Civil Disturbance or Demonstrations

Most campus
demonstrations, such as marches, meetings, picketing and rallies will be
peaceful and non-obstructive. A student demonstration should not be disrupted
unless one or more of the following conditions exist as a result of the
demonstration:
-
INTERFERENCE with the normal
operations of the college
- PREVENTION OF ACCESS to
offices, buildings or other campus facilities.
- THREAT of physical harm to
persons or damage to campus facilities
If any of these conditions exist, Campus
Safety should be notifed and will take responsibility for contacting the
Administration. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate
procedures listed below should be followed:
Generally,
demonstrations of this type should not be interrupted, obstructed or provoked.
Efforts should be made to conduct business as normally as possible.
If demonstrators are
asked to leave, but refuse to leave by normal facility closing time,
arrangements will be made by Administration to monitor the situation after
hours, or a determination will be made to treat a refusal to leave as a
disruptive demonstration.
NON-VIOLENT, DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
In the event that a
demonstration blocks access to college facilities and/or interferes with the
operation of the college:
Demonstrators will be
asked to terminate the disruptive activity by Campus Safety or College
administrative officials.
The Public Information
Office may be asked by the Administration to have a photographer available.
Key personnel and
student leaders may be asked by the Administration to go to the area in question
and attempt to persuade the demonstrations to desist.
If the demonstrators
persist in the disruptive activity, they will be apprised that failure to
discontinue the specified action within a determined length of time may result
in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion or possible
intervention by civil authorities (see Directive A below). Except in extreme
emergencies, the Superintendent-President or his/her designee will be consulted
before such disciplinary actions are taken.
Efforts should be made
to secure positive identification of demonstrators, including photography or
videotape, to facilitate later testimony.
After consultation with
the Superintendent-President or his/her designee, campus authorities will
determine the need for an injunction and/or intervention of civil authorities.
If the determination is
made to seek intervention of civil authorities, the demonstrators should be so
informed. Upon arrival of the Sheriff’s deputies, read Directive B, below.
DIRECTIVE A: TO IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE DEMONSTRATION
Identify yourself and
read the following: “This assembly and the conduct of each participant are
seriously disrupting the operations of the College and are in clear violation of
the rules of the College. You have been given the opportunity to discuss your
grievances with the appropriate authorities. In no event will the
Administration of this College accede to demands backed by force. Accordingly,
you are directed to terminate this demonstration. If you have not done so
within 15 minutes, I will, under the authority of the Board of Trustees, take
whatever measures are necessary to restore order—including calling for law
enforcement assistance. Any student who continues to participate in this
demonstration is subject to suspension. Any student or other person who
continues to participate in this demonstration is subject to possible arrest.”
DIRECTIVE B: TO IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE DEMONSTRATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Identify yourself and
read the following: “You have been previously directed to terminate this
demonstration and you have been put on notice as to the consequences of your
failure to do so. Since you have chosen to remain in violation of the rules and
regulations of the College, each of you is hereby suspended, subject to later
review. Sheriff’s deputies will now be called in to assist in dispersing this
assembly. Those who fail to leave immediately will be subject to arrest.”