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UNIV--115 Policy on Demonstrations or Protests

Document Number: UNIV--115
Revision #: 1.0
Document Owner: Dean of Students
Date Last Updated: 11/21/2025
Primary Author: General Counsel
Status: Approved
Date Originally Created:
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General Description
Description: Policy Regulating Approval and Oversight of Demonstrations on Campus.
Purpose: Delineation of policy.
Scope: All University Constituents
Responsibility:
  * Dean of Students

  * University Security Services
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In order to comply with this policy you should know:

Current University policy

Federal statutes

State statutes

Local statutes

 

Terms and Definitions:
Demonstrations and Protests
Community Standards
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Policy Provisions

Cumberland University (“the University”) is committed to fostering an environment wherein a diversity of opinions and ideas may be peacefully expressed and shared. To that end, we respect the interests of our neighbors and community members in engaging in open, civil dialogue, which may include participation in peaceful and orderly demonstrations or protests. At the same time, the highest priority of the University is to ensure that students have access to an educational environment that is both safe and free from distractions that may impede the learning process.

In order to promote safety and prevent disruption of the learning process on our campus, the University has developed these demonstration and protest guidelines, which outline the procedures that must be followed by individuals seeking permission to organize or participate in an event meeting the definition of a “demonstration or protest” on property owned by the University. These procedures seek to ensure that all requests for permission to conduct demonstrations or protests on the campus of the University are in compliance with applicable laws, university policies, and community standards. Further, any proposed demonstration or protest must be organized in such a manner that the event would not reasonably be expected to interfere with the pursuit by members of the University community in their educational or employment-related endeavors. The following guidelines apply to any party or parties seeking permission from the University to conduct a demonstration or protest:

  1. Defining Demonstrations and Protests - For purposes of these guidelines, a “demonstration or protest” is any public display, not planned or sponsored by the University, in support of, or in opposition to, any person, group, organization, cause, institution, idea, or policy. Partisan demonstrations or protests sponsored by the public and focused upon a single candidate for office or a political party will not typically be approved by the University.
  2. Assurances by Sponsors - Individuals or groups that seek permission to plan or engage in demonstrations or protests on the University’s campus must, as a condition of campus use, assure that there will be no disruption or obstruction of the educational process, access to educational opportunities or facilities, or infringement upon the rights of other members of the university community. All demonstrations or protests approved by the University must be confined to the areas specifically designated by campus security.
  3. Space Reservation – Any party seeking permission to conduct a demonstration or protest on the campus of the University must prepare and submit the application form available in the Office of the Dean of Students. All applications must include acceptable proof of the identity of the applicant, as well as satisfactory proof of insurance that will protect the interests of the University in the amount designated by the University. Any such application must be submitted to the Dean of Students with all required accompanying verifications no less than seven (7) calendar days before the planned demonstration or protest. The use of any University property overnight is prohibited unless prior authorization has been obtained in accordance with this policy.
  4. Event Costs – All costs associated with any planned demonstration or protest, including: set up fees, custodial expenses, equipment use, security costs, or appropriate other fees, shall be paid by the applicant(s) in accordance with the requirements of the University.
  5. Compliance with Laws - Demonstrations or protests must be compliant with all applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, these guidelines, and any other applicable university policies, regulations, and/or guidelines. All demonstrations or protests must comport with reasonable community standards.

Additional mandatory requirements related to the safe conduct of a demonstration or protest on the campus of the University, which must be accepted by the applicant seeking permission, include:

  1. Regulation of Time and Place - The University maintains the right to regulate and monitor, without regard to content or viewpoint, the time, place, and manner of any proposed on-campus demonstrations or protests, as may be necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of community members and the orderly conduct of classes and other functions of the University.
  2. No Interference with Others - No demonstration or protest shall materially impede or obstruct pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic. No demonstration shall block or otherwise interfere with any university community member’s ability to enter or exit any university property (buildings/patios/plaza/gathering spaces, etc.).
  3. No Threatening Behavior - Demonstrators shall not engage in any behavior or activity that causes or threatens to cause physical injury to another person.
  4. No Destruction of Property - No demonstration or protest shall cause damage to or the destruction of any University property. Should any property be damaged during a demonstration or protest, the University may seek commensurate damages from the event sponsor(s) or organizer(s).
  5. No Open Flames – The use of torches, oil lamps, tiki lamps, or similar open flame devices or potential fire hazards is prohibited during any demonstration or protest. The use of candles and luminaries during religious or ceremonial events may be allowed with advance approval from the University.
  6. Use of Sound Amplifiers – The use of sound/voice amplifiers is prohibited inside university-owned or controlled facilities, absent specific permission from the University. The use of sound/voice amplifiers is also prohibited outside of buildings on the grounds of the campus, if such devices disrupt activity related to the University’s educational process or infringe upon the well-being of university neighbors.
  7. Use of Literature – The distribution of literature during a demonstration or protest may be allowed, so long as the contents comport with university and community standards. No literature or bills may be posted on or within facilities owned by the University without advance permission from the University.
  8. Removal - University officials or law enforcement agents may remove or request the removal of any participant in a demonstration or protest believed to be in violation of federal, state, municipal laws and ordinances, or any university policy, regulation, or guideline, or any individual who poses a threat to any member of the university community.

The University may reschedule, relocate, reject, or cancel any event, including demonstrations or protests, that it anticipates will substantially disrupt or interfere with university operations. Such disruptions may include: building closures, course cancelations, interruption of classroom and/or research activities, interference in business operations, or any similar disruption. The University also may reschedule, relocate, reject or cancel any event, including demonstrations or protests, if it is deemed necessary to do so due to safety, health, and/or security concerns.

While the University is pleased to welcome members of the community to its campus, it is a private, non-profit corporation, and its campus is private property. Nothing in this policy should be construed to restrict or limit the rights of the University to fully protect its campus, students, and community from malicious or undesirable activity.