Rallies, Demonstrations, and Public Assemblies

These policies and procedures apply to Webster University students enrolled at extended campuses in the United States.

Updated: 12/01/02

The freedom to assemble and exchange views is essential to the life of the University. In order to provide an atmosphere in which open communication can occur without disrupting the academic mission or daily functions of the University, this policy is in place to govern campus rallies, demonstrations (individual or group), and public assemblies. Public activities are subject to reasonable restrictions of time, place, and manner, as described herein, with such restrictions being applied without discrimination toward the speaker or the content of the view being expressed.

Members of the University community wishing to hold or sponsor a rally, demonstration, or public assembly must provide the Campus Director's Office with 24-hour (if possible) advanced notification of the desired date, time, location, and expected attendance of the activity, as well as the type of activity planned.

Parameters for Time, Place, and Manner

The rights of assembly, free speech, and expression do not include unlawful activity or activity that endangers the safety of the campus community or the threat of damage to University facilities and/or property. In addition, these rights do not permit the disruption of the normal operations of the University. To clarify expected behaviors for campus rallies, demonstrations, and public assemblies, the following parameters must be met:

• The public activity must be lawful, and may not violate or conflict with University policies or local, state, or federal laws.
• The public activity may not unduly disrupt the educational purposes of the University.
• The public activity may not unduly disrupt traffic, either pedestrian or vehicular.
• The public activity may not jeopardize public or individual safety.
• The public activity may not prevent, unduly obstruct, or interfere with the regular academic and institutional activities, or other approved activities of the University.
• The public activity may not include expression that is obscene, defamatory, or consists of fighting words, threats of physical harm, or inciteful of imminent lawless action, to the extent not entitled to protection as expression.