Purpose

At Bay Path University, the foundational values that guide our actions are centered on the success and well-being of our learners. The University recognizes that peaceful protest and expressive activity are longstanding forms of civic engagement and contribute to the exchange of ideas that is central to higher education. 

Bay Path University is committed to fostering an environment that supports the free exchange of ideas, respectful dialogue, academic inquiry, and civic engagement. The University supports the rights of members of its University community to engage in peaceful demonstrations, protests, and expressive activities consistent with the University’s educational mission and applicable law. Exposure to a wide array of ideas, viewpoints, opinions, and creative expression is an integral part of a university education as it prepares students for life in a diverse global society. 

This Demonstration, Protest, and Expressive Activity Policy seeks to protect the rights of those wishing to express themselves on campus while also protecting the rights of faculty, staff, students, and visitors to learn, work, teach, and participate in University activities without disruption or threat to their safety. The use of University property or completion of the event registration process does not constitute University sponsorship or endorsement of the viewpoints expressed by participants. 

For additional guidance regarding this policy, students may contact the Office of Student Life & Engagement at studentlife@baypath.edu.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy:

A Demonstration is a form of expressive activity intended to express opinions, advocate for a cause, or raise awareness regarding an issue.

A Protest is a form of expressive activity meant to communicate opposition to or support for a policy, action, event, or issue. 

Expressive Activity includes peaceful speech, rallies, vigils, assemblies, distribution of literature, carrying signs or banners, petitioning, symbolic expression, and other lawful means of communicating ideas or viewpoints. 

Authorized University Officials are University employees designated to carry out responsibilities under this policy, including Student Life staff and Campus Public Safety officers. 

University Community includes currently enrolled students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other individuals authorized to participate in University activities.

This policy is not meant to restrict the lawful expression of ideas or viewpoints. Instead, it establishes reasonable expectations regarding the time, place, and manner in which demonstrations, protests, and expressive activities may occur to protect the educational mission of the University and the rights of all members of the University community.

General Guidelines

Protests, demonstrations, and expressive activities are permitted on campus as long as they are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and lawful manner and do not materially disrupt the educational mission of the University, including classes, research, administrative functions, scheduled events, or other University operations. 

Registration Requirements

All protests, demonstrations, or expressive activities that require the use of University space, anticipate organized participation, or may reasonably impact University operations must be registered with the Office of Student Life & Engagement at least two business days in advance whenever reasonably possible. Registration allows the University to coordinate logistics, safety, and the use of space.

Following review of the registration request, the Office of Student Life & Engagement will coordinate an appropriate location consistent with this policy. 

Demonstrations will generally be accommodated in designated outdoor areas that support safety, accessibility, and the University’s educational mission, including: 

• the Carr Hall side lawn 
• the Ryan Center patio area to the west of the south entrance 
• other areas identified at the time of the event registration, which are open to the public, do not interfere with academic or administrative functions, and do not pose a risk to general safety.

Please consult the campus maps when deciding on a location.

• Longmeadow Campus
• East Longmeadow Campus

Because the Boston and Puerto Rico campuses operate within leased facilities governed by contractual agreements, demonstrations may not be permitted at those locations. When feasible, the Office of Student Life & Engagement will work with students to identify appropriate alternative means of expression.

Approval of a demonstration or protest does not indicate sponsorship by the University.

Time, Place, & Manner Restrictions

• Protests and demonstrations are limited to reasonable times, between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
• The use of sound amplification devices such as bullhorns, PA systems, or airhorns, is prohibited unless approved in writing during the registration process. Amplified sound must not interfere with classroom instruction or other University activities.
• Participants must not block entrances, exits, or pathways, and must allow for the free flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Tents or other similar structures or encampments are not permitted.
• Placards, banners, and signs are permitted, provided they do not pose a safety risk or obstruct the view of others or contain true threats, unlawful harassment, or language that incites imminent violence. Signs must be handheld or displayed in a manner that does not damage University property.
• Sidewalks and streets surrounding the campuses are not addressed by this policy, as these areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Towns of Longmeadow and East Longmeadow and are subject to these town laws and regulations regarding protests and demonstrations.

Responsibilities of Participants

• Members of the University community participating in demonstrations may be required to identify themselves to an authorized University official upon request.
• Participants must comply with reasonable directions from University officials acting within the scope of their responsibilities to protect safety, preserve University operations, and enforce this policy.
• Participants must remain peaceful and not engage in any form of harassment, intimidation, or violence. Those who do will be subject to disciplinary action under the University’s conduct policies.
• Associated temporary installations (e.g. flags, artwork, signs, flowers, sidewalk chalk memorials, or similar displays) must be consistent with the standards set forth in this policy as well as those in the Bulletin Board, Posting & Chalking Policy, approved in writing during the registration process, and dismantled immediately after the event.
• Open flames and burning objects are prohibited. 
• All participants are expected to abide by the Firearm and Weapon Policy and the Alcohol, Drug, and Smoking policy as laid out in the Student Guidebook.
• Individuals who seek to distribute literature or solicit communication with pedestrians on campus must respect a person’s declination to engage in conversation or to accept receipt of the literature. In no circumstance may the distributor follow a person who declines to engage with them. 
• All signs, literature, and promotional materials associated with the Demonstration, Protest, or Expressive Activity must abide by the Bulletin Board, Posting and Chalking Policy set out in the Student Guidebook. 
• Persons or organizations responsible for the activity must remove all resulting signs and litter from the area at the end of the event. The individuals/sponsoring organization(s) will be held financially responsible for any subsequent damage or cleanup by the University.

Enforcement and Compliance

• The University reserves the right to cancel, suspend, relocate, or terminate a protest or demonstration when reasonably necessary, if it is deemed to pose a safety risk, materially disrupt University operations, or violate this policy.
• Remaining in buildings or spaces when told to vacate or remaining in spaces after hours specified in the event registration or when they are otherwise closed will not be tolerated.
• The University reserves the right to station University administrators and safety/security personnel in the vicinity of the protest or demonstration as needed to support the safety of participants and the campus community.
• Participants must comply with the reasonable directions of authorized University officials acting within the scope of their responsibilities. Violations of this policy, may result in removal from the activity, referral through applicable student or employee conduct processes, restriction from future demonstrations, trespass from University property where appropriate, and any other action permitted under University policy or applicable law.

Counter-Protests

Counter-protests may not materially interfere with or prevent another individual or group from engaging in lawful expressive activity. The University may designate separate locations or implement other reasonable measures necessary to protect safety and preserve the rights of all participants. 

Application to External Groups

Unless authorized by the University, individuals who are not members of the University community may not organize or participate in demonstrations or protests on University property, including as participants in demonstrations organized by members of the University community. 

Review and Amendments

This policy will be reviewed periodically by the University administration to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the campus community and to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

The University reserves the right to amend or rescind this policy without advance notice.

Contact Information:

For questions or to register a demonstration, protest, or expressive activity, please contact the Student Life and Engagement department at studentlife@baypath.edu.