I. Purpose and Definitions.

1. The purpose of these Guidelines is to ensure an atmosphere conducive to learning, the reasonable conduct of public business, unobstructed access to the College for its students, faculty, employees, occupants and the public, and maintenance of the College grounds.

2. The grounds of the College are defined as all lands and buildings of all campuses of Macomb Community College and include (by way of illustration and not of limitation) the exterior walls and surfaces of the buildings, entrances, porches, outside staircases, sidewalks, parking lots and all fixtures.

3. Expressive activity is defined as the carrying or displaying of signs or placards, leafleting, campaigning, marches, rallies, parades, demonstrations, protests, assemblies, speeches, circulation of petitions, and/or any public demonstration on the grounds.

II. Scheduling.

Requests to schedule expressive activity on the College grounds shall be made to the Dean of Community and Student Enrichment or his/her designee (hereinafter, Dean).

1. Requests must be made in writing to the Dean during regular business hours at least 48 hours prior to any expressive activity on a form supplied by the College.

2. Each request shall be in writing and shall contain the following information:
   1. Name/address/telephone number(s) of contact person(s).

   2. Name/address/telephone number(s) of back up contact person(s).

   3. Date and hours requested for the expressive activity and duration of the expressive activity.

   4. Area requested for use.

   5. Number of anticipated participants

   6. Structures to be used in the expressive activity.

3. In order to assure the reasonable conduct of public business, the educational process, unobstructed access to the College for its students, faculty, employees, occupants and the public, and to maintain the College grounds, the Dean has been delegated the authority to approve, modify or deny an application for expressive activity.

4. The Dean will review applications and may approve, modify or deny an application. The Dean will not take the content of the speech into consideration when approving, modifying or denying an application.

5. All decisions by the Dean required under these procedures shall be made as promptly as possible, but no later than 24 hours after receiving the written request.

6. If a person or organization is aggrieved by a decision of the Dean, an appeal may be taken to the Vice President for Student and Community Relations within three College business days of that decision. The appeal shall be in writing, stating the basis therefore, and the relief sought. The Vice President shall announce a decision as promptly as possible, but no later than six College business days after the Vice President has received the appeal.

III. Governing Conditions.

Public use of the College grounds for expressive activity is subject to the following:

1. Use of the College grounds by an individual or organization for expressive activity is permitted only if the expressive activity has been approved by the Dean.

2. In order to maintain the security, safety and aesthetic appearance of the College and College grounds, and to provide for regular maintenance, improvements or alterations, expressive activity on the College grounds may occur only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and shall at no time block any entrance or exit of the buildings, or impede free access to the buildings or parking lots by its students, faculty, employees, occupants or the public. Expressive activity shall not impede or interfere with College business, the educational process, or public access to and use of the College grounds. The College reserves the right to stop any expressive activity when it interferes with or disrupts the normal activities of the College; interferes with the educational process; or violates any of the conditions covering expressive activity under this policy.

3. To provide for regular maintenance, improvements or alterations of the College grounds and in order to maintain the security, safety and aesthetic appearance of the College and College grounds, equipment, signs, banners or structures of any kind that are placed on the College grounds in connection with any expressive activity shall be free standing and shall not be affixed to any building, tree, monument, fixture or other College structure. The equipment, signs, banners or structures shall be entirely removed at the conclusion of the scheduled expressive activity, or no later than 8:15 p.m. on any day of expressive activity. Structures (whether for shelter or for any other purpose) erected by an organization as part of a scheduled expressive activity must be approved by the Dean.

4. Due to the presence of underground utility, electrical and drainage lines, signs or banners shall not be driven into the ground; nor shall they be supported in or by any tree, monument or other structure affixed to the College grounds. Signs or banners supported by freestanding devices may not be left unattended, i.e., an individual must be stationed within two feet of a freestanding sign or banner at all times to prevent damage to the property and injury to individuals.

5. Defacing or damaging the College grounds, including but not limited to trees, shrubbery, flowers, lawns, sidewalks, parking lots, fences, lighting fixtures, light wells, fire hydrants, benches, statues, monuments, plaques, and such subterranean features as are necessary for the maintenance and operation of the College (such as lawn sprinkler systems, sewer and water mains, electrical conduit, etc.), or any other feature is not allowed. Likewise, defacing or damaging the exterior walls and surfaces of the buildings, including the entrances, porches and staircases, is not allowed.

6. Stepping or climbing upon statues, monuments, fences, lighting fixtures, light wells, trees, or parts of the College building not intended for such purposes is not allowed.

7. No sign located within 50 feet of a roadway, entrance or exit shall be larger than 3' x 3', and no sign shall block the sight lines of drivers entering or exiting the College grounds or traveling on a public roadway around the College.

8. Vehicles are not allowed on the College grounds, except in areas designated for vehicular use.

9. Camping or sleeping overnight on the College grounds is not allowed.

10. Alcoholic beverages or any other controlled substance shall not be possessed, dispensed, or consumed on the College grounds.

11. Individuals distributing literature shall remove all discarded items from the grounds at the conclusion of their activity.

12. To insure public safety, firearms, or other weapons are not allowed on campus.

13. Persons engaged in expressive activity must comply with all College policies, Campus Rules and Regulations, and local, state and federal ordinances and statutes.

14. Expressive activity inside College buildings is prohibited.

15. This policy does not apply to labor disputes between construction contractors of the College and labor unions or facility licenses issued pursuant to board policy. Where a labor union wishes to engage in expressive activity, the College will set up a reserved gate as authorized by law.

Approved by President's Council
July 6, 2000
Revised October 25, 2006