Freedom of Expression and Assembly

Purpose

The State University of New York (SUNY) respects and fully supports the rights of free speech guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York. SUNY values the free expression of ideas and supports individuals’ right to assemble.

Purchase College promulgates this policy to provide meaningful opportunities for members of our community to express their views and to ensure that the time, place, and manner of such expression does not interfere with the safety and security of our campus community or disrupt the regular operations of the campus.


Scope

This content-neutral policy is applicable to all Purchase College students. Purchase College’s Use of Campus Facilities by Third Parties for Free Speech policy applies to all third parties, who are not sponsored by SUNY or its Campuses and/or a recognized student group, who want to use the Purchase College designated public forum for free speech purposes.


Policy

SUNY Campus students are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry and expression. Subject to applicable content-neutral policy, students are guaranteed the right to hold public meetings and engage in peaceful and orderly assemblies—including, but not limited to, protests, demonstrations, rallies, vigils, marches, and picketing—in and upon designated public areas of campus grounds and buildings.

SUNY Campus designates the following as public areas for the purpose of peaceful and orderly assemblies: The Great Lawn and the outside areas of the main mall. 

    1. Indoor assemblies in any campus building require prior approval from the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee, Facilities, and University Police. (email student.affairs@purchase.edu for prior approval).
    2. Assemblies in any residential area, including the outdoor common areas, require prior approval from the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee, Facilities, and University Police. (email student.affairs@purchase.edu for prior approval).

Purchase College will not interfere with orderly assemblies in designated public areas of grounds and buildings unless participants engage in any of the following:

    1. Conduct that prevents the orderly administration of college classes, lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, Admissions events/Admissions tours,and other campus events or University operations or the functioning of the physical plant;
    2. Conduct that obstructs the free movement of vehicles or of persons, including, but not limited to in any building or facility, inclusive of blocking hallways and doors;
    3. Engage in conduct that could foreseeably cause injury or damage to persons or property;
    4. Use of Amplification of any type is prohibited without prior approval. See Use of Amplification
    5. Constructing or erecting structures, whether or not they are anchored, inclusive of screens and/or objects requiring penetration in concrete or grass, or camp on College grounds without authorization from the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee, Facilities, and University Police, and indoor and outdoor encampment is prohibited (see Student Code of Conduct Section F.11));
    6. Possession and/or ignition of an open flame of any type, including, but not limited to, torches;
    7. Assemblies lasting more than one day, duration not to exceed 12 hours in a one-day period, and assemblies between the hours of 10:00PM and 8:00AM are prohibited;
    8. All individuals participating in protests and demonstrations are required to provide a form of College issued or government issued identification upon request from a University official;
    9. Activities that violate the provisions of SUNY Policy 3653, Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order; and
    10. Activities that violate the provisions of any other applicable campus policy, including but not limited to: Posting Material on Campus, Major Student Events policy, Use of Amplification, and Student Code of Conduct.

In addition, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

    1. Entry into any private office of an administrative officer, member of faculty, or staff member, or entry into any other college area that is not authorized, without permission;
    2. Occupation of any campus building after it is normally closed.
    3. Obstruction of any roadways running through or adjoining the College’s campus grounds.

Purchase College takes compliance with this policy very seriously. Students should expect that violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action under the College’s Student Code of Conduct, up to and including interim suspension, suspension, and expulsion.


Procedures

Purchase College respects and supports students’ efforts to exercise their rights to free speech and assembly. Students who require assistance or support for a successful implementation of an assembly should contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Following college procedure will ensure a safe and effective assembly activity. The college will make every effort to respond affirmatively to all requests to engage in assembly activity. However, content-neutral consideration must be given to the time, place, and manner of the assembly activity to ensure the health and safety of the participants and the noninterference with authorized College business, activities, or events. Students should anticipate an assembly with more that 150 students should follow the process outlined in the Major Student Events policy.

No Services Required: Assemblies requiring no Services, or for which the need for Services is not reasonably foreseeable or necessary as described above, may take place without any prior notification by the sponsors and/or organizers. However, conformity with the specific campus rules noted above is required. Organizers who are unsure of whether their planned assembly requires Services are encouraged to contact Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for guidance. Event organizers who do not request necessary services that were reasonably foreseeable as being needed may be subject to discipline.