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 I. POLICY STATEMENT

The University supports the right to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration, while maintaining the responsibility to uphold campus safety, respect, and the uninterrupted pursuit of academic activities. Demonstrations must be conducted in a manner that complies with this policy.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to all NSU students and student organizations seeking to hold demonstrations on NSU’s campuses.

III. DEFINITIONS

Demonstration – Any public expression of support for, or in opposition to, any person, group, organization, cause, institution, idea or policy, typically involving collective action such as protests, rallies, or other forms of public assembly.

IV. POLICY

The University supports the freedom of students and student organizations to demonstrate, as long as these activities do not disrupt academic or administrative functions or violate the privileges of others. Students and student organizations have an obligation to refrain from interfering with the rights of members of the NSU community to pursue legitimate educational objectives. Students and student organizations engaging in demonstrations on University property are expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, and all applicable laws.

The ability to demonstrate on campus is at the discretion of the University. As such, the University reserves the right to deny or limit the ability of students to demonstrate on campus, including by regulating the time, place, and manner of campus activities, and may impose any other requirements it deems appropriate. The University also reserves the right to assess any security costs related to demonstrations.

V. POLICY PROCEDURES

• Recognized University organizations and students seeking to schedule a demonstration must request and receive approval through the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement prior to holding the demonstration. No demonstrations may be held on campus without University approval.
• Any such request must be made no less than seven (7) business days in advance of the activity by completing the required Demonstration Registration Form, which can be obtained from the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement.
• On campus demonstrations may only occur with prior approval from Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement. Such approval may be granted only after an assessment to ensure that the proposed demonstration does not interfere with scheduled University activities, disrupt operations, infringe upon the rights of others, violate any University policies, or pose any other concerns deemed appropriate by the University.
• To demonstrate that there is no interference with the operations of the University, or the rights of others, demonstrators shall not:
  • Obstruct traffic on campus, including but not limited to pedestrian, vehicular, or bicycle.
  • Obstruct entrances or exits to buildings, driveways, or parking lots/garages.
  • Interfere with educational activities.
  • Interfere with or preclude a scheduled speaker from being heard.
  • Interfere with scheduled University events.
  • Damage property.
• No demonstration or event should be advertised by any means until it has received full approval in accordance with these policies prior to the planned demonstration or event.
• The Office of Public Safety will determine the necessary security required for the event, and the sponsoring organization will be responsible for any associated costs. Students and student organizations are prohibited from serving as security or providing their own security for any demonstration.
• A demonstration will not be permitted to last longer than two (2) hours.
• In the event of disruptive actions, University students participating in demonstrations must present identification, such as ID cards, upon request by the University.
• The University can terminate a demonstration at any time, remove individuals, and move forward with referrals for suspected violations of University policies.

VI. ENFORCEMENT

All students and student organizations holding or seeking to hold a demonstration are required to abide by this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including, revocation of the student organization’s right to exist at the University, and/or dismissal.

VII. INFORMATIONAL CONTACT

If you would like further information on the Demonstration Policy, or have additional questions, please contact Gerard Wheeler (gwheeler@nova.edu), at (954) 262-7284.

To submit a request for a demonstration, please submit the information through the link below:
sharkhub.nova.edu