Engage

On this page are resources, policies, and guidelines to support students’ right to free expression. Also on this page are the consequences students may encounter when expressing their viewpoints in manners inconsistent with policy. 

Whether a student is staging a protest, distributing information, or speaking out against injustice, the University supports the right to free expression in a safe and successful manner.

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Planning an Event

Before planning an event, we encourage reading through the University’s policies regarding event management and planning. Please note these are subject to change given the ongoing pandemic and its associated expectations.  

  • Events calendar or listing of events currently happening:
  • Postering, Chalking, and Distribution of Information Policies
    • “Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right under the U.S. Constitution and a core value of the University. To sustain an open exchange of ideas, the University community is asked to be tolerant of differing points of view and respect the rights of others to express themselves. Any member of the University community who finds posted or distributed materials to be offensive or disrespectful is encouraged to contact their campus resource (see Appendix.)
    • Persons or groups distributing information are prohibited from:
      • coercing of others by demands, threats, or other means to accept publications;
      • interfering with or impeding the normal flow of either vehicular or pedestrian traffic on campus; or
      • interfering with, disrupting, or otherwise advocating disruption or violation of any other lawful activity of any other person(s).
  • Posting Policy
  • Reservation Policy  and Classroom Booking
  • Distribution, Solicitation & Free Speech 
  • Using and Leasing Outdoor Space:  Duluth
  • Where Can We Publically Gather to Express Ourselves?
    • Lobby of LSBE and VossKovach/Engineering (be mindful not to disrupt operations, such as classes)
    • Kirby Student Center Commons (with appropriate reservation)
    • Kirby Student Center meeting rooms and event spaces (with appropriate reservation)
    • Outdoor space as noted on this map

Protesting

Given that the University of Minnesota is a public institution, it cannot unreasonably limit students’ First Amendment rights.

  • Historically, UMD students have done a great job of expressing their opinions in protest activities within the bounds of University policy as well as federal, state, and local law.  This means, in recent years, students have successfully protested a number of issues important to them, and all of us, in ways that abide by policy expectations.
  • Students who are planning a protest activity, while not required, are encouraged to consult with Kirby Student Center staff for support in achieving a safe and successful event.
  • The First Amendment does not protect civil disobedience or unlawful misconduct.
    • “Even though the police or college can remove and possibly punish you for disruptive activity, like blocking traffic or interrupting classes, they can’t do so because they don’t like your message or point of view." FIRE
  • The University of Minnesota is allowed to apply reasonable, content-neutral time/place/manner restrictions on protesting. The University does not have one single time/place/manner policy but does apply restrictions through use of outdoor space as well as policies applied to the distribution of publications and chalking on campus. In addition, the Illinois ACLU has provided a short brief with information on time/place/manner restrictions and how a government actor can implement them.
  • What a student needs to know before planning a demonstration:
    • Know your rights:
      • Generally, speech is constitutionally protected in traditional “public forums” such as public sidewalks and parks. 
      • Public streets can be used for marches subject to City or State permitting processes. 
      • University spaces can be used for public demonstrations subject to space reservations and permit processes.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Student Conduct Code to understand what is not allowed at the University. For suspected violations, the University has a policy dedicated to resolving Code violations.
  • If a student is involved with a violation of the Student Conduct Code, they should talk with the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution for information about conduct procedures. Please note that Administrative Policy only applies where a sanction is sought for an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code. The University disciplinary process is separate from any law enforcement disciplinary process, even if the alleged violation is the same in both cases. Please see the Support page for further resources and information. 
  • Behaviors occurring in conjunction with demonstrations may be considered a violation of the Student Conduct Code. The following actions are violations of the University’s Student Conduct Code (see Section IV):
    • Disorderly Conduct
    • Refusal to Identify and Comply
    • Harm to a Person
    • Theft, Property Damage, Vandalism
    • Rioting
    • Providing false information to a university or other official 
    • Violation of Local, State, or Federal Laws or Ordinances
      • (*Note, this is not an exhaustive list.)
  • Student conduct records maintained by the University of Minnesota Duluth are governed by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Policy on Student Education Records. For more information regarding this policy as well as early expungement procedures that could pertain, please visit this link.
  • Unlawful demonstrations:
    • A student can be arrested during a demonstration if they engage in unlawful behavior. Additionally, the police may treat “noncooperation” with the arrest process as a separate offense such as obstructing legal process, unlawful assembly, or presence at unlawful assembly, among others.
    • In Minnesota, police can individuals with:
Students talking outside at a table