Guilford College supports students’ rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and the right of petition within the parameters of this policy.
Purpose/Reason for Policy: To outline the conditions under which students may express their rights of free expression within a community of scholars and citizens who choose to respect one another’s perspective, autonomy, and safety.
Scope/Covered Persons: All members of the Guilford College Community
Guilford is a liberal arts College that provides tomorrow's leaders with the innovative problem-solving skills, experiences, and global perspectives to actively create change in the world. We are guided by our Quaker heritage, instilling in all of us: community, equality, integrity, peace and simplicity.
Guilford has a long, rich, and inviolate commitment to the rights to dissent and protest. Like all rights, they are expected to be exercised responsibly.
Guidelines for Planning a Peaceful Assembly
The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for Guilford College students or student organizations to organize peaceful assemblies on campus. Those who are interested in planning a peaceful assembly on campus must submit a notification by completing this Google Form (https://forms.gle/Q4uYjn8JzRzdbt8r7) with the Department of Public Safety. The Director of Public Safety will review the notification and begin the implementation process by utilizing the criteria as outlined in this policy.
The event must be presented in writing and all aspects of the activity must be detailed. If the assembly will utilize a campus facility, the organizer must complete a facility request and obtain the necessary approvals by visiting Guilford College Facilities website. Considering that there may be times when a student or student organization plans an activity that quickly responds to a current event, students or student organizations must adhere to this policy. The Department of Public Safety will make reasonable efforts to accelerate its review; however, such accelerated reviews will occur on a case-by-case basis in a manner that is consistent with this policy.
Out of concern for the general health, safety, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests, organizers should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at studentaffairs@guilford.edu to assist with planning for the safety of those engaged in peaceful assembly and those who choose not to participate. The Dean of Students can also assist with identifying spaces for individuals and groups interested in engaging in peaceful assembly. Public Safety is required to ensure that the rights of all concerned are protected. Notification helps to ensure the safety of all participants and community members. You may contact the Office of the Dean of Students for further assistance.
Whenever appropriate, the Department of Public Safety, with assistance of the Director of Student Leadership and Engagement and in consultation with the Office of Marketing, will designate clearly marked areas for protest or demonstrations.
Examples of peaceful assembly include (please note that this is not an exhaustive list):
- Demonstration: A large group of people, usually gathering for a political or social cause. It usually includes a group march, ending with a rally or a speaker. A demonstration is similar to a protest in that they both can use the same or similar methods to achieve goals. However, demonstrations tend to be more abrasive and spontaneous, whereas protests tend to be more organized.
- March: A walk by a group of people to a place in order to express an objection with any event, situation, or policy.
- Picket Line: A line or group of people who are refusing to go to work until their employer agrees to certain demands.
- Protest: A protest is a way to express objections with any event, situation, or policy. These objections can be manifested either by actions or by words.
- Sit-In: any organized protest in which a group of people peacefully occupy and refuse to leave college premises.
- Vigil: In observance of commemorative activity or event meant to demonstrate unity around a particular issue or concern, and/or to promote peace and prevent violence.
Procedure for Planning a Peaceful Assembly
Prior to sponsoring a peaceful assembly, a group or organization must submit in writing a notification at least 48 hours in advance of any activity to the Department of Public Safety. Notifications may be submitted to the Department of Public Safety online at this link. The Department of Public Safety may require further notice based on the scale of the event.
Considering that there may be times when a student or student organization plans an activity that quickly responds to a current event, students or student organizations must adhere to this policy. The Department of Public Safety will make reasonable efforts to accelerate its review; however, such accelerated reviews will occur on a case-by-case basis in a manner that is consistent with this policy.
The notification form should include the location on campus where the event will be held, proposed date and time of the event, the purpose of the event and estimated number of participants. Based on the scope of the assembly, other security requirements may be required by the Department of Public Safety after reviewing the notification. If the proposed event is a march, the supporting group will be required to attach a route the participants plan to take on campus.
The Director of Public Safety or designee will review the notification within one working day of its submission and meet with the individual(s) prior to the peaceful assembly. The meeting will cover logistics including safety and security issues, use of amplified sound, and the potential for disruption to the College. Upon notification of a proposed activity, the Department of Public Safety will inform the V.P. for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. The V.P. for Student Affairs will communicate approved activities in writing (with a clear description of the event) to the Office of the President, Provost, the President’s Cabinet and the Office of Marketing.
Sponsoring organizations and their representatives are responsible for ensuring that there will be no disruption of College activities, business or events, programs or services. This includes, but is not limited to:
- The free passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around campus at all points.
- No persons or group shall block the entrances or exits to any building.
- Use of amplified sound which will not disrupt College business.
- Activities that might disrupt the campus environment will not be allowed or encouraged.
- Respect for and adherence to all policies and procedures regulating on-campus events.
- In the event the demonstration or march moves outside of the confines of campus, the supporting organizations will be responsible for obtaining all permits and notifying the City of Greensboro.
- Any official statement or request from the media will be handled by the Office of Marketing.
Compliance with School Officials
Everyone is expected to comply with the directions of College officials who are acting in accordance with the performance of their duties. Failure to do so is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and is subject to sanctions as outlined in the Student Handbook. If a demonstration or activity interferes with normal College activities and/or functions, participants will be asked to disperse. Failure to comply will result in the appropriate sanctions. Other activities prohibited included but not limited to:
- Excessive noise, which interferes with classes, College offices, residence halls, community neighbors, or other campus and community activities is prohibited.
- Unauthorized entry into or occupation of a private work area;
- Conduct that restricts or prevents faculty or staff members or student employees from performing their duties, including interruption of meetings, classes, or events;
- Failure to maintain clear passage into or out of any College building or passageway, and/or work space;
- Failure to disperse when a building, office, or campus space is closed;
- Other conduct that disrupts the normal operations of the College;
- Vandalism including graffiti or destruction of College property.
An event held without adhering to this Peaceful Assembly Policy could result in appropriate sanctions as outlined by the Student Code of Conduct.
Approval Authority: The Guilford College President
Responsible Office: Dean of Students
Revision History: Student Handbook 2022