Expressive Activity Policy

State Tech is committed to providing an environment where issues can be openly discussed and explored. The freedom to exchange views is essential to the mission of the college. This policy is in place to provide a community environment in which open discussion can occur without disrupting the academic mission or daily college functions, subject to constitutional time, place, and manner limitations and without unconstitutionally interfering with the rights of others.

All individuals may exercise the right of assembly, free speech, and expression throughout the outdoor areas of campus, when doing so does not disrupt the academic mission or daily college functions, and is consistent with college policy regarding time, place, and manner limitations. Expressive activities will not be limited to any specific outdoor areas on the college campus. However, the right of assembly and expression does not include unlawful activity that endangers the safety of the campus community or that destroys college property. Expressive activities are not to unduly disrupt traffic, either vehicular or pedestrian, or violate other time, place, and manner parameters specified in this policy.

The Information Technology Center on campus is the most appropriate for outdoor forums, rallies, demonstrations, and other similar activities.

Individuals are not restricted to this outdoor location for expressive activities. Priority to use the location will be as follows:

• Members of the college community with a reservation
• Other individuals or groups with a reservation
• Members of the college community without a reservation on a first come, first serve basis
• Other individuals or groups without a reservation on a first come, first serve basis

Any member of the college community or outside the college community may reserve this location through the President’s Office at 573-897-5120. The college encourages everyone to coordinate with the President’s Office before conducting expressive activity on campus so appropriate arrangements can be made.

This policy will be construed and applied on a content neutral basis. The following is a list of parameters for the time, place, and manner of activities that apply to all expressive activities on campus:

• The activity may not violate local ordinances or state or federal laws.
• The activity may not unduly disrupt traffic, either vehicular or pedestrian, or interfere with the ingress or egress to or from any building.
• The activity may not create unreasonable safety risks.

Participants in the activity must not carry or bring to the activity the following items: weapons of any kind (including but not limited to those defined in Missouri Revised Statute § 571.010), ammunition, explosives, body armor, helmets, mace/pepper spray, full masks, vehicles (including but not limited to motorcycles, automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts and bicycles), torches, and any other item identified by the College as increasing the risk of injury to event attendees and the campus community, including without limitation, any item identified in the activity may not deface or destroy, or create an unreasonable risk of defacing or destroying college or other property.

Noise levels are not to interfere with classes, meetings, campus events or operations and activities on campus.

No event may exceed 8 hours in length in a 24 hour day.

The location will be left in its original condition at the conclusion of the event, and reasonable charges or deposits may be imposed to enforce this requirement.

Expression that is obscene, defamatory, or consists of fighting words, threats of physical harm, incites imminent lawless action is not permitted.

Generally, indoor college spaces are not appropriate for forums, rallies, demonstrations, or similar activities; however, such activities may be permitted inside college facilities under the following conditions.

• Are silent demonstrations (e.g., “sit-ins”)
• Do not interfere with the reasonable operations of the specific indoor space
• Comply with campus instruction
• Do not extend beyond the business hours of the college’s indoor space, or
• Do not otherwise violate any policy of the college.
• The College recognizes that individuals or groups may be opposed to certain expressive activities or speakers. Disagreement with different opinions is acceptable; however, use of violence or violation of law or college policy is counter to creating an environment where issues can be openly discussed. An individual or group wishing to protest an event is subject to the same standards as the presenters. Individuals who choose to listen bear the responsibility of recognizing and honoring the right of free speech.

Violations of this policy may result in removal from campus, police arrest, and/or criminal charges. Members of the college community are subject to disciplinary actions. Any police arrest and criminal charges of students, faculty, or staff are separate from college disciplinary actions.

LINE OF AUTHORITY

Responsible administrator or office: Office of the President

Contact person in that office: Executive Assistant of the President

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 2023

Presidential approval: August 16, 2023