Purpose

This policy establishes procedures for organizing and conducting campus demonstrations while protecting students’ rights to free expression, academic freedom, and peaceful assembly. It ensures that demonstrations occur in a safe, orderly, and non-disruptive manner that does not interfere with the University’s educational mission or operations.

Scope

This policy applies to all registered Hofstra University students and recognized student organizations seeking to conduct demonstrations on University property. It governs the approval process, permitted locations, time, place, and manner restrictions, participant conduct, safety requirements, and enforcement measures for campus demonstrations.

Policy

This policy sets forth the University procedures that govern student demonstrations. Through its policy on Academic Freedom for Hofstra students, the University recognizes that in their pursuit of knowledge, critical thinking and understanding, students should be free to enjoy open-minded inquiry both inside and outside the classroom. Hand in hand with this freedom comes the obligation of all members of the University community to act in a manner that is orderly, peaceful, and non-disruptive to the regular activities of the University.

There may be occasions when students may choose to organize a demonstration on campus to share their views on a topic including but not limited to public awareness events, vigils, processions, etc. Registered Hofstra University students and recognized student organizations may engage in peaceful demonstrations pursuant to this policy. The regulation of time, place, and manner for all campus demonstrations is a legitimate and necessary obligation of the University to ensure that the necessary activities of the University are free (A) from unreasonable disruption.

Therefore, any registered Hofstra University student(s) or student organization that wishes to hold an on-campus demonstration must fill out a Campus Demonstration Proposal Form at least five (5) days prior to the proposed demonstration and return it to the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, Room 244 in the Mack Student Center. This form can be found on the OSLE Policies & Procedures pages of the Hofstra website. The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement will work in conjunction with the Dean of Students and Public Safety on both the review and approval of the demonstration.

Registration of a campus demonstration by the University does not imply acceptance or endorsement by the University of the views expressed. Participation is limited to registered Hofstra students and employees only.

In planning a demonstration, the organizers and participants must observe regulations pertaining to the use of campus facilities and outdoor spaces as well as policies listed here in the Guide to Pride and Faculty Policy Series #12 and #12A. It is a violation of this policy to:

• Physically hinder entrances to, exits from, or passageways within, or cause damage to, any University building, property, or other structure, or hinder the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic into or on the campus.

• (B) Create a volume of noise that prevents members of the University community from performing their normal campus activities. Bullhorns are not permitted. Any use of amplified sound must be approved through the Campus Demonstration Proposal Form and can be denied at the discretion of the University. If approved, all use of amplified sound will be provided and managed by the University.

• Prevent or attempt to prevent the orderly conduct of a University function or activity, such as lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, or public events.

• Employ force or violence, or constitute an immediate threat of force or violence, against persons or property. Possession or use of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, open flames, candles, torches, poles, sticks or objects that may be deemed harmful and or other weapons as part of a campus demonstration is strictly prohibited.

• Wearing a facial covering or disguise that obscures any part of the face or prevents recognition. Students may be asked to temporarily remove masks.

• Constructing structures, of any kind, on-campus.

• Conducting a demonstration at an unapproved location.

• Conducting a demonstration outside of the approved time period.

• Otherwise acting in a manner that disrupts the regular and essential operations of the University.

In order to facilitate the safe conduct of demonstrations on campus, the University has adopted the provisions set forth below:

• The University has designated locations for demonstrations to ensure minimal disruption to the operations of the campus community.

  • Hofstra Hall: common hour - Mondays and Wednesdays from 1pm-2:25pm

  • Pride Park: between the hours of 9am- 9pm Additional considerations on North Campus may be made on a case-by-case basis.

• Demonstrations can be held up until the last day of undergraduate classes but cannot be held on study days or exam periods.

• All participants must be prepared to show proper identification if prompted by University officials.

The University reserves the right in its discretion to cancel demonstrations in the event of any policy violations. In addition, failure to comply with instructions provided by Public Safety or other University officials prior to or during a campus demonstration may result in the demonstration being cancelled or dispersed and may subject those involved to student disciplinary proceedings under the Code of Conduct. It is the responsibility of the demonstration organizer to educate participants about these guidelines and to immediately report any disorderly conduct to Public Safety.

Related Policies and References

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