4.33 Expressive Activities


(Adopted 4/11/16)

East Central College is committed to providing an environment that embraces the principle of freedom of expression for all people.  The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that an academic environment is created and maintained that allows for open communication, discussion, and exploration of ideas, while also ensuring that there is no unreasonable disruption of the College function, nor any danger to community members, damage to personal or College property, or unconstitutional interference with the rights of others.  Accordingly, all non-commercial expressive activity, including all forms of peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, distribution of literature, carrying signs, and circulating petitions (hereinafter “Expressive Activities”), will be subject to the constitutional limitations set forth in the associated procedures.

Procedures (Adopted 4/11/16; Revised 12-5-2022)

4.33.1  The following restrictions shall be applicable to non-commercial expressive activities conducted in the outdoor areas of East Central College:

Time 

Individuals or organizations may engage in Expressive Activities from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Manner

  1. No one may engage in any activity that violates local ordinances, state, or federal laws.
  2. No one may engage in any activity that endangers personal safety and/or that results in damage to personal or College property.
  3. No one may display or distribute obscene materials, as defined by local, state, or federal law, or is within the definition of obscenity as set forth in decisions of the United States Supreme Court.
  4. No one may engage in any activity that defames any other person.
  5. No one may engage in any activity that is meant to incite or produce imminent violations of law under circumstances such that the activity is likely to actually and imminently incite or produce violations of law.
  6. No one may engage in any activity that substantially and materially disrupts the functioning of the College, including the disruption of class work (including out of class studying) or the substantial invasion of the rights of others.
  7. No one may engage in any activity that disrupts or impedes the flow of traffic (vehicular or pedestrian) on campus or obstructs access to or from campus buildings or any official College function.
  8. No one may attempt or threaten to strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject a person to unwanted physical contact.
  9. No one may follow a person in or about the campus in an effort to cause such person to accept material when such person has rejected the receipt of such material or otherwise clearly indicated a refusal to accept such material.
  10. No one may persist in requesting or demanding the attention of any other person during a single encounter after such person has rejected the receipt of such material or otherwise clearly indicated a refusal to accept such material.
  11. No one may fail to identify oneself to, or comply with the lawful direction of, a clearly identified College official or any other public official acting in the performance of their duties while on College property or resist or obstruct such College or other public officials in the performance of or the attempt to perform their lawful duties.

4.33.2  Large Events

In addition to the time, place, and manner restrictions above, the following restrictions apply to non-commercial expressive activities in the outdoor spaces of the College:

For any person or group wanting to hold a rally, protest, parade, or other event involving twenty (20) or more people, this person or group’s designee must request permission through the Facilities Administrative Assistant within three (3) business days of the event.  The request must contain the desired time and location of the event, the approximate number of persons attending, and the approximate duration of the event.

The College President will review the requests and grant permission on a first come, first served basis within two (2) business days, to allow for the College to coordinate multiple uses of limited space; assure preservation of the area; prevent uses that are dangerous, unlawful, or impermissible; and to assure financial accountability for any potential damage caused by the event.