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Policy Title: Demonstration and Building-Takeover Policy
Effective date:9/1/1999
Pertains to: All students, faculty and staff
Policy Index: www.stthomas.edu/policies

Demonstration and Building-Takeover Policy

In years past, violence and disruption occurred on a number of university campuses. While those days seem to be over, the Demonstration and Building-Takeover Policy is reproduced here so that, should a recurrence of those times take place, students at St. Thomas will be aware of the possible consequences of their actions. It is sincerely hoped that this policy will never need to be used. In the case of violent, disruptive or obstructive demonstrations or counter-demonstrations or office or building takeovers by students or non-students, the university, in the person of the president, a vice president, Dean of Students, associate Dean of Students, or director of residence life, shall order violators to leave and break up the demonstration. If they do not do so within a brief time, the university may choose either or both of the following:

1. To obtain a court injunction against them to suspend their activities. Thereafter, violators will be dealt with in a court of law.
    
2.  To ask the participants for their identification cards.
    
   1. Those who produce identification cards will be immediately suspended from the university pending a Committee on Discipline hearing.
       
   2. Those who do not surrender their identification cards will be assumed to be non-students, and they, as all other non-students, will be charged with trespassing on private property and disturbing the peace.

After notification of suspension or trespass, participants have five minutes to start a movement to cease and desist. Failure to do so will result in expulsion for students involved, and they and other non-students will be dealt with by the law.

Addendum

The University of St. Thomas recognizes that free inquiry and free expression are indispensable elements for the achievement of the goals of an academic community. While students have the right to freedom of expression, including the right to dissent or protest, this expression cannot interfere with the rights of others or disrupt the processes of the university. The following conduct will not be permitted:

1. Disruption of classes, laboratories, offices, services, meetings or ceremonies;
    
2. Obstruction of free movement of people or vehicles; peaceful picketing is permitted only as long as it takes place outside of buildings and does not interfere with the flow of traffic to and from buildings;
    
3. Conduct which threatens harm, incites violence or endangers the health and safety of any person;
    
4. Threats of disruption, including bomb threats;
    
5. Damaging, defacing or abusing university facilities, equipment or property; or
    
6. Inciting others to engage in prohibited conduct.

Any such incidents that may occur and any such problems that may develop will be considered a disciplinary matter and will be dealt with accordingly. The following will be the university's procedure.

Student groups and organizations planning to hold a demonstration will file 24-hours in advance a Notice of Intent with the Dean of Students. The Notice of Intent will include such matters as a general plan for the demonstration, a spokesperson for the group, and the location of the demonstration. Failure to file a Notice of Intent will result in disciplinary action and will be dealt with accordingly.

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