be conducted so as to avoid interference with the regularly scheduled or reserved functions of spaces.

Available Time for Demonstrations Without Advance Approval:  Using the University’s legal right to place restrictions on the time, place and manner unapproved demonstrations may occur only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Pre-planned demonstrations allow the University the opportunity to examine security issues and needs and can therefore be held outside of those timeframes

Sound Levels:  Noise levels should not interfere with classes, meetings, campus events or operations and activities in progress or the privacy of residence hall students.  Event noise heard within buildings may be determined disruptive and in violation of this policy.  While the interpretation of the sound level may be subjective, the University and its representatives must err on the side of caution in order to reasonably protect the University’s operations.  City ordinances may also apply.

Amplified Sound:  Use of hand-held megaphones or other electronically amplified devices must receive prior written approval from the University Conference and Scheduling Services Office.

Security:  Demonstrations may need the presence of security and/or police to ensure the safety and security of the attendees and the campus community.  The University reserves the right to maintain a perimeter to promote physical safety.  Preplanned events will be evaluated by the Director of Security for the necessity of security measures such as requiring extra security, bag checking/restrictions, event ticketing and other requirements as deemed necessary for the overall safety of the event.

Speech That Is Not Protected:  The First Amendment to the United States Constitution does not protect all speech or expression.  The types of speech that are not protected are:  obscenity, fighting words, defamation (including libel and slander), child pornography, perjury, blackmail, incitement to imminent lawless action, true threats, and solicitations to commit crimes.

Speech that hurts feelings, causes discomfort, or incites arguments and debate is not prohibited by the First Amendment and unless it fits in to a category listed above, the speaker and/or event would not be removed or stopped.

Legal Authority:  All individuals participating in demonstrations are expected to comply with state and federal laws, municipal ordinance and Minnesota State University, Mankato polices and the above guidelines.  Failure to do so may result in immediate removal from the campus and other actions deemed appropriate by university officials and/or law enforcement.  This could include being trespassed from campus among other remedies.

Rationale

The exercise of free speech should not be distruptive to classes or administrative offices.

The exercise of free speech must never endanger the safety of those on our campus.