Page 10 - Vincennes 2025-2026 Student Planner

Guidelines for Unscheduled Demonstrations by Members of the University Community It is the intent of this policy to ensure that all demonstrations on campus occur with minimal threat to the safety and security of persons or facilities through proper planning and scheduling. Occasionally, events occur which demand immediate public outcry, and it is not the intent of this policy to limit the students’ rights to protest such events. Members of the University community may hold unscheduled demonstrations, rallies, or equivalent activities, provided the activity does not interfere with routine University functions or does not interfere with an activity in a space which has been reserved in advance. In deciding whether a demonstration is spontaneous, for which no registration is required, the University may consider any relevant evidence, including: • Whether signs or placards used at the demonstration were commercially produced, • Whether participants used amplification equipment, • Whether security was alerted, or media contacted, substantially in advance of the demonstration, or • Whether other circumstances demonstrate advance planning by one or more organizations. Public Speaking, Leaflet Distribution, or Demonstrations by Uninvited Individuals Individuals who have not been invited by a member of the University community and who desire to engage in public speaking, leaflet distribution, or demonstrations outdoors on the University’s campus may do so only in accordance with the following procedures: 1. Personswishingtoengageinpublicspeaking,leafletdistribution,ordemonstrationsarerequiredtoreservespacebysubmittinga “Notice of Intent” form at the Vincennes campus to the Director of Student Activities or the Director of Student Services at the Jasper Campus. Events are approved on a space-available basis. Priority will be given to University departments, registered student organizations, students, faculty and staff. Dates are valid only when authorized by the Director of Student Activities or Director of Student Services on the “Notice of Intent” form. Application may not be made more than ten (10) business days prior to the date of anticipated use. In the event a request is denied, an appeal may be made to the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs at the Vincennes campus or the Dean at the Jasper campus, who shall respond promptly to any such appeal. 2. Publicspeaking,leafletdistribution,anddemonstrationsarelimitedtotheconcretearealocateddirectlyinfrontoftheBeckesStudent Union on the Vincennes campus and the awning area in front of the Administration Building on the Jasper campus. Public speaking, leaflet distribution, and demonstrations by uninvited individuals are prohibited elsewhere on campus. 3. Acopyofthe“NoticeofIntent”formmustbeavailableforinspectionuponrequestbyUniversityofficials. 4. Personswishingtospeakpubliclyortodistributeleafletsareprohibitedfromengaginginthesaleorpromotionofcommercialgoodsor services unless permission is granted under the University Sales policy. Guidelines Applicable To All Public Speaking, Leafleting, and Demonstrations 1. Personsmaynotblockorotherwiseinterferewiththefreeflowofvehicular,bicycle,orpedestriantraffic.Therightofwayonstreetsand sidewalks must be maintained. 2. Personsmaynotblockorotherwiseinterferewithingressandegressintoandoutofcampusbuildings. 3. Personsshallnotobstruct,disrupt,interrupt,orattempttoforcethecancellationofanyeventoractivitysponsoredbytheUniversityor by any users authorized to use University facilities. 4. Personsshallnotengageinharassing,physicallyabusive,threatening,orintimidatingconducttowardanyperson. 5. PersonsshallcomplywiththedirectionsofaUniversityofficialactingintheperformanceofhisorherduty. 6. Classesorotherscheduledactivitiesshallnotbedisrupted. 7. UseofpublicaddresssystemsandamplifiedsoundwillnotbepermittedwithoutpriorapprovalfromtheDirectorofStudent Activities/Student Services. 8. Whereaninvitedspeakeristheobjectofprotest,personsmaydemonstrateand/orleafletoutsidethebuildingwherethespeechistaking place. Persons who wish to enter the building must do so as members of the audience and must give the speaker a respectful hearing. Failure to grant the speaker a respectful hearing may result in the offending persons being asked to leave. Signs, placards, or similar paraphernalia associated with a demonstration will not be carried into the building. 9. Thesafetyandwell-beingofmembersofthecampuscommunitycollectivelyandindividuallymustbeprotectedatalltimes.The University maintains the right to define the time, place, and manner in which activities occur on campus. The Director of Student Activities/Student Services will identify appropriate spaces for planned and spontaneous demonstrations. 10. Universitypropertymustbeprotectedatalltimes. 11. InaccordancewiththeVincennesUniversityStudentCodeofConductpersonsonUniversitypropertymayberequiredtoprovide identification and evidence of qualification to a University official upon request. Evidence of qualification means evidence that the person is a member of the University community. 12. PersonsengaginginactivitiesonUniversitypropertyaresubjecttoandexpectedtocomplywithallapplicableUniversitypoliciesand procedures. 8 FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE ABOVE DESCRIBED UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN REVOCATION OF AN APPROVED APPLICATION AND/OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.