Student Speech and Expression

If you are planning to host an expressive event on campus, there are a few things to consider. First, all students should contact the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers (OSLCC) to ensure they receive proper support for their form of expression, including reviewing time, place, and manner policies and helping to avoid a conflict with a previously scheduled campus or student event. OSLCC also has forms for scheduling outdoor or indoor events, along with checklists to ensure you have everything you need.

Each expressive event is different, and as such, it is advisable that students first contact OSLCC to communicate their plans, whether it be a meeting, march, the distribution of materials, a performance, or posting/chalking. Note that time, place, and manner guidelines differ based on the type of expression.

Time, Place, and Manner

Cal Poly Pomona, like most other institutions, has regulations on activities. Some such restrictions follow:

• Scheduled events take precedence over spur of the moment activities.
• Because an event with amplified sound may interfere with classes in session and/or other
  activities, sound amplification is generally limited to times when classes are not in session.
• Activities that restrict or disturb the routine business of the University are generally
  prohibited or closely monitored and as such, may be directed to cease should it be
  reasonably determined such activity is restricting or disturbing the routine business of the
  University.

Time: Daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for current Cal Poly Pomona students, registered student clubs/organizations, staff, faculty, and auxiliary employees who may engage in expressive activities at any time in conformity with the Presidential Order.

Place: Free speech and expressive activities may take place on campus with the following exceptions: parking lots/structures, University buildings, and within 20 feet of any location in which instructional, educational, and/or official business activities are being conducted. Popular locations are University Park and University Quad.

Manner: Free speech and expressive activities must be conducted in a manner that (1) shall not unreasonably interfere with or obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, (2) shall not unreasonably interfere with or disrupt the conduct of University business, (3) shall be carried out without creating excessive noise by use of a device, (4) shall not unreasonably interfere with classes in session or other scheduled academic, educational, or cultural/arts programs, (5) shall not promote an unlawful end, such as promoting actual violence or bodily or property harm, terrorist threats, defamation, obscenity, and false advertising, (6) shall not violate any federal, state or local safety code, such as regulations set by the State Fire Marshal, and (7) allows appropriate authorities (e.g., University Police) to act within the scope of their job at any time before or during the activity to restrict behaviors reasonably deemed to threaten life/physical safety or property.