Civil Disturbance or Demonstration

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, speeches, 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 offices, buildings or other University facilities.
Threat of physical harm to persons or damage to University facilities.

If any of these conditions exist, University Police should be notified and will be responsible for updating the Operations Center (OC) on any developments. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures listed below should be followed.

Peaceful, Non-obstructive Demonstrations

Generally, demonstrations 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 OC to monitor the situation during non-business hours.
Determination will be made whether or not to treat the violation of regular closing hours as a disruptive demonstration.

Non-violent, Disruptive Demonstrations

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

Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by University Police or a designee.
The OC will consider having a photographer or video camera available for verification/documentation purposes.
Key University personnel and student leaders will be asked by the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Campus Safety Director to go to the area and persuade the demonstrators to desist.
The Vice President of Student Affairs or a designee will go to the area and ask the demonstrators to leave or to discontinue the disruptive activities.
If the demonstrators persist in the disruptive activity, they will be apprised 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 University Police/civil authorities.
Efforts should be made to secure positive identification of demonstrators in violation to facilitate later testimony, including photographs or video tape recordings if deemed advisable.
After consultation with the President and the Executive Council by the OC, the need for an injunction and intervention of University Police/civil authorities will be determined.
If determination is made to seek the intervention of University Police/civil authorities, the demonstrators should be so informed. Upon arrival of the police, the remaining demonstrators will be warned of the intention to arrest.

Violent, Disruptive Demonstrations

In the event that a violent demonstration in which injury to persons or property occurs or appears imminent, the President and the Executive Council will be notified by the OC.
University Police will take action to prevent further escalation and to save lives and University property.
OC will consider courses of action to be presented to include a recommendation to ask for local law enforcement assistance.
University Relations will be notified and asked for assistance to document (videotape or photograph) the event.