Campus Free Expression Guidelines

The following administrative procedures (B.08: Freedom of Expression) have been adopted to govern the time, place and manner of demonstrations and other assemblies that fall under the Missouri Campus Free Expression Act (MO Senate Bill 93) of 2015.

All non-College sponsored individuals and groups engaging in expressive activity must comply with this procedure. Failure to do so may result in the termination of the expressive activity. Repeated violations may result in the loss of the ability to engage in expressive activity in the future.

Members of the Public at Large

The outdoor areas of St. Louis Community College have been designated a traditional public forum under state law. Therefore, expressive activities including, but not limited to, peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, distribution of literature, carrying signs, and circulating petitions, should take place in outdoor areas of campus.

Individuals or groups who engage in expressive activities allowed in outdoor areas must not:

• Be within 20 feet of the normal access, ingress, or egress to or from any building or portion of one, including walkways that connect such buildings.
• Engage in any activity that endangers physical safety and/or results in damage to personal or College property.
• Significantly disrupt College activities inside or outside of buildings.
• Utilize any amplification device.
• Interfere with the ability of vehicles to enter or exit a roadway.
• Obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
• Force or attempt to force individuals to accept leaflets or other materials.
• Affix items to permanent structures such as buildings, trees, posts, etc.
• Light any material on fire with the exception of hand-held candles, which may be used with special permission. Other open flame devices are strictly prohibited.
• Last longer than 8 hours in a 24-hour period during daylight hours.
• Use tents or other shelters.
• Solicit or promote for-profit products or services.
• Create a threat to public safety.

Expressive activity and expression covered under this policy must be in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and St. Louis Community College policies, rules and procedures.

Persons or organizations responsible for an activity covered under this policy must remove all signs and litter from the area at the end of the event or bear financial responsibility for any cleaning costs. Any items left behind or unattended (including memorials) may be removed after the event.

Students and Student Organizations

STLCC students are free and encouraged to express themselves in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines above and in accordance with STLCC's Student Conduct Rights and Responsibilities.

Additional Provisions

Non-College sponsored individuals or groups who wish to utilize interior spaces of STLCC buildings for the purpose of free expression must have an approved contract for rental of facilities and adhere to the requirements as set forth in the contract. An approved rental agreement by the College is not an endorsement of any individual, group, their views and/or their expressed speech.

When assessing a reservation request or when informed of spontaneous expressive activities on campus, STLCC personnel must not consider the content or viewpoint of the expression or the possible reaction to that expression, except to the extent such factors are relevant to assessing appropriate security measures.

College personnel may not impose restrictions on individuals or organizations engaged in expressive activities due to the content or viewpoint of their expression or the possible reaction to that expression. In the event that other persons react negatively to expressive activities, College personnel shall take all necessary steps to ensure public safety while allowing the expressive activity to continue.