Protest and Demonstration Policy

This policy outlines the expectations for, and obligations of, members of the Lewis & Clark community who are planning or holding a protest or other public demonstration on property owned or controlled by Lewis & Clark College (“LC Property”).

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the Lewis & Clark community.

Policy

In order to maintain safety on campus and to allow for necessary planning and preparation, any member of the Lewis & Clark community planning a protest or other public demonstration on LC Property should contact one of the following offices for information and guidance:

• College of Arts & Sciences: Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Office (503-768-7110)
• Law School: Dean’s Office (503-768-6601)
• Graduate School: Dean’s Office (503-768-6004)

Lewis & Clark is committed to freedom of expression and to the exchange of views and ideas in a manner that promotes collective engagement, mutual understanding, and learning from one another. A protest or other public demonstration is allowable so long as it is non-obstructive and respectful of Lewis & Clark’s mission and the rights of other students, faculty, employees, and guests. Lewis & Clark reserves the right to designate time, manner, and appropriate areas for protests.

During protests, participants must respect the rights of others, including those with whom they disagree. Any person engaging in disruptive or disorderly conduct, failing to comply with the directions of a Lewis & Clark official, or otherwise violating College policy is subject to disciplinary action as provided in the relevant conduct code or other rules and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, Law School or Graduate School, as applicable.

Individuals who are not members of the Lewis & Clark community may be instructed to leave campus, and local laws related to trespassing may be enforced.

Disruptive conduct includes, but is not limited, to the following:

• INTERFERING with Lewis & Clark operations, activities, and/or events, including the rights and activities of other students, faculty, employees, and/or guests. Protests or demonstrations inside libraries, academic areas, residence halls, or administrative or office buildings are disruptive to College operations and are therefore impermissible.
• IMPEDING a person’s speech or presentation by heckling or inappropriate outbursts or by BLOCKING the ability of audience members to see or hear a speaker. Speakers are entitled to communicate their message to the audience, and the audience is entitled to hear the message and see the speaker.
• PREVENTING or interfering with access to or egress from offices, meeting rooms, buildings or other LC property.
• CREATING the threat of physical harm to persons or damage to LC property or invading the personal space of other students, faculty, employees, and/or guests.
• REMAINING in a building, portion of a building, or outdoor area after the area has been closed.
• EXCEEDING building and/or reasonable outdoors site capacities as determined by Lewis & Clark.
• EXCEEDING noise levels and/or interfering with or disrupting Lewis & Clark operations and activities, including the rights and activities of other students, faculty, employees, and/or guests.
• FAILING to comply with the directions of Lewis & Clark officials and/or local and state officials, including directions to leave a facility or space.

This policy is not meant to prevent members of the Lewis & Clark community from effectively expressing their views. Every situation is unique and must be considered based on the totality of its circumstances, balancing the needs of the College, the safety of our community, and respect for freedom of expression, the exchange of views, and the ability to dissent. For instance, although a dissenter may not interfere with, block or otherwise impede an invited speaker from communicating with the audience, a member of the Lewis & Clark community would generally be able to engage in orderly picketing outside an event venue in a manner that does not impede access to the venue, distribute literature outside of a venue, or engage in silent or symbolic protest during an event (such as wearing symbolic clothing or turning one’s back on a speaker). Members of the Lewis & Clark community with questions about the interpretation or application of this policy in a particular circumstance should contact the appropriate office mentioned above.

Related Resources

• Freedom of Expression and Academic Inquiry Policy 
• College of Arts & Sciences, Student Code of Conduct
• Law School, Student Honor & Conduct Code
• Graduate School, Academic Performance and Professional Conduct Policies