5.37.1 Activities and Use of College Property Procedure

• Announcements of any on-campus event or program must convey information in a manner that assures the right of the college community to have the fullest possible knowledge of an event or program.
• Any content written in a language other than English must provide, on the same poster, sign, or banner, an accurate and complete translation in English of the information contained therein.
• Advertising official college functions may be placed on-campus. Note: The use of wall space or other painted surfaces within campus buildings is prohibited.
• Materials can be posted only in designated areas and must be removed promptly after the event.
• No postings should be taped to walls, pillars, windows, etc. without permission from the Physical Plant Director and may require special low-stick tape for easy removal.
• Chalk messages pertaining to college-sponsored activities and events may be placed in designated areas by officially Registered Student Organizations by completing the chalking reservation online permission form.
  1. Chalk messages, using water-soluble chalk, may be placed on paved sidewalk areas on college grounds.
  2. Chalk messages must include a sponsorship notation so that the responsible group is identified.
  3. Chalking in areas where it is not permitted, or chalking messages that are determined to not support the College mission, vision, values, or goals will be removed.
  4. No sign, poster, paint, chalk, or ink messages may be placed, affixed, or applied to the walls, windows, floors or other surfaces of campus buildings or structures, streets, walkways, utility poles, construction fences, trees, or shrubbery.

Posting — Additional Standards

1. Riverland students, staff, faculty, and student life activities may use college space and services to communicate and advertise Riverland-sponsored events.
2. Posters no larger than 11" × 17" can be placed on approved public bulletin boards. They are not to be posted on glass or painted surfaces.
3. The public may post on certain college bulletin boards with the permission of the Director of Athletics and Student Life. Bulletin boards outside classroom doors are reserved for class-related announcements (schedules, no class postings, etc.) and should not be used for events and activities.
4. Posters must be attached by masking tape to block or cement surfaces and by pushpins to bulletin boards. Materials may not be hung on windows, woodwork, or doors.
5. Banners may be placed in designated areas and must be approved in advance by the Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations, and Marketing.
6. The site receptionist in the Student Affairs area and the Campus Dean of Albert Lea and Owatonna will stamp all approved postings. All materials must contain ADA information (alternate formats and accommodations, as well as TTY information). Materials are approved for two weeks only. Event advertising should be posted no earlier than 14 days before the event in most instances. Removal of posted items must be included in the organization’s communications plan.

Non-dated advertising (campus employment recruiting, club meetings, etc.) does not have a limit of time. These usually are approved for the semester or for the entire school year. These materials will be discarded at the academic year-end.

Any posting that does not have the Approved Stamp or the appropriate ADA information will be removed.

Materials may not be placed on windshields of cars or other vehicles on-campus. Violators will be charged for clean-up of the grounds (labor costs).

All posters, banners, flyers, brochures, and handouts must include the following information:

1. Sponsor name
2. Nature of event
3. Time, date, place (if applicable)
4. Admission charge (if any)
5. Appropriate accessibility accommodation statement

All non-Riverland-related advertising must be routed through the receptionist in Student Affairs and approved by the Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations, and Marketing and placed only on designated boards. Any non-Riverland notices placed in any other areas will be removed. Approved personal notices and professional advertisements (magazines, spring break trips) can be displayed for a maximum of two weeks. The posting of non-Riverland materials is for informational purposes only and does not indicate endorsement or support of any given product or service.

Groups or individuals advertising on-campus are responsible for the removal of materials and will be billed for clean-up services if needed. Materials relating to the event must be removed within one working day after the conclusion of the event.

Groups or individuals that create excessive litter through advertising will be billed for clean-up services.

All materials must be stamped individually and include a removal date. The name and phone number of the person scheduled to remove postings must be on the back of the posting.

Refusal to adhere to the above policies may result in future denial of advertising privileges.

Distribution of Literature

1. Literature may be distributed on college properties or at official college functions subject to the following provisions:
   1. On college grounds open to the public, individuals and employee & student organizations may distribute literature provided that:
      1. The free flow of traffic at any point is not obstructed.
      2. Literature or materials are not forced upon others.
      3. Literature is not placed on or in vehicles parked on-campus.
      4. Tables or portable displays used to facilitate distribution are placed on paved pedestrian walkways and do not block the walkways or entrances to buildings. Displays must always be attended, and sponsors must ensure the area is not littered.
2. Students and employees from Registered Organizations may distribute literature in campus buildings or at programs only in accordance with the following:
   1. Compliance with the restrictions stated above.
   2. Literature may be distributed in rooms or areas reserved for meetings or programs only by the organization that reserved the area.
   3. Organizations must remove all literature upon departure.

Solicitation

1. The College regulates solicitation for commercial, religious, or political purposes.
   1. Solicitation must be conducted under the following guidelines:
      1. A Registered Student Organization may sell materials clearly related to the purpose of the organization.
      2. Solicitation shall not disturb or interfere with regular academic or institutional programs.
      3. Solicitation must not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
      4. No person will be harassed, embarrassed, or intimidated by solicitors.
      5. Questions or concerns should be referred to the Director of Athletics and Student Life.

Student-Sponsored Forums, Demonstrations, and Protests

For purposes of this policy, student life activities are those as defined by Minnesota Statute 136F.01, subdivision 5, and as embodied within the Minnesota State Student Life policy 2.8 Student Life. These include, but are not limited to, student organizations, student clubs, performance art activities, recreational sports, student life funded programs, and other student life sponsored activities.

1. First Amendment principles and Minnesota State Statutes acknowledge and affirm the rights of individuals to petition peacefully and in an orderly manner. This policy on demonstrations and protests is in keeping with these principles and rights.
   1. The College permits peaceful demonstrations and protests for the purpose of attracting attention to specific causes and to express grievances.
   2. Sponsors of demonstrations or protests must have approval by the Finance and Facilities Department up to a week prior to the scheduled activity. City permits may also be required.
   3. Peaceful registered demonstrations and protests will be permitted in the following non-reserved areas:
      1. Specific non-academic public hallways and lounges. These areas and some outside areas may be requested through the Finance and Facilities Department and the Safety Administrator.
      2. Protests must adhere to City Noise Ordinances where applicable. Such activity is not permitted inside offices, classrooms, or laboratories that may disrupt student learning.
   4. At no time shall a demonstration or protest block individuals from lawful access to and egress from college buildings and facilities.
   5. The College will intervene when statutes are violated, when others are deprived of their rights, or when operations of the College are disrupted.
   6. Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct during a demonstration or protest may be subject to disciplinary action and penalties under applicable state laws. See Minnesota Statute Section 624.72.
2. The College permits the use of its facilities by students and employees of Registered Student Organizations, individual students, and the public in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, and law.
   1. College-sponsored activities and Registered Student Organizations are given priority for use of facilities over individual students or outside groups.
   2. Individuals or groups desiring to use space must make a request to the reservation staff. Charges may be made if the event requires special equipment, additional personnel (including security), additional setup/cleanup, and/or extended building hours.
   3. Reservation staff shall approve properly completed applications unless there is reason to believe:
      1. The facility is inadequate or inappropriate for the planned event.
      2. The Registered Student Organization is under disciplinary penalty prohibiting its use of college facilities.
      3. The proposed use includes an activity that would violate state law, city ordinance, or College policy.
      4. The proposed use would constitute an immediate or potential danger to the peace or security of the College that available law enforcement could not control, or would disrupt other scheduled programs.
      5. The proposed activity would constitute an unauthorized or perceived joint sponsorship with a private individual or organization.
3. Non-College Speakers
   1. Members of the faculty, academic departments, administrative offices, and Registered Student Organizations may invite non-college speakers to address meetings on-campus.
   2. Student groups that are not registered with the Student Senate may not invite non-college speakers to address meetings on-campus.
   3. If there would likely be extensive public notice or controversy associated with the presence of any speaker on-campus, prior notice should be given to the Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations, and Marketing (for media inquiries) and to the Vice President of Finance and Operations and Safety Administrator (for possible protestor disruption). Except for special circumstances, this notice should be provided two weeks in advance.
   4. The presence of a guest speaker on campus does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement by the College of the views expressed.
   5. Sponsoring entities should include the following statement in advertisements, announcements, and news releases: “The presence of [speaker/group] on the campus of Riverland Community College does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement by the College of the views expressed by [speaker/group] or by anyone else at the event.”
   6. The College administration may require the meeting to be chaired by a person approved by the College and/or require that the speaker be subject to questions from the audience.
   7. An invitation to a non-College speaker may be rescinded only if the President or designee determines, after appropriate inquiry, that the proposed speech will constitute a clear and present danger to the orderly operation or peaceful conduct of campus activities by advocacy of actions such as:
      1. Willful damage, destruction, or seizure of college buildings or property.
      2. Disruption of, impairment of, or interference with classes or other College activities.
      3. Physical harm, coercion, intimidation, or other invasion of the rights of students, faculty, staff, or guests.
      4. Advocacy of violation of law.
      5. Other disorders of a violent or seriously disruptive nature.
4. Political Activity
   1. Riverland Community College encourages free inquiry and expression of ideas while protecting individual rights and facility operations. Political activity is permitted on-campus subject to reasonable regulation of time, place, and manner. All persons on college property must abide by college policies.
   2. Political activity includes actions promoting the candidacy of individuals or positions on public issues and may include:
      1. Distribution of political literature (handbills/flyers, cards, buttons, pamphlets).
      2. Requests to sign petitions.
      3. Discussions of candidates or issues, which may be limited as follows:
         1. Use of available public areas in college facilities for political activity is encouraged and must be scheduled with the reservation staff.
         2. Political activity is not permitted in classrooms, laboratories, libraries, or offices, except as part of a scheduled class activity.
         3. Individuals or groups impeding normal traffic will be directed to move.
         4. No person or group may place political signs, posters, banners, or similar material on or in college property. Political Registered Student Organizations may post signs announcing meetings of the organization.
         5. Individuals may place signs, banners, flyers, or posters only on their own vehicles, which must be parked in regular stalls and lots.
         6. College properties may be used for voter registration in spaces open to the public.
   3. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
      1. Blocking entrances or interfering with free flow of traffic.
      2. Obstructing or disrupting campus activities.
      3. Producing amplified or non-amplified sound that disrupts campus activities.
      4. Camping or lodging except in authorized locations.
      5. Physically abusive, threatening, or intimidating conduct.
      6. Disorderly or lewd conduct.
      7. Participating in a disturbance of the peace or unlawful assembly.
      8. Use, possession, sale, or manufacture of narcotic or illegal drugs, including cannabinoids, or alcohol. Refer to exceptions in Minnesota State Policy 5.18: Alcoholic Beverages or Controlled Substances on Campus.
      9. Failure to comply with the directions of a college official acting in the performance of duties.
      10. Theft or misuse of college property or equipment.
   4. The First Amendment does not protect all speech or expression. Any speech that inflicts or threatens harm, causes a breach of the peace, incites crime, or causes panic is not protected. See Board Policy 3.1.
   5. The use of sound trucks or other sound amplification equipment is prohibited on college property except when special permission has been given in accordance with college procedures for a scheduled event and with proper City permits (if required).

Fundraising

1. Officially Registered Student Organizations may raise funds to support their activities in accordance with the following provisions:
   1. Funds may be collected, and noncommercial materials related to the purpose of the organization may be sold:
      1. On college grounds open to the public generally.
      2. At their own programs and meetings.
   2. Initiation fees and membership dues may be collected at their own business and membership meetings.
   3. All student fundraising activities must have prior authorization of the Dean of Student Affairs (or designee), who is responsible for accounting and proper expenditure of such funds. See the student section of Employee Fundraising Activities and Other Charitable Causes On Campus.
   4. Considerations for student organizations that wish to raise money for charitable causes include:
      1. Appropriateness of association with the charitable organization and alignment with the student organization’s mission.
      2. No use of student activity fee money (for advertising, “seed” money, or other purposes).
      3. No use of other state resources for private purposes (e.g., state vehicles or business office resources).
      4. Facilities use must comply with applicable campus policies.
      5. E-mail/electronic message boards may not be used; other means such as public bulletin boards may be utilized.
      6. Consider having a representative of the charitable organization present to directly collect donations.
      7. Promotions should not suggest that the college/university is the sponsor of the activity.

Programs and Activities

1. Students and employees of Registered Student Organizations are authorized to use college properties for organized programs and activities subject to these regulations.
2. Community and civic organizations may be allowed use of college properties only in accordance with specific policies governing such use, as administered by college facilities.
3. A request for use of college properties may be denied if it will unreasonably disrupt the orderly operation of the campus. Denial may be appealed to the Vice President of Finance and Operations.
4. Any activity, program, or event must not unreasonably disrupt official college functions or the orderly operation of the campus. Activities disrupting operations shall be discontinued at the direction of the Safety Administrator or local law enforcement. Criteria include, but are not limited to: expected duration, timing in relation to the academic calendar, number of participants, expected noise level, and need for college resources/personnel.
5. College properties may be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis by students and employees of Registered Student Organizations for activities directly related to the purposes of the sponsoring entity. Use is subject to the restraints and scheduling procedures of the facilities involved. Permission to use facilities is not an endorsement by the college.
6. Users requiring special arrangements, equipment, or staffing may be assessed charges per published rate tables. Deposits and financial accountability may be required.
7. No publicity for any program may be released before facility use has been approved and reservations finalized. When media coverage is solicited, the sponsoring entity must inform the Executive Director of Communications, Media Relations, and Marketing.
8. Programs or activities involving off-campus audiences ordinarily must be sponsored by employees or students of Registered Student Organizations or by departments specifically authorized to present such programs.
9. All programs or activities utilizing sound systems must obtain specific approval for amplification from the campus or site Facility representative. City permits may be required for outside amplification.
10. Students and employees of Registered Organizations specifically authorized by the college may charge admission to campus programs or activities (e.g., Theater, Music, Athletic events). Other Registered Student Organizations may charge admission with prior approval and in compliance with written policies from the Director of Athletics and Student Life.
11. Donations may not be required as a condition of admission to any on-campus program, activity, or meeting.
12. Outdoor Areas
    1. General Provisions
       1. Outdoor areas may be reserved for activities and programs in accordance with college mission, vision, values, policies, and regulations.
       2. Use must not interfere with others’ use of those areas beyond reasonably short periods, unreasonably disrupt operations or official functions, or unreasonably disrupt the peace and quiet of the campus and adjacent community.

State of Emergency

Reference the Riverland Community College Crisis Management Plan.

Definitions

Student: One who is currently enrolled at Riverland Community College or, during the recess period between academic terms or the summer period, one who has completed the immediately preceding term and is eligible for re-enrollment.

College Personnel: Individuals employed by any academic or nonacademic department or division of the college without regard to type of monetary compensation.

Registered Organization or Student Registered Organization: Any organization whose membership is recognized by Riverland Community College.

Unregistered: Any organization whose membership is not limited to Riverland Community College students and/or personnel.

Bargaining Unit: Any organization recognized by state Public Employer Labor Relations Association (PELRA) laws.

Official College Functions: Scheduled academic classes and activities; normal daily operations of the college; and programs or activities sponsored by the college or Registered Student Organizations in the course of fulfilling the college mission “to transform lives through excellence in service, education, and career training.”

Grounds Open to the Public Generally: Paved pedestrian walkways on college property except those within areas reserved for classes, public performances, or organized activities, and those on and adjacent to vehicular driveways, streets, and parking lots.

Grounds are open to the public generally between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., these areas are generally closed to all activities except passage to a college building or crossing the campus.

College Properties: Any college owned, operated, or maintained property, including all college grounds and structures.

An organization can be either registered or unregistered.

A Registered Organization whose active membership is limited to Riverland Community College students and/or personnel may become a Registered Organization approved in accordance with Articles X and XI of the Student Senate Constitution.

An Unregistered organization is an organization whose membership is not limited to Riverland Community College students and/or personnel.

Officially Registered Organizations: An organization, with the sponsorship of the college and with the approval of the Student Senate and College President, may become an Officially Registered Organization. The nature and scope of such organizations is limited, and they must comply with the following provisions whether their activities occur on or off campus.

1. Their purposes and activities must be directly aligned with the college mission, vision, values, purposes, and activities of the college.
2. The college must assume full responsibility for the actions and activities of the college-sponsored activities.
3. Officially Registered Organizations may receive office space, support, and funding from the college. Funds other than those originating through these sources may not be solicited or requested unless in coordination with the Dean of Institutional Advancement for student organizations and athletics.
4. Expenditure of funds must comply with applicable college policies, regulations, and procedures. See the Student Organizations section of Employee Fundraising Activities and Other Charitable Causes On Campus for fundraising considerations, which include:
   1. Appropriateness of association with the charitable organization and alignment with the student organization’s mission.
   2. No use of student activity fee money for advertising, “seed” money, or other associated purpose.
   3. No use of other state resources for private purposes (e.g., state vehicles or business office resources).
   4. Facilities use must comply with applicable campus policies.
   5. E-mail/electronic message boards may not be used; other means of promotion such as public bulletin boards may be utilized.
   6. Consider arranging for a representative of the charitable organization to directly collect donations to avoid accounting responsibilities and ensure donors receive appropriate documentation for tax deductions.
   7. Promotions should not suggest that the college/university is the sponsor of the activity.
5. Officially Registered Organizations must have and conduct all activities according to the organization’s constitution or by-laws. Registered Organizations may recruit members where literature may be distributed. Officially Registered Organizations must obtain approval of the College President or Dean of Student Affairs before engaging in specific activities. Unregistered Organizations may use facilities based on the Facilities Usage and Rental Policy.

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Date Implemented: October 2011

Responsible Division / Author: Student Affairs / Dean of Students

Date Revised: Feb. 2024 condensed.