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Expressive Activity

Policy on Expressive Activity - 6E1

  1. Policy on Expressive Activity

    This Policy applies to all buildings, grounds, and other spaces owned or controlled by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The term "Expressive Activity" includes:

    1. Meetings and other group activities of students and student organizations;

    2. Speeches, performances, demonstrations, rallies, vigils, and other events by members of the University community, including students, student organizations, and outside groups invited by student organizations; this Policy also applies to these same covered activities by external individuals and groups;

    3. Distributions of literature, such as leafleting and pamphleting; and

    4. Any other expression protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

  2. Policy Statement

    SIUE property is primarily dedicated to academic, student life and administrative functions. But it also represents the "marketplace of ideas," and especially for students, many areas of campus represent a public forum for speech and other Expressive Activities. For members of the University community, including students and student organizations, the outdoor areas of campus are venues for free expression, including speeches, demonstrations, and the distribution of literature.

    SIUE shall not consider the content or viewpoint of the expression or the possible reaction to that expression in applying this policy. SIUE shall not impose restrictions on students, student organizations, University employees, or external individuals and groups, due to the content or viewpoint of their expression or the possible reaction to that expression. In the event that other persons react negatively to a student's, student organization's, University employee's or external individual or group's expression, SIUE (including University police ) shall take necessary steps to ensure public safety while allowing the Expressive Activity to continue.

    No event or Expressive Activity shall be permitted to violate or hinder the rights of others within the campus community.

    SIUE does not assume any obligation or responsibility for the content of statements or materials distributed.


  3. Rules and Regulations
    1. General Rules

      Subject to the additional rules set forth herein, members of the University community, including students and student organizations, and external individuals and groups, shall be allowed to conduct Expressive Activities on SIUE property as long as such activity:

      1. Does not block access to campus buildings.

      2. Does not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

      3. Does not constitute unlawful activity.

      4. Does not create a clear and present threat to public safety.

      5. Does not take place in a location that has been previously reserved by another individual or group.

      6. Is conducted by a non-commercial entity.

      7. Does not disrupt the conduct of University business, including educational instruction, due to excessive noise.

      8. Ensures distribution of printed materials must be done in person.

      9. Ensures individuals and/or groups engaged in Expressive Activity are responsible for picking up any printed materials dropped on the ground around the areas of distribution.  SIUE may charge such individuals and/or groups a reasonable clean up fee if they fail to do so.

      10. Ensures individuals and/or groups engaging in Expressive Activity agree to pay for any damages to SIUE property that is caused by their use of such property.

      This policy shall not apply to any person or organizations desiring to sell merchandise or services on campus.  Such activities are governed by the SIUE Solicitation Policy, which can be found here.

    2. Spontaneous Activities in Outdoor Locations

      For outdoor campus facilities and areas, members of the University community, including students, student organizations, and their sponsored guests may freely engage in spontaneous Expressive Activities provided that such activities are in compliance with all other provisions of this Policy, and the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub Student Organization Handbook, if applicable, which may be found at here.

      All external individuals or groups not sponsored by a University department or organization, may not engage in spontaneous activities and must register through the reservation process cited below, in order to engage in activities covered by this Policy.

    3. Spontaneous Activities in Indoor Locations

      For indoor campus facilities and areas, members of the University community, including students, student organizations, and their sponsored guests may freely engage in spontaneous Expressive Activities subject to the following conditions:

      1.  Expressive Activities may only be conducted in locations that do not interfere with the educational mission of the university, or other University business, as determined by the University.

      2. The Expressive Activities are in compliance with all other provisions of this policy. 
    4. Reserving Campus Facilities
      1. If students, student organizations, or University employees desire to reserve indoor or outdoor campus facilities, they shall submit their application for reservation to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, or the Morris University Center (MUC) Event Services Office for reservation of space within the MUC, at least three business days prior to the reservation date.  SIUE will respond to the reservation application within two business days.

      2. If individuals or organizations who are not members of the university community (i.e., not students, student organizations, or university employees) desire to reserve campus facilities, they shall submit their application for reservation to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, or the Morris University Center (MUC) Event Services Office for reservation of space within the MUC, at least three business days prior to the reservation date. SIUE will respond to the reservation application within two business days. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance in order to allow priority reservations for students, student organizations, employees, and University sponsored activities.

      3. If applicable, information regarding the cost of facilities will be provided to the requestor.

      4. Reservation requests for outdoor locations shall identify the specific location in the application, and not include more than a 50 feet radius, without an explanation justifying why additional space is needed.

      5. Reservation requests will be processed and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. These requests may be denied for the following reasons only:

        1. The request conflicts with restrictions enacted pursuant to this Policy (denial must specify);

        2. The venue is already reserved for another event;

        3. The activity will attract a crowd larger than the venue can safely contain;

        4. The activity is a clear and present threat to public safety, according to University Police;

        5. The activity is unlawful;

        6. The activity is inherently likely to provoke a violent response towards another person, encourage others to commit criminal acts, or constitutes harassment;

        7. The requestor, and/or a member of the requestor’s group, has previously violated this Policy in past activities; or

        8. If spaces previously reserved pursuant to this Policy have gone unused (intended to prevent individuals from reserving space for the sole purpose of denying the availability of space for others).
      6. During an event, the student, student organization, University employee or sponsor, or external individual or group requesting the reservation is responsible for the conduct of any co-presenter(s) and for preserving and maintaining the facility it reserved. If it causes any damage to those facilities, the person(s) or organization (and its officers, if applicable) shall assume responsibility.

        In the event that multiple individuals or organizations submit conflicting reservation requests, the following order of precedence shall govern: (1) official university sponsored activities and events; (2) recognized student organization activities and events; (3) student activities and events; and (4) all other activities and events.
    5.  Amplification
      1. The compact nature of the University core necessitates a general policy of sound control, that (1) protects academic programs and the conduct of other University business from the intrusion of sound created outside University structures, and (2) provides the opportunity for the appropriate use of amplification for activities in outdoor areas of the campus, by members of the University community, or their sponsored guests.

      2. It shall be the general policy of the University that the academic programs and learning spaces be given maximum protection from intrusion of sound created outside University structures. Therefore, amplification of any type which interferes with classroom instruction, student learning, or normal University operations will not be allowed in outdoor areas of the campus when classes are in session. If such interference occurs, the University reserves the right to request that the volume be lowered, or amplification discontinued immediately.

      3. To avoid interference with the conduct of University business, the total measured decibels (including background noise), at 10 feet from the source of sound, shall not exceed 70 dBs. Additionally, the use of a siren or similar emergency sounds in amplification equipment used in activities is prohibited at all times except by University police.

      4. Exceptions to the decibel level are allowed for University sponsored events.

    6. Occupations/Encampments/Tents/Structures
      Encampments, tents and structures (whether temporary or permanent) erected or used for the purposes of establishing or maintaining the occupation of a campus space, whether indoor or outdoors, are prohibited.

      Tents and other temporary structures utilized for purposes other than the occupation of campus space may be permitted with advance written approval, in support of University sponsored activities.

      In the event of any unauthorized occupations or encampments (with or without tents or structures), tents or structures erected or attempted to be erected on campus, in violation of this Policy, those occupying the spaces, as well as any encampments or structures will be subject to removal by the University, and responsible individuals may be referred for disciplinary action and/or criminal charges.

    7. Posting of Materials
      The posting of flyers, notices, posters, signs or other written or printed materials should only be done on designated bulletin boards and kiosks. Posting, affixing or physically attaching materials to University property other than designated areas, including but not limited to walls or windows of University buildings, doors, light posts, utility poles, statues, trees and trash receptacles is prohibited.

    8. Signs
      Subject to the limitations outlined in this and other University policies, individuals may hold handheld signs while engaging in expressive activities pursuant to this Policy. Handheld signs must not be left unattended. Signs, banners, plaques, and lettering must not be displayed on or in University buildings or structures, without advance written University approval.

    9. Chalking
      Washable chalk is allowed only on ground level horizontal concrete or asphalt surfaces that are easily cleaned, and are not protected by building overhangs, porches or canopies. No chalking is permitted on vertical surfaces, or on any brick surfaces.

      The use of other types of chalk, paint, or other similar materials is prohibited.

    10. Reporting
      Any suspected violations of this policy should be reported to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration at 618-650-2536 or University Police at 618-650-3324.  The SIUE Police Department should be contacted for any immediate threat.

 

Approved by Chancellor effective 9/20/2024
This policy was issued on September 20, 2024, replacing the April 24, 2024, version.
Document Reference: 6E1
Origin: OP 10/23/84 and OC 10/30/84; OP 11/5/90 and OC 11/14/90; OP 8/2/95; OC 8/13/07; OC 6/26/13; OC 8/7/17; OC 1/29/18; OC 11/25/20; OC 11/6/23; OC 2/7/24; OC 4/24/24; OC 9/20/24

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