Academic Freedom, Free Speech and Diversity

I. University Organization

II. University Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan

III. Academic Freedom, Free Speech and Diversity

IV. Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

V. Teaching

VI. Curriculum

VII. Students

VIII. Research

IX . Resources

Demonstrations and Marches

Approved by Academic Council 3/02/92

Wright State University recognizes the exercise of the rights of expression, affiliation, and peaceful assemblage. WSU students and personnel may express their views by demonstrating peacefully for concepts they wish to make known, and the university will make every reasonable effort to protect those rights. The university also has an equal and simultaneous obligation to protect the rights and freedoms of those who do not choose to participate in such a demonstration. Additionally, the university has an obligation to protect its property and to assure continuation of activities of students, university faculty and staff, and guests on the campus.

1. Policy
   
   1. WSU is committed to freedom of thought and freedom of expression. All members of the academic community have the right to express their opinions. Faculty, staff and students should be free to discuss, debate and express ideas and opinions in public or private forums as long as they do not disrupt university functions.
      
   2. A broad range of speech will be tolerated at WSU, subject to consideration of the health, welfare and safety of all faculty, staff and students and the functioning of the university.
      
   3. Speech may be legitimately regulated with regard to time, place and manner when it has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the educational environment, disrupting the functioning of the University or inciting an immediate breach of peace.
      
   4. Conduct, the purpose or effect of which, is not frightening, coercing, or intimidating specific individuals but is merely deemed offensive to certain groups will not be grounds for regulation or punishment.
      
   5. The university is committed to the elimination of all forms of bigotry on campus.
      
   6. The university will consider each alleged violation on a case by case basis and will examine the time, place, pattern of conduct and, where relevant, the existence of a specific relationship between speaker and target.
      
   7. The university encourages all faculty, staff, and students to exercise their free speech rights responsibly. Categories of speech should be consistent with the inclusive language policy #4001.23.
      
      
2. Regulation of Time, Place, Manner
   Reasonable and orderly scheduling, assignment and use of university facilities, resources, and personnel, are necessary to assure continuation of educational programs and other activities, to accommodate the needs of all persons, and to respect the rights of all members of the university community.
   
   
3. Procedures
   
   1. To secure assistance in planning and obtaining university facilities, to ensure that other activities are not adversely affected, and to protect the rights of all members of the university community, participants and nonparticipants, all demonstrations and marches must be registered with the office of the Vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, and have approval for the use of any facility.
      
   2. All sponsors of demonstrations or marches must register in the office of the Vice president for student affairs and enrollment services not less than 24 hours in advance. Under compelling circumstances, the 24 hour requirement can be waived by the Vice president for student affairs and enrollment services or designee. Items of information required for registration include:
      
      1. desired location
      2. event date and time
      3. route of march, if applicable
      4. estimated attendance
      5. sound devices to be used (bullhorns, musical instruments, etc.)
      6. plans for security and a list of marshalls
      7. names and phone numbers of organizers
      8. names of speakers for security purposes are preferred
   3. The university will use its best efforts to register groups for demonstrations and marches and will take into consideration the health, welfare and safety of all concerned. Registration will not be accepted if the requested space has already been reserved, or if the university, using its best efforts, cannot make appropriate security arrangements necessary to ensure the health, welfare and safety of its students, faculty and staff.
      
   4. Organizers may also be required to reschedule the event, modify the location or route or other arrangements, in order to achieve the objectives above.
      
      
4. Prohibited Actions
   
   1. The laws of Ohio and the University Code of Regulations prohibit the following:
      
      1. obstructing or disrupting university teaching, research, or administration;
      2. causing, or threatening to cause, injury or harm to persons or property;
      3. incitement of riot;
      4. obstructing the free flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic;
      5. illegally possessing or using firearms, explosives, or other weapons, chemicals, or fire extinguishers;
      6. failing to comply with the orders or directives of university officials, police, or any other law enforcement officers acting within the scope of their duties.
         
   2. Use of sound amplification equipment within 500 feet of university buildings, or in a manner obstructive or disruptive of university functioning, is prohibited.
      
   3. Demonstration activities may not take place inside university buildings, unless permission is granted by the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services or designee and by the director of public safety at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the planned activity.
      
      
5. Violations
   If the demonstration or march violates any of the sections of this document it shall be subject to immediate cancellation and the disbanding of all participants by order of the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services or designee.
   
   
6. Enforcement
   
   1. Any persons failing to disband from a demonstration or march upon being ordered pursuant to paragraph E. shall be in violation of this policy, and subject to appropriate sanctions. Students and student organizations in violation of their regulation shall be subject to the sanctions of the Code of Student Conduct and/or arrest for violation of the law. Persons not registered as students who are in violation of this regulation may be subject to arrest.
      
   2. In the event of an emergency situation in which, in the judgment of authorized Public Safety personnel, riot or harm to persons or property is imminent, the on-duty supervisor may order dispersal and cancellation of the demonstration or march prior to obtaining an order from the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services or designee, as set forth in paragraph E.
      
7. Appeal
   Any individual or group convinced that arbitrary, unlawful or unreasonable limitations have been imposed upon any demonstration under the provision of these regulations, may appeal to the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services.
   
   
8. Steering Committee on Campus Dissent/Disruption
   A steering committee, chaired by the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, shall manage any periods of prolonged student dissent or disruption on the campus. This committee will be comprised of the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services as chair, the director of public safety, the director of the Office of Public Relations, the president of the University Faculty, the chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, the chair of the Student Affairs Committee, the president of Student Government, the president of residential communities association, the director of the Office of Legal Affairs, the director of residence services, the director of campus activities and orientation, and the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services. This group will meet as often as deemed necessary by the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, and shall determine appropriate action based on the input of all representatives. The vice president for student affairs and enrollment services will facilitate communication with the activist leaders, serve as spokesperson for the university, and keep the president of the university fully apprised.