Demonstration Guidelines

Students, faculty, and staff are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are always free to support causes by orderly means, i.e., those that do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the institution. At the same time, it is required that, when making public statements or engaging in public demonstrations or expressions, they disassociate their statements and activities from the institution unless otherwise authorized by the institution.

If consideration is being given to a protest, organizers must discuss their plans in advance with the director of campus police or his designee. For purposes of this policy, a protest is defined as a gathering of students, faculty, and/or staff of Moravian University and/or Moravian Theological Seminary on institutional property in order to make a public statement about and therefore draw attention to a college, local, state, or federal issue.

The institution supports the rights of its students, faculty, and staff to assemble and express their views. However, any protest or demonstration must respect established legal parameters. Accordingly, a protest may not block streets, right of way, or sidewalks; jeopardize the safety of individuals or the integrity of institutional or other property; intimidate, harass, or threaten passers-by; include individuals who are not members of the institutional community; involve entry of buildings where their presence would disrupt the administrative, educational, or residential functions taking place therein; involve alcohol; or involve sound amplification. The location for campus protests will be determined on a case-by-case basis by Campus Police after consultation with protest organizers. In establishing a site, decision-makers will balance concern for the safety of all involved with an acknowledgement that the proximity, and therefore visibility, of a protest to any protest-related activities may influence the effectiveness of the event.

Students and their recognized organizations are permitted to invite and hear speakers or presentations of their choosing, provided they comply with policies, regulations, and procedures established by the institution concerning the use of institutional facilities and equipment and the time, place, and manner of the activity. The institution shall not regulate the content of the speech or presentation so long as it does not violate any laws or the rights of any person and complies with the institution's Community Standards.