Student Activism Guidelines

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for students, faculty and staff in developing positive and educational campus involvement experiences. It is in the spirit of engaging students, faculty and staff in discourse, fostering open debate in a respectful manner and encouraging free speech within a safe environment.

Student Rights

Students have the right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association that is accorded to all persons by the Constitution. They may support causes by lawful means that do not disrupt the regular and essential operations of the College or the operations of organizations authorized to use College facilities.

Consistent with the Inver Hills Community College Code of Conduct, students are afforded the following freedoms that include, but are not limited to the following.

Freedom of Expression: Individual students and student organizations are encouraged to examine questions of interest and to express opinions publicly and privately. In the classroom, students may take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.

Freedom of Association: Students may organize and join organizations to promote their common and lawful interests, subject to institutional policies or regulations. Registration or recognition may be withheld or withdrawn from organizations that violate institutional regulations.

Student-Sponsored Forums, Demonstrations and Protests: Students may assemble, select speakers, and discuss issues of their choice. The College shall establish reasonable time, place and manner restrictions to assure that the assembly does not substantially disrupt the work of the institution or does not substantially interfere with the opportunity of other students to obtain an education or otherwise infringe upon the rights of others. Such regulations shall not be used as a means of censorship. The President or designee may prohibit any forum when holding the event, in his or her judgment, would result in physical harm or threat of physical harm to persons or property. Prior to any such prohibition, the President shall make his/her best effort to consult with a designated member of the Student Senate.

First Amendment principles and Minnesota State Statutes acknowledge and affirm the rights of individuals to petition peacefully and in an orderly manner. This policy on demonstrations and protests is in keeping with these principles and rights.

1. The College permits peaceful demonstrations and protests for the purpose of attracting attention to specific causes and to express grievances.
2. Sponsors of demonstrations or protests must secure a facility use permit and notify the Director of Facilities Management at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled activity.
3. Peaceful demonstrations and protests so registered will be permitted in specific indoor and/or outdoor areas as designated by the Director of Facilities Management and Planning or Dean of Students. Such activity is not permitted inside academic buildings, offices, classrooms or laboratories.
4. At no time shall a demonstration or protest block individuals from proper and lawful access to and egress from College buildings and facilities.
5. The College will intervene in the conduct of demonstrations when statutes are violated, when others are deprived of their rights or when operations of the College are disrupted.
6. Students who violate the College Code of Conduct in the course of a demonstration or protest may be subject to disciplinary action under the student conduct system as well as penalties under applicable state laws. Minnesota Statute Section 624.72 addresses the issue of demonstrations and states that, "Whoever, intentionally, or through coercion, force or intimidation, denies or interferes with the lawful right of another to the free access to or egress from or to use or remain in or upon public property or in a like manner interferes with the transaction of public business therein or thereon may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than $3,000 or both."
7. The College permits the use of its facilities by student organizations, individual students and the public. College activities are given priority for use of facilities over individual students or outside groups. Individuals or groups desiring to use space must make submit a facility use permit to the College Administration, upper level, Liberal Arts Building. Nominal charges may be made if the event requires special equipment, additional personnel and/or extended building hours.
8. The administrator responsible for issuing facility use permits shall approve applications properly completed unless there is reason to believe:

A. The facility is inadequate or inappropriate for the planned event.
B. The organization is under disciplinary penalty prohibiting its use of College facilities.
C. The proposed use includes an activity that would violate state law, city ordinance or College policy.
D. The proposed use would constitute an immediate or potential danger to the peace or security of the College that available law enforcement officers could not control or would disrupt or disturb other scheduled programs.
E. The proposed activity would constitute an unauthorized or perceived joint sponsorship with a private individual or organization.

Time, Place, and Manner Regulations

The time, place, and manner of exercising speech on the campus are subject to regulations adopted by College administration. Orderly conduct, non-interference with College functions and activities, identification of sponsoring groups or individuals is required. In most cases, groups or individuals who are not officially recognized by the IHCC Student Senate will be directed to specific locations, e.g., public sidewalks, where they may protest or demonstrate. Outdoor sound amplification will be permitted only with the approval of the President or his/her designee.

Disruption of Academic or Operational Functions

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the right to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association that is accorded to all persons by the Constitution. Students and student organizations may examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and express opinion publicly as well as privately. They may support causes by lawful means that do not disrupt the operations of the College or the operations of organizations authorized to use College facilities.

When an activity first occurs that interferes with the academic or operational functions of the college, every attempt will be made to resolve the matter through voluntary compliance, cooperation, and the exercise of restraint by all parties involved. If the disruptive activity continues, the President or designee shall take the following steps:

1. Those persons engaged in the disruptive behavior shall be asked to identify themselves.
2. If activities (protests/demonstrations) are occurring that are threatening to the safety of the participants and arrests appear to be warranted, the arrests will be made only after the Director of Facility Planning and Management or designee has consulted with the President or designee providing: a) there is an opportunity to do so; and, b) there is no immediate safety threat to participants.
3. The Director of Facility Planning and Management or designee shall advise them of their legal obligations, urge them to stop the disruptive activity, and give them notice according to the state and local laws. If those individuals refuse to identify themselves or refuse to stop the disruption, the Inver Grove Heights police will be called.
4. Individuals engaged in disruptive behaviors who refuse to identify themselves or who refuse to stop the disruption shall also be subject to interim suspension from the college. They shall be informed by the Dean of Students as to the process for violations of the IHCC Code of Conduct.

Policy revised and approved: March, 2003