Division of Student Affairs

Open Forum (Time, Place, Manner) Policy

This policy sets forth guidelines for the freedom of assembly and speech rights on the Eastern Oregon University campus.

Eastern Oregon University is committed to providing a positive academic environment that recognizes and respects the dignity of all students. Eastern Oregon University recognizes the rights of members of the University community to freedom of assembly and speech, and strongly believes in fostering discourse and the free exchange of ideas at the University. As a matter of law and University policy, however, these rights and interests are not absolute, and must be exercised on University property in a manner consistent with the mission and operation of the University and the rights of other members of the University community.

Definitions

Public demonstrations: freedom to assemble, demonstrate, communicate and protest.

Time, Place, and Manner

Students are free to assemble, demonstrate, communicate and protest (herein after referred to as “public demonstrations”), recognizing that freedom requires order, discipline, and responsibility, and further recognizing the right of all faculty, staff, students and University guests to pursue their legitimate goals without interference.

• Public demonstrations shall not impede pedestrian and vehicular traffic nor reasonably disrupt regular or authorized activities in classrooms, offices, laboratories, and other University facilities or grounds.

• Public demonstrations may be required to conduct activities 15 ft or more from any exit, entrance, exterior staircase, parking lot, or roadway if necessary to allow access.

• Portions of a street and the time of day during which a street is not available for speech activities may be designated in order to meet traffic, emergency access and public transit needs.

• A demonstration in a building or area is limited to such a number of persons which the area can reasonably accommodate on grounds of public safety, as determined by a public safety official (e.g., fire marshal, building inspector).

• There shall be no interference with demonstrations on the grounds of content of speech, except for any speech or demonstration which incites immediate violent action or breach of peace and represents a clear and present danger to the campus community.

University grounds are open to the public and the University community for public demonstrations during the regular business hours of the particular building. To allow scheduling and to assure public safety, persons participating in public demonstrations are required to notify the appropriate University officials before activities (see below):

• In the interest of student privacy and safety, activities are restricted from being conducted at the following locations: Pierce Library, the Student Health Center or any building designated for authorized access only.

• Reservation of space for the purpose of demonstration or activities prior to the event is strongly encouraged in the "Speak Out" zone (i.e. the Hoke Union Building Quad) or other area on campus. Scheduling of space must be verified through the University’s Facilities Scheduling and Conference Service office (located in Hoke 213).

• In the case that an unscheduled demonstration conflicts with the reserved use of space by another entity, the party that reserved the space through proper channels will retain use of that space.

• Speech activities in residence halls and resident dining may be regulated in a viewpoint neutral manner by the Director of Housing and Student Involvement and the Dining Services Director in consultation with the Vice President for Student Affairs.

• Persons are also requested to notify the building managers of any building in which they plan any activity.

Failure to cease any activity in violation of the policy immediately following either written or oral notice by a University official shall also be a violation of this policy. Violations of this policy may subject a student to disciplinary action through the Student Conduct Program.

Approval History

Approved by the Student Affairs Committee on May 15, 2009

Submitted to University Council as an information item on February 23, 2010

Approved by the Eastern Oregon University Executive Cabinet on March 1, 2010 Adopted into practice March 1, 2010

If you have any questions or problems, please contact our office, between 8am-5pm Pacific time, for further assistance.