Policies & Procedures

Purpose

This policy is intended to provide meaningful opportunities for SUNY Broome students to express their views and to ensure that the time, place, and manner of such expression does not interfere with the safety and security of our campus community or disrupt the regular operations of the campus.

Statement of the Policy

The State University of New York (SUNY) respects and fully supports the rights of free speech guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York. SUNY values the free expression of ideas and supports individuals’ right to assemble.

SUNY Broome students are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry and expression. Subject to applicable content-neutral policy, students are guaranteed the right to engage in peaceful and orderly assemblies—including, but not limited to, protests, demonstrations, rallies, vigils, marches, and picketing—in and upon designated public areas of campus grounds and buildings provided the student(s) have notified the College in accordance with the Freedom of Expression and Assembly Student Procedure at least five (5) business days in advance of said event.

SUNY Broome designates the following as public areas for the purpose of peaceful and orderly assemblies: Quad; Student Center Foyer; practice field adjacent to Parking Lot 4; and Pavilions (see map). SUNY Broome will not interfere with orderly assemblies in these designated areas unless participants engage in any of the following:

1. Conduct that prevents the orderly administration of college classes, lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and other campus events or college operations;
2. Conduct that obstructs the free movement of vehicles or of persons, including, but not limited to in any building or facility, inclusive of blocking hallways and doors;
3. Conduct that includes obscenity, true threats, fighting words, incitement to break the law, destruction of property, defamation, or discriminatory harassment as defined by New York State law and the Student Code of Conduct;
4. Operation of audio amplification equipment in a manner that conflicts with normal college operations or that is deemed injurious to health and safety, or that is in violation of Town of Dickinson ordinances;
5. Constructing or erecting structures, whether or not they are anchored, inclusive of screens and/or objects requiring penetration in concrete or grass, or camp on College grounds without authorization from the Director of Student Activities or their designee, and indoor and outdoor encampment is prohibited;
6. Possession and/or ignition of an open flame of any type, including, but not limited to, torches, butane burners, lanterns, oil lamps, and camp fires. Use of candles require prior written permission from the Director of Student Activities;
7. Assemblies lasting more than one day, duration not to exceed 12 hours in a one-day period, and assemblies between the hours of 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM;
8. Activities that violate the provisions of SUNY Policy 3653, Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order;
9. Activities that violate the provisions of any other applicable campus policy, including but not limited to: the Student Code of Conduct; Rental of College Facilities; Facilities After Hours Use; Use of Facilities for Open Presentations by groups or Individuals Not Affiliated with Campus.

In addition, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

1. Entry into any private office of an administrative officer, member of faculty, or staff member, or entry into any other college area that is not authorized, without permission;
2. Occupation of any building outside of business hours, specific to each building’s hours of operation;
3. Obstruction of any roadways running through or adjoining the college’s campus grounds.

All individuals participating in protests and demonstrations are required to provide a form of College-issued or government-issued identification upon request from a college official.

SUNY Broome takes compliance with this policy very seriously. Students should expect that violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action under the College’s Student Code of Conduct, up to and including interim suspension, suspension, and expulsion and/or criminal charges under New York State law.

Related Policies (by number)

Policy FG7001 Events, Rentals and Facilities Usage; SUNY Policy 3653, Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order; Student Code of Conduct

To Whom it Applies

This policy applies to all registered students and student clubs.

General Guidelines

The following procedures must be followed to ensure the proper scheduling and management of an event held on the SUNY Broome campus:

• Procedure FG7001.3
• Procedure FG7001.4 Use of Facilities for Informational Tabling by groups or Individuals Not Affiliated with Campus
• Procedure SA5003.1 Freedom of Expression & Assembly Student Procedure

Action