Demonstration Policy

1. Counterdemonstration: A public demonstration organized to express opposition to another demonstration.
2. Demonstration: A public event that protests something or expresses views on an issue including, but not limited to social, political, and community issues. Types of demonstrations include, but are not limited to protests, marches, rallies, lobbies, sit-ins, and pickets. 
3. Onlooker: A nonparticipating observer or a spectator to the demonstration.
4. Student Representative (“SR”): The student designated to be the point of contact between the demonstration participants and University officials.

Students and student organizations are permitted to host demonstrations on the TXWES campus. Outside groups are not permitted to host demonstrations on the TXWES campus. To successfully host a demonstrations, students or student organizations must:

1. Register their planned demonstration by completing this form.
2. Meet with a member of the Dean of Students (DoS) Office, per this policy.
3. Comply with all expectations and guidelines outlined in this policy.

Demonstration participants are expected to behave in compliance with local, state, and federal law and University policies including the appropriate use of any University facility.

When planning or executing a demonstration, students and participants must ensure the following:

1. The organizers and participants of the demonstration prioritize the safety and security of all participants as well as those not directly involved. This includes those who disagree with the position(s) of those organizing the demonstration.
2. The organizers and participants of the demonstration permit the continued operation of University functions.
3. The organizer and participants of the demonstration respect University property, including hours of operation (if applicable), facility cleanliness and appearance, and structural integrity.

Participants may not:

1. Block building/facility entrances or impede traffic (foot, vehicle, etc.);
2. Engage in physical abuse, threatening behavior, or intimidation;
3. Engage in hate speech or other forms of discrimination;
4. Intentionally incite a fear reaction, threats, or violence;
5. Disrupt teaching, administration, or other University functions;
6. Possess firearms, firebombs, Tasers, mace, or any other weapon;
7. Use open flames of any kind;
8. Engage in theft, rioting, or vandalism;
9. Climb upon or rappel from University buildings, trees, or fences;
10. Camp or lodge on University property;
11. Host active demonstration overnight;
12. Litter;
13. Sleep;
14. Use amplified sound;
15. Stake signs to the ground, or;
16. Build structures (chairs, stakes, benches, tables, etc.).

Participants must comply with the instructions and directions from University officials including Campus Security and other police agencies that may be called in to assist.

Students or student organizations organizing a demonstration are required to make advanced arrangements with the Dean of Students Office at least three (3) business days prior to the start of the event.

After requesting the demonstration, the DoS or designee will engage with the student representative organizing the event and a meeting will be required in order for the demonstration to be approved. This meeting is mandatory to ensure that there is clear understanding and acknowledgment of the expectations for hosting a demonstration.

During each demonstration, the DoS or designee will be present in order to communicate with the SR, as well as the demonstrators, to help increase event effectiveness, to ensure participants’ safety, and to assist organizers to keep the demonstration from disrupting the normal functioning of the University.  For events occurring on city sidewalks and streets adjacent to the University, students should make appropriate arrangements to acquire city permits and should adhere to city ordinances and applicable state and federal law.

A demonstration on campus may invite another form of protest.  When these occasions arise, the expression of all parties is important. Counterdemonstrations are subject to the same expectations in this policy except for the expectation of advance arrangements due to the nature of counterdemonstrations. In those circumstances, the counterdemonstration organizers must appoint their own SR. The SR is responsible for communicating directly with the DoS or designee and is expected to follow this policy.  Failure to adhere to applicable expectations may lead to interim measures including, but not limited to, suspension of the event, rescheduling the event, or immediately ending the event.

The DoS or designee, along with the initial demonstration SR, will have designated a separate and specific counterdemonstration area for those persons with views that differ from the views held by the event organizers. In order to ensure the safety of all participants, Campus Security may require the attendance of one or more officers. 

Due to the nature of demonstrations, the DoS or designee, reserve the right to designate specific parameters of space/location, time, and duration for the event.  The designated area for demonstrations is the Kay Granger Mall with counterdemonstration locations to be the Claudia Stepp Amphitheater. Failure to adhere to the designations of space/location, time, and duration may lead to interim measures including, but not limited to, suspension of the event, rescheduling the event, or immediately ending the event. The DoS or designee reserves the right to determine other locations as appropriate for the demonstration and counterdemonstration depending on circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, scheduling conflicts).

Demonstrations are permitted during typical business hours. If the requested demonstration is scheduled outside of normal business hours, the SR and Dean of Students office must determine who will be present for the duration of the demonstration. Demonstrations may be required to end if University officials determine that University operations have been compromised and/or the rights of others have been significantly infringed. Interference with instruction is viewed as particularly disruptive to the University.  The DoS or designee and Campus Security reserve the right to end a demonstration if deemed unsafe, inappropriately disruptive, or inappropriate per the guidelines in the policies.

1. Recognized student organizations may reserve TXWES facilities to conduct meetings, or to host and/or publicize the appearance of a candidate on campus (consistent with this policy and with policies regarding facility use by student groups). However, no recognized student organization or individual may use TXWES funds to purchase campaign material, pay for campaign ads, contribute in any way to a political campaign, or pay honoraria, transportation, support services, accommodation or meal expenses, for candidates for public office.
2. Students wishing to use TXWES facilities in connection with the appearance of a candidate must first make a written request to the Office of the President or the Vice President for Student Affairs. The request must include copies of any publicity that will be used in association with the event and information about the desired time and location for the proposed event.
3. Students wishing to use TXWES facilities for a variety of candidates to appear if such appearances constitute speeches, question-and-answer sessions, or similar communications in an academic setting and are not conducted as campaign rallies or events. The format of any such presentations must make clear that TXWES neither supports nor opposes the candidate.
4. Websites of recognized student organizations that reside on the University’s network or are linked to the University’s website may not be used to express bias in favor of or against any candidate for public office, political party or political action committee, unless a disclaimer is posted on the organization’s website stating that the opinions expressed are those of the organization and not those of the University.

All signs, flyers, or other advertisements are expected to follow the University posting policy found at the Student Organization page for publicity and advertising.  All demonstrations will be included on the University calendar as part of the advance arrangements process. 

Placards, banners, chalking, and signs are generally allowed but may not pose a danger to others or impede the participation of others in the life of the University.  If the use of placards, banners, chalking, or signs are deemed to be dangerous, use offensive or discriminatory language or slurs, or impede the participation of others, University officials will require the individuals carrying the placards, banners, chalking, or signs to move to a different location or remove their materials.  

All students participating in demonstrations are expected to carry and present a form of University issued or government issued identification upon request from a University official.

University residence halls are considered private and demonstrations involving non-residential students will not be permitted to take place within any residential building. Academic spaces are considered foundational to the institutional mission and demonstrations will not be permitted to occur in academic-specific spaces. Demonstrations are not permitted in University buildings unless explicitly approved by DoS or designee.

A demonstration or counterdemonstration may attract nonparticipants to the area.  Onlookers are permitted to be present, but are expected to follow all parameters of this policy.  Students’ (when onlookers) failure to follow all policies and regulations will result in a referral to the disciplinary process.

Access to University owned or controlled property shall primarily be limited to students, employees and their visitors/guests for the purposes of study, work, teaching, extra- and co-curricular involvement, and conducting or attending other University business or activity.  Absent prior approval, Texas Wesleyan University prohibits access to and being present on University owned or controlled property by non-University affiliated individuals at any time.

All individuals – visitors and others – present on University owned or controlled property shall conduct themselves in accordance with the law, University policies, as well as in a manner that maintains a safe environment. Conduct including, but not limited to, intentional or negligent disruption of the operations of the University, excess noise, threats, harassment, hate speech, physical abuse, intimidation, endangerment to the health or safety of any person or property, or unauthorized entry into, obstruction of, or occupation of any University owned or controlled property is prohibited and shall be deemed a violation of this policy.

Application of this policy does not preclude the application of other University policies or regulations as may be warranted by a given situation, including, but not limited to the Code of Student Conduct, alcohol and drug policies, and the University ID policy. 

If an individual engages in behavior or conduct that is inconsistent with this policy or any other University policy or that is otherwise inconsistent with the best interests of the University, the individual will be asked to refrain from such conduct and may be asked to vacate University owned or controlled property at once.  Failure to adhere to this request may result in law enforcement being summoned to take appropriate action, including possible removal for trespassing.  Students reported to have violated this policy will be subject to the Code of Student Conduct and disciplinary process.  Texas Wesleyan University reserves the right to regulate the activity on its campus and to end any demonstration, counterdemonstration, or individual who presents any harm or threat of harm to any individual or property. 

Initially approved and adopted on 03-Nov-2017.

Updated by President’s Cabinet on 11-Jun-2024.