I. Policy Statement

The mission of the University of Puget Sound (“Puget Sound” or “university”) is to develop in its students capacities for critical analysis, aesthetic appreciation, sound judgment, and apt expression that will sustain a lifetime of intellectual curiosity, active inquiry, and reasoned independence. In support of this mission, the university is and must be a site for the free expression of ideas. Respectful debate, civil discussion and thoughtful deliberation may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even most members of the campus community to be offensive or unwise. It is not the proper role of the university to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find uncomforting, disagreeable, or offensive.

The university respects and champions the right of all members of its campus community to explore and to discuss questions that interest them, to express opinions publicly and privately, and to join together to demonstrate their concern by orderly means. The university will respect and defend free inquiry and the exchange of criticism and ideas, and expects all members of the campus community to show due respect for the opinions of others. The university recognizes that assemblies, protests and demonstrations can be a necessary and acceptable means of expression in the Campus Community. Membership in the Campus Community obliges each person to respect the right of others to express differing opinions, to insist on intellectual honesty, to promote free inquiry, and to participate in that community with fairness, integrity and respect for others. Consistent with this obligation, it is the policy of the university to protect the right of voluntary assembly, to make its facilities available for peaceful assembly as described herein, to welcome guest speakers, and to protect the exercise of these rights from material disruption or interference. Assemblies, protests and demonstrations become unacceptable when they obstruct the exchange of ideas or materially disrupt or interfere with the essential operations of the university. Such disruption or interference inhibits speech and acts as a form of censorship, irrespective of who initiates it or the reasons for it.

The university also respects the right of each member of the Campus Community to be free from coercion, defamation, and harassment. Discouraging and addressing conduct that is materially disruptive or incites violence or harm to people or property does not threaten academic freedom or the exercise of free expression; it is, rather, a necessary condition of its very existence. The expression of dissent and the attempt to produce change should not be carried out in ways which impede the functions of the university, injure individuals, damage institutional facilities or disrupt classes or other Essential Operations of the university. Therefore, the university will not allow conduct on its premises that materially disrupts its operations.

This Policy is adopted to expand upon the university’s Statement on Academic Freedom and the Exercise of Free Speech and complement other campus policies, codes, and standards related to speech and expression. In the event of a conflict, this Policy shall govern.

II. Coverage

This Policy applies to all members of the Campus Community.

Those who are not current members of the Campus Community have no right or entitlement to speak or engage in expressive activity on University Premises without the university’s approval or agreement, and they may be removed at any time regardless of whether they are creating a Material Disruption.

III. Definitions

Assembly: See “Event” below.

Campus Community: Current faculty, staff members, students, and trustees of the university.

Demonstration: See “Event” below.

Disorderly Conduct: Intentionally or recklessly engaging in a violent, forceful, obscene, dangerous, threatening, or intimidating conduct, or inciting others to engage in such individual or collective conduct that:

  1. Willfully inhibits the academic pursuits or educational activities of others; or
  2. Willfully infringes on the rights, privacy, or privileges of others.

Disruptive Conduct: Intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct or inciting others to engage in conduct that creates or results in a Material Disruption.

Essential Operations: The essential operations of the university encompasses:

  1. Accessibility for students, staff, and faculty to all university facilities, buildings, walkways, streets, and hallways that they are authorized to access, including allowing for safe entrance to and emergency evacuation from university buildings, facilities, walkways, streets, and hallways.
  2. Activities performed by university faculty, students, staff, vendors, or volunteers to maintain the integrity, security, and/or safety of university infrastructure, property, and systems.
  3. Campus events – specifically, the right of faculty, students, staff, and guests to attend or access campus events including, but not limited to: athletic events, guest lecturers or speakers, and musical or theater performances.
  4. Educational activities for students and faculty during instructional periods, including, but not limited to: classes, laboratories, lectures, experiential learning, and rehearsals.

Event (also referred to as “Assembly, Protest and Demonstration”): A planned event by an Event Sponsor(s) to peaceably assemble members within or outside of the campus community (or both), in order to advocate as a group for a particular position or cause. Such events encompass protests, demonstrations, marches, rallies, sit-ins, picketing, and vigils or any other similar activity at a campus location.

Event Sponsor: A member of the Campus Community, or a university department, unit, or recognized group who takes responsibility for organizing, planning, and directing an Event. In the event that a group is the Event Sponsor, the head of the department/unit or the founder(s)/leader(s)/advisor(s) of the recognized group are responsible for assuring compliance with all relevant university policies and procedures and accountable for any violations.

Excessive Noise: Intentionally or recklessly causing excessive noise that:

  1. Substantially inhibits the academic pursuits or educational activities of others; or
  2. Substantially infringes on the rights, privacy or privileges of others.

Good faith: Acting with honesty or sincerity of intention based on the information reasonably known or available at the time.

Material Disruption: Any activity that has the effect of:

  1. Intentionally and substantially interfering with the Essential Operations of the university; or
  2. Improperly restraining or restricting freedom of movement, speech, assembly, or access to premises or activities by any individual who is a member of the university community or guest of the university or of any of its organizations in connection with that individual’s performance of legitimate activities or duties within or at the university; or
  3. Intentionally hindering or infringing upon the rights of others, including but not limited to, the ability of others to attend, see, hear, speak, access, or participate in campus events or activities; or 
  4. Intentionally intimidating or materially threatening the safety of persons or property.

University Premises: University owned and controlled grounds, buildings, and/or vehicles.

IV. Peaceable Assembly and Free Expression on Campus

A. Time, Place, and Manner

The university’s Statement on Academic Freedom and the Exercise of Free Speech outlines its approach to determining appropriate time, place, and manner of speech and expressive activity on University Premises, including Assemblies, Protests and Demonstrations.

More specifically, the university’s Essential Operations must not be materially disrupted. All activities must be conducted in a peaceable manner:

  1. Threats of force, use of force, use of intimidating tactics, incitements to violence, and unwelcome physical contact are all prohibited.
  2. Assemblies, Protests and Demonstrations must not block access to the venue in which another event is being held.
  3. All building occupancy limits, fire safety regulations, and other applicable laws must be followed.
  4. Individuals or groups, including Event Sponsor(s), may not seize control of a classroom, lecture, debate, public forum or directly or indirectly prevent a speaker from speaking for one’s own purposes, even if for a short period of time.
  5. Individuals or groups, including Event Sponsor(s), may not enter, occupy, or use any university space, room or facility without authorization or in a manner not permitted by the standard rules or policies governing use of that space.
  6. Refusal to leave a university facility when requested by a university official is considered unauthorized use of that space.
  7. Individuals may be required to provide proof that they are members of the Campus Community.
  8. No weapons or open flames are permitted, except open flames that have been approved in advance for a specific event by the Office of the Provost, Marketing and Communications, or the Division of Student Affairs in consultation with Facilities Services and Security Services.
  9. The university may restrict or prohibit the use of outdoor amplification equipment.
  10. The university may restrict or prohibit the building/assembling of any structure on campus, including tents or other encampment structures.
  11. Organizers must remove all items and materials upon the activity’s conclusion.

B. Engaging in Peaceful Assembly, Including Protests and Demonstrations

Acts of peaceful assembly, including Protests and Demonstrations, are permitted at the university, under the conditions that follow, with the university reserving the right to restrict behaviors that directly interfere with or materially disrupt Essential Operations. All Events are subject to oversight as described in Section IV.C, below.

Any Event requires that the Event Sponsor(s) must notify Security Services in advance of the Event, meet with Security Services in advance to develop a safety plan for the Event, and follow any other guidelines or procedures adopted by the university.

C. University Oversight of Events

Security Services and/or other appropriate university administrators and/or outside law enforcement will be present at any Event as determined reasonably necessary to monitor the Event. Such monitoring is intended to assure that the university’s requirements are met, to implement any approved safety plan as appropriate, to help avoid interference with the Event, to help avoid injury or destruction of property, and to avoid any Material Disruption of Essential Operations. A university representative may ask those involved to relocate to an alternate location or modify their activities otherwise to not interfere with the rights of others, including the right to listen or participate in the campus event or Essential Operation. Individuals or groups, including Event Sponsor(s), who fail to comply with such requests violate this Policy and may be subject to additional action.

V. Violations

Any action or communication that violates this Policy, any other university policy, standard, or code, or federal, state, or local law is prohibited. In such circumstances, the university will attempt to resolve the violation(s) informally if appropriate and possible; however, the university reserves the right to take any steps necessary to assure the safety of the campus and its Community Members, which may include ending the Event.

Members of the Campus Community engaging in materially disruptive action or disorderly conduct may be subject to losing privileges for facilities/space use and/or disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or separation.

Members of the Campus Community and other persons may also or instead be charged with violations of law.

In addition, parties and/or person(s) may be held financially responsible for violations of this Policy that result in damages to university property. Charges will be based on the labor and materials needed to address the damage by Facilities Services.

VI. Effective Date

This policy is effective as of September 12, 2024.

VII. Related Statutes, Regulations, and Policies

Policy Owner: 
Division of General Counsel and Risk Management
Division of Student Affairs

Policy Contact: generalcounsel@pugetsound.edu; dos@pugetsound.edu 

Date Adopted: September 12, 2024 (Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees)

Date Last Reviewed: September 12, 2024

Date Last Revised: N/A

Guidelines and Expectations for Assemblies, Protests and Demonstrations

These guidelines are designed to provide additional information to those wishing to plan or participate in assemblies, protests, demonstrations, or vigils on campus. The questions and answers that follow supplement and are subordinate to existing relevant university policies, statements, and codes.

A1: No. The University of Puget Sound is private property. This means that the university is able to establish appropriate uses of its campus space, including restrictions on its use, in order to ensure that its essential operations are able to continue free from any material disruption.

Consistent with the parameters of the First Amendment and our mission, the university recognizes the importance of allowing space for members of the campus community to peaceably assemble and express themselves and has adopted community standards that promote academic freedom and free speech and do so in a manner that protects all members of the campus community’s rights and safety. Our commitment to the free exchange of ideas includes the right to assemble, protest, and demonstrate in accordance with university policies designed to respect the rights, promote dignity, and protect the safety of campus members and guests.

A2: Consistent with our standards, protests must be sponsored, organized, and led by current Puget Sound students, faculty, or staff members and must follow all relevant laws and campus policies and standards. Individuals who are not associated with the university community, but who are invited guests, are welcome to attend as long as they too adhere to all relevant laws and campus policies and standards.

A3: There are two main policies that are relevant to hosting a protest on campus: 1) Statement on Academic Freedom and the Exercise of Free Speech and, for students, 2) the Student Integrity Code. You may also want to be familiar with the university’s Code of Conduct, Policy on Political Activity and Lobbying, Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Sexual Misconduct, Statement on Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination, and Policy on Assemblies, Protests, & Demonstrations.

A4: Puget Sound staff are here to help make sure your protest is successful. You should notify and meet with Security Services at least one week in advance of any planned protest – or otherwise as soon as possible – to ensure that your event can be safely held at an appropriate location on campus.

A5: Anyone hosting a protest is expected to:

  1. Read and understand the Statement on Academic Freedom and the Exercise of Free Speech, Student Integrity Code and Policies on Assemblies, Protests & Demonstrations.
  2. At least one week prior to any on-campus protest, send an email to security@pugetsound.edu requesting a meeting to discuss safety planning. Include contact information and the name of the Event Sponsor.
  3. Meet with the Director of Security Services or designee to discuss details and logistics of the planned protest, including relevant laws, university policies, and standards.
  4. Ensure that the protest complies with all relevant laws, policies and standards, including not creating a material disruption on campus that substantially interferes with essential operations of the university.
  5. Return the event site to its original state immediately following the protest.

A6: The university will preserve space on campus for campus-sponsored protests to occur. Whether a location is safe and appropriate for protest will be dependent on a number of specific factors at the time of the event. The university retains the right to request that a group relocate otherwise permissible activities due to the development of safety concerns at any time.

Specifically, if a protest causes a material disruption to a campus event or essential operation, Security Services or another university official may ask those involved to relocate to an alternate location or modify activities otherwise to not interfere with the rights of others, including the right to listen.

Please note that protests in any approved area must still not interfere with people’s access to sidewalks, buildings, educational activities, or employment obligations.

Protests in any university location that is not approved may result in the protest being relocated or discontinued.

A7: A vigil is a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, or somberly memorializes a specific person or event. Before campus community members plan a vigil on campus, they should first contact the Office of the Chaplaincy to determine if similar programming is already in development.

The university does not allow open fires on university premises. If candles are utilized during a vigil they must be battery operated or dripless (must have candle holder for wax to collect). Dripless hand-held candles with flames are allowed as long as the appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the occupants and prevent an uncontrolled fire. Vigil activities must remain in the approved space and may not travel to other parts of campus. If there are multiple groups wishing to host a similar vigil for the same reason, staff will recommend collaboration between the groups.

All signs or remembrances other than flowers must be removed following a vigil. Flowers may remain at outdoor locations after the vigil for up to 48 hours; however, if other reservations for the space exist within that time period the flowers may be removed sooner. Damaged items or any items other than flowers may be removed at any time. After 48 hours, any remaining flowers will be removed.

During a vigil, all essential university operations and activities must be able to proceed. Any person participating in your vigil may not block any walkways or prevent other community members from moving around campus.

Members of the campus community involved in any vigil are responsible for meeting their academic requirements and/or employment obligations, and are also responsible for their conduct, including but not limited to, violations of the university’s Student Integrity Code, Code of Conduct, and the Interim Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Sexual Misconduct.

A8: The university recognizes that protests may cause some disruptions to campus activities, but even the First Amendment does not allow an unlimited right to speech and expression. Consistent with the law, protests on campus must not cause a material disruption to the university’s essential operations.

Essential operations of the university include activities such as:

  • Assuring all university facilities, buildings, walkways, streets, and hallways that faculty, staff, and students are authorized to access are accessible, including allowing for safe entrance to and emergency evacuation from university buildings, facilities, walkways, streets, and hallways.
  • Maintaining the integrity, security, and/or safety of university infrastructure, property, and systems.
  • Attending campus events – specifically, the right of faculty, students, staff, and guests to attend or access campus events including, but not limited to: athletic events, guest lecturers or speakers, and musical or theater performances.
  • Participating in educational activities, such as students and faculty engagement during instructional periods, including, but not limited to: classes, laboratories, lectures, experiential learning, and rehearsals.

A material disruption means:

  • Intentionally and substantially interfering with the Essential Operations of the university; Improperly restraining or restricting freedom of movement, speech, assembly, or access to premises or activities by any individual who is a member of the university community or guest of the university or of any of its organizations in connection with that individual’s performance of legitimate activities or duties within or at the university;
  • Intentionally hindering or infringing upon the rights of others, including but not limited to, the ability of others to attend, see, hear, speak, access, or participate in campus events or activities; or
  • Intentionally intimidating or materially threatening the safety of persons or property.

Examples of material disruptions of essential operations include, but are not limited to:

  • Blocking access to doors of buildings so that people cannot go to class or their workspaces.
  • Trying to take over – or taking over – private spaces on the campus: classrooms, offices, residential hall rooms, or event spaces in order to prevent instruction, work, use of a person’s private space, or approved campus events from occurring.
  • Shouting or creating noise outside a class, meeting, or event so loudly that participants are unable to engage in or enjoy the event.
  • Inciting protest attendees to engage in violence against a person, group of people, or property.
  • Vandalizing university property or others’ private property on campus, such as vehicles, bikes, computers or laptops, cell phones, or instructional materials.
  • Physically assaulting other members of the campus community who are trying to maintain order and safety or assure that essential operations can continue.
  • Creating a hostile environment for other members of the campus community by shouting slurs or insulting individuals or groups based on a protected status.
  • Defaming individual members of the campus community by speaking or publishing false information about them that damages their reputation.

A9: The university will attempt to resolve the violation(s) informally if appropriate and possible; however, Event Sponsor(s) or other members of the Campus Community who engage in materially disruptive action or disorderly conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion or separation.

Members of the Campus Community and other persons may also or instead be charged with violations of law.

A10: Members of the campus community involved in a protest are responsible for their academic requirements and/or employment obligations. This means that if you are a student and choose to participate in a protest and miss a test or class assignment without approval, your grade may be affected. If you are an employee (or student-employee) who chooses to participate in a protest and you miss work without approval, you may face counseling or disciplinary action. Please make sure and talk with your teachers and/or supervisors in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.

A11: Yes, again remember that the first amendment does not allow an unlimited right to speech and expression. One of the limitations is that protests on campus must not defame or unlawfully discriminate or harass another member of the campus community or campus groups on the basis of sex, race, color, nation of origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable federal, state or local laws.

See also the university’s Statement on Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination and Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and/or Sexual Misconduct.

A12: Part of preparing for a protest is creating a safety plan that is understood by the Event Sponsor(s) and Security Services. A safety plan is intended to address the potential for counter protests, including identifying alternate locations and steps to maintain separation. Event Sponsor(s) are not allowed to bring in outside/private security, unless approved by Security Services.

If someone tries to substantially interfere with or materially disrupt an approved protest, university officials or outside law enforcement will step in to maintain order and assure that the approved protest can continue for its designated duration consistent with the approved safety plan. If that is not possible, university officials will attempt to relocate the approved protest or identify a future time that it may occur.

Members of the campus community who substantially interfere with or materially disrupt an approved protest may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion or separation.

Members of the campus community and other persons may also or instead be charged with violations of law.

Please note that if you participate in a protest that has not been approved by the university and without a safety plan in place, university officials may end your event and/or may be more limited in the actions it can take to assure your protest continues if others oppose your actions.

A13: If you have questions related to hosting a protest, please contact Security Services at 253.879.3311 or security@pugetsound.edu. Security Services is also available to meet with any campus group, department, or unit.

If you have questions about the student conduct process, please contact the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices at studentaccountability@pugetsound.edu.

If you have questions about unlawful discrimination or harassment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer at 253.879.3793 or titleix-eoo@pugetsound.edu.