POLICY STATEMENT
Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) upholds the freedoms of speech and expression guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution for all members of the College community. The College is a place where all ideas and opinions may be expressed freely. The right to free speech and expression does not include unlawful activity that endangers the safety or well-being of any member of the College community. Further, it does not include any activity that interferes with the education of other students or the mission of the institution.
The College has the right, under appropriate circumstances, to regulate the time, place, and manner of exercising these and other constitutionally protected rights.
Providing forums for expressive activity is important because members of the College community have a right to hear, see, and experience diverse intellectual and creative inquiry. Defending that right is a fundamental obligation of the College. Controversy cannot be permitted to abridge the freedoms of speech, thought, expression or assembly.
NO ENDORSEMENT
Although expressive activity is allowed, it is not endorsed by the Local Board or the College unless specifically approved as a College-sanctioned activity. No individual or group may claim approval or endorsement by the College except with prior written approval by the President or designee.
FORUMS FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY
To facilitate the free exchange of ideas, the College has established space on the College’s premises that may be used by any person, including external groups and other campus guests, for expressive activities. Such activities are inclusive of literature distribution. This use may be without permission or approval from the College so long as the area has not been previously reserved or scheduled for a particular function; no sound amplification is used; and the participants do not violate other College policies. Although it is not necessary for a person using one of the designated outdoor spaces to obtain prior permission from the College, SVCC encourages such persons to contact the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success for scheduling purposes to minimize possible conflicts.
OUTDOOR LOCATIONS
The College has set aside outdoor areas for forums, rallies, demonstrations, and other similar
activities. Organizations or individuals who reserve these areas have priority. The outdoor areas
currently designated for expressive activity are:
John H. Daniel Campus (Keysville): Patio area on the backside of the Student Services Center
Christanna Campus (Alberta): Courtyard between A and B buildings
ADDITIONAL SPACES FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY
Members of the College community and external guests may also utilize other spaces on College
premises for expressive activities on a first-come-first-serve basis such as: courtyards, walkways,
grassy areas, and all other areas of the College’s premises (including without limitation hallways,
lobbies, offices, classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, and auditoriums). Participants must not violate
College policies or use sound amplification for expressive activities. SVCC encourages the College
community and external guests to contact The Office of the Vice President for Enrollment
Management and Student Success for scheduling purposes to minimize opportunities for disruption
to the College’s educational and administrative functions.
POLICY EXPECTATIONS
At SVCC, anyone may distribute printed material, offer petitions for signature, make speeches, and hold protests or demonstrations on college premises. To ensure the safety of all members of the College community, and the functional integrity of the institution’s educational mission, the following points are emphasized as policy expectations:
- All such activities must be peaceful, avoiding acts or credible threats of violence and preserving the normal operation of the College.
- No event shall infringe upon the rights or privileges of anyone who disagrees with the content of expression conveyed.
- No one will be permitted to harm others, damage or deface property, block access to College buildings, or disrupt classes.
- The enforcement of these conditions will not depend in any way on the message or sponsorship of the act or event.
- Members of the College community who engage in expressive activity shall continue to be fully responsible for their educational or occupational obligations.
If an expressive activity does not satisfy these policy expectations, disrupts College operations or creates a safety hazard, College officials will require the activity to be relocated or rescheduled. Students, employees, and or community visitors who do not abide by the established policy expectations may be subject to discipline by the College and/or law enforcement.
SPACE RESERVATION PROCEDURES
The President or designee shall implement space reservation procedures that comply with this Policy.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR EVALUATING SPACE REQUESTS
SVCC will consider the anticipated size, required accommodations, noise levels, traffic, time, relationship to nearby areas, security needs, and the evaluation of other relevant scenarios to determine (a) whether a suitable location exists and (b) whether health and safety concerns require special precautions or arrangements.
DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Policy, (1) “expressive activity” means public speech protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which includes, by way of example and not limitation, attempts to address all or portions of the College community with the intention of expressing social, political, religious, artistic, or other views; to disseminate written materials; or to request, accept, collect donations or contributions for a non-profit purpose and (2) “College premises” means property owned, leased, managed, or otherwise controlled by the College including without limitation green space, courtyards, walkways, buildings, and vehicles.