Maryville College Demonstration/Protest Policy
I. SCOPE/PURPOSE
This policy applies to current Maryville College students, employees, and visitors to the campus and other College property.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
Maryville College values and promotes the right of free speech and views self-expression as an integral component of the Maryville College experience for all members of its community, provided that the speech/expression does not violate federal or state laws and/or college policies. The Director of Safety and Security reviews items pertaining to federal, state, and local laws.
Demonstrations are permitted on college property, with approval, if organizers, speakers, and participants do not violate federal, state, or local laws, codes, or college policies (including, but not limited to, vandalism, physical harm, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and noise ordinances). Furthermore, no actions may endanger the safety or security of any member of the MC community, interfere with the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and/or infringe upon the rights of other community members.
Because Maryville College is located on private property, it reserves the right to limit the time, location, and manner/duration of demonstrations that occur on its property. All individuals are responsible for their speech and conduct, and exercising these rights must not deny the same rights to any other individual(s) or violate this policy.
III. DEFINITIONS
- Business Days: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, except on observed campus holidays when the College is closed.
- College Official: : A Maryville College employee who, in the performance of their duties, has or is assigned responsibility for the oversight and management of a demonstration.
- Demonstration: A form of student/employee activism or expressive activity that takes the form of a campus protest, rally, march, assembly, vigil, etc.
- MC Community: Maryville College students, faculty, and staff
- Health & Safety: he laws, rules, and principles that are intended to keep people safe from injury or disease at work and in public places.
IV. PROCEDURES
A. Campus Demonstration Request and Approval Process
Demonstrations on campus must be scheduled in advance, to promote the health and safety of the MC community and maintain regular college operations.
1. Request Process
Students must request approval from the Vice President and Dean of Students or a designee. Employees must request approval from the Director of Human Resources or a designee. Therefore, demonstrations and organizers must provide the following information to Student Affairs or to Human Resources at least five (5) business days in advance of the planned demonstration, if possible*:
- Description of the event
- Group size
- Date
- Location
- Time/Duration
- Name of sponsoring club(s)/organization(s), if applicable
- Point of contact (name, e-mail, and telephone number)
- All marketing materials
The Vice President and Dean of Students/Director of Human Resources may modify the time, place, and manner of the planned demonstration if there is a reasonable expectation that the proposed activity will interfere with the college’s regular operation, endanger individuals or facilities, or otherwise violate this policy. Approval and modifications will not be determined based on the content of the demonstration.
*The College will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests that are not able to be submitted five (5) business days in advance, as in the case of a demonstration held in response to an unanticipated event. In such cases, organizers are responsible for ensuring that the planned demonstration will adhere with all the other provisions of this policy and for contacting the College as soon as possible.
2. Prohibited Items and Conduct – Demonstrations may not include:
- The use of torches or open flames
- The use of chalk or other means of marking college grounds or facilities (unless approved in advance)
- The use of amplified sound devices (unless approved in advance)
- Behaviors that violate the Student Code of Conduct and/or the Discrimination and Harassment Policy
- Tents or bedding
- Installations that are left unattended by demonstration organizers
- Items reasonably determined by a designated College official to be a safety hazard
- Items or behaviors that otherwise violate this policy and other College policies
3. Permissible Locations
Demonstrations are permitted on college property, with approval, if organizers, speakers, and participants do not violate federal, state, or local laws, codes, or college policies (including, but not limited to, vandalism, physical harm, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and noise ordinances). Furthermore, no actions may endanger the safety or security of any member of the MC community, interfere with the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and/or infringe upon the rights of other community members.
For safety and security reasons, demonstrators are not allowed to enter any athletic or event venues; residence halls; on-campus dining facilities; private offices; laboratories; research facilities; classrooms (spaces where classes or private meetings are being held or immediately scheduled to be held); library; facilities or areas containing valuable or sensitive materials, collections, equipment, records protected by law or by existing college policies such as educational records, student-related or personnel-related records, or financial records; emergency facilities or any facilities housing communication systems, security, utilities, or other facilities or services vital to the business functions of the College.
With prior authorization, demonstrators and active demonstrations are permitted at the following campus locations (students should ask a staff member for the College’s guidelines on How to Reserve a Space):
- Humphreys Court (outside Fayerweather Hall)
- Pearsons Hall Plaza
- Thaw Hall Plaza
The Vice President and Dean of Students/Director of Human Resources may approve a march on campus provided that the proposed activity does not otherwise violate this policy.
3. Times and Durations
Demonstrations may only be scheduled during regular College business days and hours, unless otherwise approved. Exceptions will be made based on time, place, and manner considerations.
B. Campus Demonstration Marketing and Literature
he use of signage, flyers, and banners is permitted if its usage does not endanger the health or safety of others, deface or damage property, promote obscene material or otherwise violate any federal or state laws or college policies.
All signage/flyers must include the following:
- Name and contact information of the Maryville College student, staff, or faculty member; organization; or sponsoring office responsible for posting the material.
- All sponsoring entities if multiple organizations (internal and/or external) are sponsoring the event.anizations (internal and/or external) are sponsoring the event.
1. Request Process
For students: All postings and distributed materials must receive advance approval from the Vice President and Dean of Students.
For employees: All postings and materials distributed must receive advance approval from Human Resources
2. Permissible Locations for Marketing Materials and Literature Distribution
Approved marketing materials may be posted on established bulletin boards and posting locations.
Literature and other printed materials may be distributed within the approved location(s) and during the approved demonstration time. Marketing materials and literature may not be forced upon others or left unattended on college property on tables, benches, sidewalks, vehicles, etc.
3. Duration
Approved materials may be posted for a maximum of seven (7) calendar days. Advertisements must be removed within 48 hours after the event concludes by the demonstration organizer(s).
4. Compliance
Failure to comply will result in removal of unauthorized materials.
V. RESPONSIBILITIES
Failure to comply with this policy may result in students meeting with Student Affairs and being subject to discipline through the College’s student conduct process. Failure to comply with this policy may result in faculty and staff meeting with Human Resources and being subject to discipline through the College’s personnel processes.
Members of the MC community attending a demonstration must present identification when asked by College officials. If a demonstration or the conduct of those attending the demonstration violates this policy or exceeds the approved activity, a designated College official will inform the organizers of the need to address the violation and given a reasonable time to do so. Behavior that continues to be in violation of College policy will be addressed as appropriate and may result in the loss of approval to demonstrate on College property.
VI. VISITORS AND NON-AFFILIATED INDIVIDUALS
Persons or organizations who are not members of the MC community are not permitted to organize or participate in demonstrations on campus property. Persons who are not members of the MC community who do not abide by this policy will be directed to leave by Safety and Security.
Updated: November 20, 2024