Campus Demonstrations

Iowa State University is a free speech campus and encourages students, employees and visitors to engage in respectful dialogue. The campus community is free to exercise its First Amendment rights by sharing ideas, gathering and organizing demonstrations on campus. University policy includes restrictions for time, place and manner of campus demonstrations that are consistent with First Amendment principles.

What you need to know

Iowa State University’s Principles of Community encourage honest and respectful expression of ideas. However, there are consequences when university policies and state and federal laws are violated. Students, employees and visitors may face disciplinary action for:

Destruction of campus property and/or individual property
Violence and direct threats of violence
Encampments on campus grounds or inside campus buildings
Disrupting university operations, including conduct that interferes with the activities of other persons or impedes campus operations
Violation of campus policies outlined above as well as those detailed in the Student Code of Conduct and the university policy library.

An important part of protecting free speech is not interfering with the free speech rights of others. That includes the rights of a speaker on campus. You may protest speakers, but you may not prevent a speaker from expressing their views or prevent other members of the community from hearing or seeing the speaker.

If you have questions, contact the Demonstration Safety Team at demonstration@iastate.edu. If you expect more than 50 people to attend, you are encouraged to register the event with Risk Management.

Location

You may use any outdoor area of campus as long as you comply with the following:
Do not block access to sidewalks, buildings or facilities.
Demonstrations held prior to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday cannot be within 100 feet of classroom buildings.
Demonstrations are not allowed near the entrances to Thielen Student Health Center, Student Services Building, ISU Athletics facilities and outdoor areas, and the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.
Demonstrations are not permitted in private offices, private residences and classrooms, as well as seminar rooms, auditoriums or meeting rooms in which classes or private meetings are being held.

Time

Outdoor events are allowed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Signs and sound

Signs or banners must be carried and cannot be left unattended. No amplified sound is allowed other than hand-held megaphones.

Lighting

Light projections may not be displayed on any university building or structure.

Structures and barriers

No structures, barriers or other unattended objects may be erected or placed on university property.

Camping/overnight demonstrations

Encampments and overnight demonstrations of any kind are not allowed.

Flames

Open flames and open flame devices are not permitted.

Groups may use sidewalk chalk (no paints or spray chalks) to promote events and programs, exchange opinions and share ideas on flat sidewalks. Chalking is not allowed on any vertical surface, benches, buildings, roads, etc., as well as specific campus locations such as the Memorial Union plaza and historical quad around central campus.

Information about an event or demonstration may be posted on “general” public bulletin boards on campus. Signage must include the date of the event and may be posted one month in advance. Posters and signage are not allowed on department bulletin boards and academic, administrative and service buildings.

Review all details in the policy library

Demonstration Safety Team

Iowa State students and employees are encouraged to work with the Demonstration Safety Team when planning free speech activities. The Demonstration Safety Team is a group of faculty and staff who volunteer to assist with campus demonstrations and serve as a resource for students/student organizations and community members to help plan a safe event.

The role of this team is to ensure demonstrators are able to exercise their constitutional rights freely, safely, and productively while adhering to university policy. Demonstration Safety Team members are trained on First Amendment rights, de-escalation techniques, and ISU policies and regulations.

Members are present during most demonstrations held on campus grounds. Team Captains serve as resources to students and community members and help guide and make recommendations as demonstrations are being planned. If you are looking to plan a demonstration on campus, please email the team and a Captain will be happy to assist.