2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog

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Civil Disturbance or Demonstrations

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing, and rallies will be peaceful and non-obstructive. A student demonstration should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exists as a result of the demonstration:

  • INTERFERENCE with the normal operations of the University.
  • PREVENTION of access to office, buildings, or other University facilities.
  • THREAT of physical harm to persons or damage to University facilities.

If any of these conditions exist, any faculty or staff member should contact the Vice President of Administration, Security, or Dean of Students. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures listed below should be followed:

Peaceful, Non-Obstructive Demonstrations

Generally, demonstrators of this kind should not be interrupted. Demonstrations should not be obstructed or provoked and efforts should be made to conduct University business as normally as possible. If demonstrators are asked to leave, but refuse to leave by regular facility closing time:

  • Arrangements will be made by the Vice President of Administration, Executive Vice President, or designee to monitor the situation during non-business hours.
  • Determination will be made to treat the violation of regular closing hours as a disruptive demonstration. (See below).

Non-violent, Disruptive Demonstrations

In the event that a demonstration blocks access to university facilities or interferes with the operation of the University:

  • Demonstrations will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by the Vice President of Administration or Executive Vice President.
  • If the demonstrators persist in the disruptive activity, they will be advised that failure to discontinue the specified action within a determined length of time may result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion or possible intervention by the police. Except in extreme emergencies, the President will be consulted before such disciplinary actions are taken.
  • Efforts should be made to secure positive identifications of demonstrators in violation to facilitate later testimony, including photographs if deemed advisable.
  • After consultation with the President, the Vice President of Administration will determine the need for an injunction and intervention of the police.
  • If determination is made to seek the intervention of the police, the demonstrators should be informed of this decision.

Violent, Disruptive Demonstrations

In the event that a violent demonstration in which injury to persons or property occurs or appears eminent, call 911. Then contact Campus Security and the Vice President of Administration. If the Vice President of Administration is unavailable, contact the Executive Vice President or the Dean of Students. If the demonstration is disruptive but it appears that there is no immediate risk of injury to persons or property, the following steps should be taken:

  • Campus Security should be immediately notified of the disturbance.
  • Campus Security will investigate the disruption.
  • The President and the Vice President of Administration, acting in concert with Campus Security, will determine the need for an injunction and the need for police intervention.