Demonstration Policy Resource Guide

Rights, Rules and Responsibilities

Grinnell College aims to assist individuals in responding to complex social and political issues as they arise. We strive to create an environment where discourse and dialogue can occur in a safe and respectful manner while honoring all community members' freedom of expression. Grinnell College aims to balance free expression with College policies, as well as local, state, and federal law, protect community safety, and ensure continuity of the academic experience. 

Demonstration Policy (Student Handbook)

• Demonstrations may not violate or conflict with any college policies, nor state or federal law. 
• The College affirms the right to assembly and supports expression in the form of protest and demonstration under the following conditions: 
  1. Demonstrations may not impede access to the educational experience for other students and may not impede access to the employment responsibilities for faculty or staff.
  2. Demonstrations may not cause damage to persons or College property.
  3. Students engaged in demonstrations may not access confidential spaces, confidential information, or private individual offices. 

Policy Expectations: 

Safety of Community Members

• Activities may not pose a threat to health and safety or exceed safe occupancy capacity in a room. 
• Activities may not block doors, hallways, stairways, fire exits, fire lanes, or public rights of way, including streets, sidewalks, etc. 

Normal Functions of the College

• Activities may not interfere with scheduled college activities (e.g. athletic events, student programs), academic programs (e.g. classes, labs, tutoring sessions), or speakers. 
• Class time is defined as any time in which regularly scheduled classes take place, generally Monday-Friday. 8 a.m.-3:50 p.m. and Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. 

College Property vs. Public Property Spaces

• To enable the free sharing of ideas on campus, Grinnell College has rules and procedures for reserving space or other facilities. 
• When activities conflict, the College has the authority to request that those involved in one activity stop, move, or change their behavior so that the other activity can continue. 
• Public versus private property. Public sidewalks, which are the most common type, are normally pedestrian paths separating private property from the adjacent public streets. 
  1. For an overview of Grinnell, Iowa, sidewalk: Sidewalks | Grinnell, IA — Official Website (grinnelliowa.gov). As defined by Grinnell City Council (Ord. 1414 — Oct. 15 Supp.): “Public way” includes any street, alley, boulevard, parkway, highway, sidewalk, or other public thoroughfare. 
  2. “Sidewalk” means all permanent public walks in business, residential or suburban areas.
  3. For Educational, Religious, or Charitable Organizations, an application/permit needs to be completed and forwarded to the chief of police for approval. 

Amplified Sound

• During class time, amplified sound (including microphones, amps, and bullhorns) is permitted on campus in outdoor locations only. Outdoor amplified sound may not exceed 83db measured 40 feet from the sound source in any direction.
• Amplified sound is not permitted indoors unless it is being used in classroom activities for accessibility purposes (i.e. microphones for hearing loop).

Posting Material

• Posters, announcements, flyers and signs must follow all guidelines noted in the Marketing and Promotion section of the Student Handbook. Posting is only permitted in designated areas (e.g. Mail Room bulletin board, brick wall outside of Fireplace Lounge, tile wall in front of dining). Posting on non-approved surfaces (e.g. windows, doors, tables/desks, elevators, etc.) will be removed and disposed of without prior notification. All posters/flyers must include an organization or individual's name and email address. 
• Materials placed in areas outside of these designated locations (e.g. windows, doors, on pillars, on tables/desks, elevators, taped to glass in loggia or in residence hall vestibules) will be removed by College staff.

Campus Chalking

• No markings, including chalking, may be on campus buildings or other structures or surfaces; chalking may be allowed on certain sidewalks and streets but is subject to removal, consistent with campus maintenance standards and practices.

Individuals on Grinnell College campus have the responsibility to adhere to federal and state laws, the municipal code, and Grinnell College rules and policies. Individuals may be cited for trespassing or subject to criminal prosecution for any illegal behavior committed on campus or public property. Additionally, students are subject to the Student Handbook and its associated conduct procedures, and Grinnell College employees are subject to the relevant Grinnell College Staff or Faculty Handbooks and associated processes. 

Contact Information & Resources

For information regarding Public and Public Sidewalks, please contact City of Grinnell Administrative Office at 641-236-2600

For information regarding Application and Permits, please contact City of Grinnell Administrative Office at 641-236-2600

For information regarding on-campus Campus Safety, please contact 641-269-4600
Mears Cottage — First Floor

Ethics Point: 855-667-1753 and online at EthicsPoint — Grinnell College