[jpelletier]

Hi Yakima-
Our University Space Rules govern Free Speech on campus, that guiding document is available here: https://freedomofexpression.osu.edu/documents/university-space-rules.pdf

We are in the same place of education over limitation, so even for demonstrations that might occur in common/public spaces in the union, I generally try to connect with a perceived leader of the group, to let them know what we can and cannot accommodate.

For outdoor space, there are time/place/manner limitations in the document that we can point to, which we would typically only do if we were to receive a complaint from someone.?

Similarly for indoor space in the union, I would only ask someone to cease using amplified sound (a megaphone or other speaker) if we got a complaint from a client who had a reservation.

Most of our outdoor space around campus is reservable, and are also the locations where demonstrations and activists would want to be. Since most of it is also free to use, we only ask them to move if there is a reservation booked in that same spot. The plaza spaces adjacent to the union have a cost to reserve them, so usually asking the group how they’d like to pay for the space for the day helps them move along!

As you likely know, there’s not a lot we can do about offensive speech, since that too is free speech. We do our best to stay content-neutral, and bring in colleagues from legal affairs and public safety if it truly rises to the level of hate speech or specific threats to individuals.

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Jeff Pelletier, MA, MBOE, LSSBB
Ohio Union Director
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-292-3290
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2022 14:33
From: Yakima Melton
Subject: Free Speech Practices

Hello Everyone,
 I am wondering if any of your current facilities (or institutions as a whole) have a practice in place that addresses use of campus space for free speech, demonstrations, etc. Our campus encourages free speech and we are not looking to restrict but rather educate and also have policies in place that are consistent.

Currently, we have a large area outside of our Union that is very attractive for student protests and demonstrations. We have also had outside community members  arrive who are verbalizing some hateful language and rhetoric that is very offensive to students. 

We have a  loose practice that says outdoor “reservable space” is not allowed to be taken up for free speech, demonstrations, etc. When individuals arrive, we state our policy but we don’t instruct them where they can go, just that they can’t be in that specific area in front of the building. There are also no clear indicators on how we define reservable space or if reservable space is restricted no matter the time of day (after hours or academic breaks when events usually don’t happen, etc.).

I understand there’s no clear cut answer to this specific issue but am curious what other institutions are doing or how they handle this.

——————————
Yakima Melton
Director, Student Unions and Centers
Arizona State University
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[g.combs]

Hello from UMass Boston.? ?Please see the link below for a copy of our Protest and Demonstration Policy.? It is item XI. in our Space Use Policy.?

https://www.umb.edu/editor_uploads/images/campus_center/University_Space_Use_Policy_-_Last_Revised_10-5-17.pdf

Let me echo Jeff Pelletier’s comments regarding time/place/manner.? In my view, that is the foundation of any good protest and demonstration policy.? Free speech is protected, and we would not attempt to limit it…but we do have the right to determine the appropriate time, place and manner in which it occurs.? ?Our policy also highlights activities which we deem as disruptive to university operations.??

Finally, we have also developed a university distribution list to accompany our policy.? The list includes public safety, student affairs, grounds, event services, the campus center and various other university leaders.? ?If anyone on the list encounters a protest, demonstration or a free-speech gathering (we have traveling preachers which regularly show up unannounced), a message goes out to the distribution list.? We connect with the leader, introduce ourselves, provide contact information and discuss the location.? Depending on the situation, we may ask the group to relocate, cease use of amplified sound, etc.? A public safety officer may be stationed nearby, and a member of the distribution list always stays at the event for the duration.

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Geoff Combs
Executive Director, Campus Center & Event Services
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston MA
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——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2022 14:33
From: Yakima Melton
Subject: Free Speech Practices

Hello Everyone,
 I am wondering if any of your current facilities (or institutions as a whole) have a practice in place that addresses use of campus space for free speech, demonstrations, etc. Our campus encourages free speech and we are not looking to restrict but rather educate and also have policies in place that are consistent.

Currently, we have a large area outside of our Union that is very attractive for student protests and demonstrations. We have also had outside community members  arrive who are verbalizing some hateful language and rhetoric that is very offensive to students. 

We have a  loose practice that says outdoor “reservable space” is not allowed to be taken up for free speech, demonstrations, etc. When individuals arrive, we state our policy but we don’t instruct them where they can go, just that they can’t be in that specific area in front of the building. There are also no clear indicators on how we define reservable space or if reservable space is restricted no matter the time of day (after hours or academic breaks when events usually don’t happen, etc.).

I understand there’s no clear cut answer to this specific issue but am curious what other institutions are doing or how they handle this.

——————————
Yakima Melton
Director, Student Unions and Centers
Arizona State University
——————————