Public Affairs and Development

85.01   Freedom of Expression                                                                            Issued: December 7, 2001

1.     Purpose

        The purpose of these procedures is to address freedom of expression. Political Campaign Events are
        covered under University Rule 33.01.01.P1. Sales and solicitation activities are covered under
        departmental procedures administered by the Director of Student Center Operations.

2.     Overview

        Prairie View A&M University is committed to providing an educational and work climate that is
        conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual. To fulfill its missions as an
        institution of higher learning, it encourages the free exchange of ideas. The University will protect the
        rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition to peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S.
        Constitution. Prairie View A&M University maintains its right to regulate reasonable time, place and         manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent. Any acts that are disruptive to the
        normal operations of the universities, including classes and university business, or that invade the
        rights of others will not be tolerated. Faculty, staff and students engaging in disruptive action may be         subject to disciplinary action. Any participant in a disruptive activity may face criminal charges.

3.     Use of Free Speech Area

        Students or a University-recognized organization (including departments, colleges, and divisions)
        may sponsor speakers or programs for its own group or for the entire University community.
        Organizations desiring to sponsor an event on campus must complete the Special Events Occupancy
        Request Form (See Administrative Procedure 40.07, Attachment 2). Forms may be obtained from
        the Student Activities Office. Forms should be submitted five business days prior to the event. Use of
        the space will be assigned to the person or organization that requests the area first. The University
        reserves the right to locate any assembly so as to ensure that the activity does not interfere with the
        normal operation of the University or interfere with the rights of others.

        The Free Speech area is:      Area immediately adjacent to the water fountain.

4.     Guidelines

        4.1     The time, place and manner of eligible activities may be regulated to prevent unreasonable
                  interference or conflict with the educational, research, outreach, or other legitimate functions
                  of the University.

        4.2     Activities on campus may not be conducted in a manner that violates:

                 a.   federal, state, or local law,
                 b.   System Policies or Regulations or University Rules or Procedures or
                 c.   applicable fire and safety regulations.

       4.3     Public area activities shall neither impede pedestrian and vehicular traffic entrances to or exits
                from University structures, nor disrupt official University activities or University authorized
                activities.

      4.4     The affixing or posting of signs, banners, and other material must be approved in advance by the                Office of Student Activities.

      4.5     In furtherance of the educational, research, service and other legitimate functions of the                University, no part of the campus is generally available for organized activities before 7 am or after                10 pm, except for official University activities or University authorized activities.

      4.6    Sound amplification must be approved in advance to help insure that it does not interfere with                classes or other activities.

      4.7    The sponsoring organization will be responsible for cleaning the activity area of debris and trash.

5.    Violations

       5.1    Any speaker/presenter who violates any of the provisions of these procedures may be denied                approval for future requests to use University property or may be otherwise restricted in their use                of University property. 

      5.2     Any speaker/presenter whose violations of these procedures also constitute violations of federal,                state or local laws, System Policies or Regulations, or University Rules or Procedures will be
               subject to all applicable sanctions of those laws, policies, regulations, rules or procedures.

     5.3     Failure to abide by the laws and guidelines described above may result in immediate removal from                the campus and any other appropriate action by university officials and/or university police.

Point of Contact:  Vice President for Student Affairs
                                Vice President for Business Affairs