Expressive Activities on Campus by Students and Employees
Blinn College Administrative Regulations Manual
Subject: Expressive Activities on Campus by Students and Employees
Effective Date: July 31, 2015; amended April 19, 2016, and June 22, 2022
Board Policy Reference: DGC, FLA, and GD
Purpose
These procedures shall be interpreted in accordance with the free speech and assembly rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution and in accordance with generally accepted concepts of academic freedom as followed nationally and at Blinn College. The purpose of these procedures is to protect and enhance the free exchange of ideas in the College and on the College District campus. The college’s primary function is to discover and disseminate knowledge by research and teaching, requiring a free interchange of ideas.
The college must ensure the fullest degree of intellectual freedom and protect the opportunity for all members and their guests to communicate and exercise intellectual freedom. This includes protection from censorship and disruption. Responsibility rests with all members to refrain from disruptive conduct; sanctions may apply for violations.
The college’s facilities and grounds primarily support its educational mission and programs. The college may impose reasonable, viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on expressive activities that allow for ample alternative means of communication. Members engaging in expressive activities are expected to respect the safety of people and property and allow dissent.
These procedures apply to individuals and groups affiliated with the college (students, faculty, staff). Separate rules govern activities by non-affiliates (e.g., alumni, visitors, vendors, businesses). These procedures do not apply to official functions or college-sponsored activities, including instruction and classroom activities. Decisions by college officials are based on procedure and policy guidelines, not on individuals’ viewpoints.
Designated college representatives may stop conduct that materially disrupts academic, administrative, or business activities. Those engaging in disruptive activities may face removal and appropriate sanctions.
General Prohibitions
Students, faculty, and staff shall not:
- Materially interfere with free entry to or exit from buildings or facilities;
- Materially interfere with flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
- Deny use of offices or facilities to others;
- Threaten or endanger anyone’s physical safety on college premises;
- Force material on unwilling recipients;
- Engage in conduct likely to cause property damage or utility disruption;
- Create noise disturbances that impede speakers or listeners;
- Attempt to prevent a college event or assembly by threat or force.
Expressive activities, including posters or literature, shall not:
- Be obscene;
- Be defamatory or libelous;
- Constitute “fighting words”;
- Incite imminent lawless action;
- Promote commercial products or services (commercial solicitation);
- Violate copyright or trademark law;
- Constitute unlawful harassment as defined by law;
- Promote underage drinking or unlawful substance use.
If an activity becomes disruptive, the college may take steps to stop or minimize disruption without regard to viewpoint.
I. Definitions
- Amplified sound
- Use of any device that amplifies sound, including loudspeakers and bullhorns. Does not include shouting, chanting, or acoustic instruments.
- College
- Blinn College District and any of its campuses, buildings, and grounds.
- College department
- Any academic or nonacademic unit or official college entity.
- College grounds or premises
- Any college-owned or leased property, including parking lots, lawns, and sidewalks.
- Commercial activity
- Selling or soliciting objects or services for personal or investor gain.
- Distribution of literature
- Distributing or posting printed or recorded materials or tangible objects (excludes official or academic activities).
- Event
- Activity or gathering in a specific location/time.
- Expressive activity or conduct
- Communicating a message, viewpoint, or idea (written, oral, or visual).
- Non-profit group
- Groups operating for public/mutual benefit, not for profit.
- Non-college or off-campus person or organization
- Anyone or group not affiliated with Blinn College.
- Organized expressive activity
- Public gathering of 21+ individuals for expressive purposes (excludes official college events).
- Official College event or activity
- Events or programs sponsored by a college department/division as part of its mission.
- Outdoor common areas of the College District
- Grassy areas, plazas, walkways, or similar common areas owned or controlled by the District.
- Registered student organization
- An organization officially registered with the Office of Student Life.
- Student
- Anyone enrolled in credit or non-credit classes or authorized to audit a course.
Gatherings in Outdoor Locations
- Except as otherwise provided, currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff may engage in expressive activity, distribute literature, gather signatures, or carry signs outdoors from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. No prior notice required unless gathering is expected to attract 21+ people (see Section IV.C).
- The following apply to all expressive activities:
- No amplified sound except as provided in Section V.
- Literature must be distributed hand-to-hand (not from a table) unless following procedures in Section VII.
- Literature must not be forced upon unwilling recipients.
- No hand-held signs used to block passage or views.
- No obstruction of pedestrian/vehicular traffic; pedestrians must have safe passage.
- Marches must not interfere with traffic; safe passage for others required.
- No obstruction of entrances/exits; must stand at least 15 feet from building exits/entrances of certain facilities.
- No placement of literature on vehicles without owner’s permission.
- Remove leftover/discarded materials after distribution.
- No sounds replicating gunfire, explosions, or sirens.
- No glitter, confetti, fireworks, fire, or camping.
- No substantial noise disruptions to classes or operations.
- Student organization literature may require a disclaimer of non-college sponsorship.
- No organized expressive activities during final exams.
- Emergencies may affect space availability.
- For activities involving 21+ people:
- 21 to 50 people: No prior approval needed in designated free speech areas (see Appendix A/B), but consultation encouraged.
- More than 50 people: Must give at least 24 hours' notice and use designated free speech areas. Notice to be given to the assistant director of student clubs and activities, director of student leadership & activities, or Blinn police (by email or in person).
- Exception: For spontaneous response to breaking news, two hours’ notice permitted; specific locations designated on Bryan and Brenham campuses.
- Reservations: Registered organizations may reserve spaces in advance, per Section VII (others must yield to those with reservations).
- Students, faculty, and staff (including organizations) may not co-sponsor events with off-campus groups unless the group is non-profit, there is no commercial activity, and the campus group maintains primary responsibility.
Amplified Sound for Expressive Activities
Registered student and employee organizations may use portable, handheld amplified sound devices in designated areas (Appendix A/B) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with advance permission. Not allowed during final exam periods. Applications must be submitted 3 to 90 days in advance; decision within 2 business days. Requests can be denied for practical conflicts, danger, student discipline/sanctions, or unpaid fines/fees. Appeals process to Vice Chancellor, Student Services is available.
Posters and Signs
A "sign" includes any handheld or carried display; a "post" is a sign fixed in place. All signs/posts must comply with Section II prohibitions.
A. Pre-Approval Not Required
- Signs may be displayed by carrying them in authorized areas. Violations may result in a warning, confiscation, or removal.
- Posters are allowed on dorm room doors by residents if not larger than 22” x 28” or covering room numbers.
- Outdoor community bulletin boards/kiosks are available (no more than 11” x 17” per poster; two per board per group; must be dated and removed after 14 days or following event).
B. Pre-Approval Required
- Registered student and employee organizations: May request to post on indoor boards (not for general free expression; not to exceed 16” x 20”). Content limited to event promotion. Approval within three business days; must be stamped; removed after 14 days or post-event.
- Student government candidates: May post during 14 days before elections (no more than two per lawn per candidate; additional restrictions on location and attachment methods). Pre-approval of proposed post required via coordinator of student clubs and activities; appeal process available.
Reservation of Outdoor Space
- Reserved areas are identified in campus maps (Appendix A/B). No area may be reserved more than 8 hours in 24 hours if competing requests exist. Reservations not available for off-campus groups by students/employees.
- Application via forms from coordinator/director offices; first-come, first-served; submit 3-90 business days in advance for designated areas, 4+ business days for other locations. Denials may be appealed.
- Applications must provide event details, group, and contact information.
- Denials may be based on missing information, unavailable space, misrepresentation, prior violations, overcapacity, space conflicts, commercial activity, unauthorized co-sponsorship, or unpaid fines/fees.
- If denied due to space limitations, alternate locations may be offered.
- Event Relocation: Events may be moved due to facility, weather, or disruptions. Organizers will be consulted.
- Guest Speakers: Recognized organizations may present guest speakers with appropriate disclosure and adherence to Section II rules.
Reservation of Indoor Space
Indoor space is not a traditional open forum; use is primarily for instructional and college-sponsored programs, with limited reservations for registered organizations.
- Authorized Uses: Registered groups may reserve meeting rooms or tables in:
- Student Centers (Brenham & Bryan)
- Libraries (Brenham & Bryan)
- Residence hall day rooms
- Gymnasiums
- Rankin Agriculture Complex
- Space Use Restrictions: Tables must remain staffed and in place, displays must not present fire/safety hazards, no amplified sound indoors, no disruptive noise, no glitter/confetti, safe pedestrian passage required. Organizations liable for damage or disorder.
- Availability: Advance reservations may be capped to ensure access for all. Same-day requests accepted if space not reserved.
- Application Process: Submit forms (available from coordinator, director, or Vice Chancellor offices) at least 3 but no more than 90 days in advance; first-come, first-served. Application must include event and contact details. Denials for missing info, conflicts, past violations, space limitations, commercial use, or unsuitability. Appeals process is available.
- Event Relocation: Events may be moved or canceled due to facility, weather, or academic program needs. Organizers will be consulted.
Identification
Faculty, staff, and students must produce college identification or proof of affiliation upon request by an institutional representative (trustee, administrator, manager, or college officer). Identification requires providing name and address (with official documentation) and status as student/employee. Refusal may result in removal from premises.
Designated Speech and Assembly Areas
Brenham Campus
- Flagpole area of W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex
- Corner of Blinn Boulevard and Leroy Dreyer Baseball Field (behind first base dugout)
- Flagpole area in front of the Student Center
- Area between the Student Center and Arts and Sciences Building
- Area in front of W.L. Moody Jr. Library (corner of Blinn Boulevard and College Avenue)
- Area in front of Old Main Building (High Street and College Avenue)
Bryan Campus
- In front of Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Building S and toward Building T
- Grassy area out by street near the E and D student parking lots
- Area between the G, F, and H buildings
- Area between the D, C, and A buildings
- Between the A and B building near student parking lot J