Requirements for Demonstrations and Associated Activities
Fairleigh Dickinson University deeply values freedom of expression for its students and other community members. This can take the form of peaceful protest in the University’s public areas. At the same time, the University retains the right and recognizes its obligation to take appropriate measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our community, safeguard property, and ensure that protests do not interfere with the rights of our faculty, students, and staff, including their rights to have full access to FDU’s facilities, classes, and activities.
Consistent with these values and with the University’s Code of Student Conduct and Community Standards:
- Location. Orderly picketing and other forms of peaceful protest are permitted on University premises and in public areas of University buildings provided they do not interfere with ingress and egress, disrupt classes or the operation of offices, or damage property. The University may from time to time designate specific areas of the campus where protest activities will be permitted, and confine protests to those areas, to assure that the rights of other members of the community are not infringed. No physical barricades or temporary fencing and other types of structures are permitted.
- Compliance with Law. Individuals participating in or responding to protests must at all times comply with University policies and applicable law, including refraining from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, or abuse. In addition, all individuals are required to abide by directions from FDU’s Public Safety officers and University officials acting in the performance of their duties. This may include directions to disperse if a demonstration does not comply with these Requirements.
- Time and Sound Limitations. Demonstrations on campus will be allowed only from 8 AM to 6 PM each day. The University will not permit protestors or counter-protestors to use sound amplification devices, such as bullhorns.
- Advance Notice. To enable the University to make appropriate accommodations, students who wish to hold public demonstrations or other speech forums at FDU are required to submit a Student Protest and Demonstration Registration Form at least 2 business days in advance of the scheduled event. For those extraordinary circumstances where 2-business days advanced planning is impossible, students who wish to hold earlier demonstrations must confer in advance with a University official identified in the Registration Form so that the University can take steps to safeguard the health, well-being and property of the community and allow for the continuation of University operations.
- Signage. Protestors who wish to carry signage during demonstrations must ensure that such signage is constructed out of materials that will not pose a danger to others (i.e., signs should be made of paper or light cardboard, and they must not be backed by a wood / metal / other hard post).
The University retains the right to restrict access to University property and activities, including demonstration sites, to students, faculty, and staff (excluding members of the general community).
Events sponsored or hosted by the University – including teach-ins, conferences, and other programs – may not be disrupted by attendees of those events. Demonstrators may not interfere with the ability of participants to enter or exit the event. Demonstrators may congregate and peacefully picket outside the event within a designated area established by FDU’s Office of Public Safety in accordance with the other provisions of these Requirements.
Students who violate these Requirements are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and dismissal. Students who are violating these Requirements may be directed by Public Safety officers or University officials to show their identification cards; those students who refuse may be photographed. The University retains the right to take other appropriate actions as it determines are necessary to safeguard the University community and property.
Importantly, we emphasize that engaging in and being exposed to free and civil discourse – even including viewpoints that may be offensive, challenging, or disturbing – are fundamental components of the higher education experience. At the same time, while we encourage our community to engage in a free exchange of ideas and advocacy for their positions, including through peaceful protest, we expect that all members of the community will conduct themselves in a respectful manner in which they welcome the chance not only to express themselves, but to be open to and hear the views and perspectives of those with different life experiences and beliefs.