Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom Policy
University of North Georgia
Relevant Excerpt
A. Designated Public Forum: The following areas are designated by the University for Expressive Activity:
- Cumming Campus – the grass area near the South patio adjacent to the Nighthawk Statue
- Dahlonega Campus – the west side of the promenade nearest the Drill Field; however, in the event a University activity or campus event has been previously scheduled to occur in the vicinity of this area at such time as the Designated Public Forum may otherwise be used in accordance with this Policy, the patio space between Price Memorial Hall and Hansford Hall will serve as the Designated Public Forum for a time period beginning one hour before the commencement of such previously scheduled event through one hour after the conclusion of such previously scheduled event
- Gainesville Campus – the grass area stretching from the Student Center to the Strickland Building
- Oconee Campus – the grass area between the quad walkway and the Library wing of the Student Resource Center
- Blue Ridge Campus – the grass area in front of the sidewalk/plaza area in front of the building
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The University supports and encourages Expressive Activity. This Policy does not apply to University-sponsored activities or classroom instruction or participation; but rather establishes the content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent outside the classroom environment. Nothing in this policy permits the University to regulate the content of Expressive Activity protected by the First Amendment. The University maintains a position of neutrality as to the content of expression and any materials distributed on campus under this policy. ...
The following categories of activities or speech are not protected by law and are not permitted on campus: 1. Speech that incites imminent lawless action that is integral to the commission of a crime, 2. speech that triggers an automatic violent response (“fighting words”), 3. True threats, obscenity, child pornography, defamation, and 4. Certain types of commercial speech (generally, advertising that makes false claims, is fraudulent, or promotes the sale of illegal goods or services).
E. University Community Members
Traditional Public Forums, Designated Public Forums and Limited Public Forums are available to University Community Members and their Invited Guests for Expressive Activity as described below. Non-Public Forums are not available for Expressive Activity.
- Traditional Public Forums
The Traditional Public Forums on each campus are available to University Community Members and their Invited Guests for Spontaneous Expressive Activity, provided that such activity adheres to the time, place and manner restrictions in Section G of this Policy and involves less than 10 persons. In the event the Spontaneous Expressive Activity involves 10 or more persons, the activity must be moved to the Designated Public Forum but will not require reservation, as described below in section E.2.b.
2. Designated Public Forums
a. The Designated Public Forums on each campus are available to University Community Members and their Invited Guests for Expressive Activity between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (all times Eastern), Monday through Friday.
b. It is not necessary for University Community Members to request a reservation for use of the Designated Public Forum for the purposes of expression, unless groups of ten (10) or more persons wish to gather in the Designated Public Forum. Reservations for groups of ten (10) or more persons should be made in accordance with the the reservation process and any applicable requirements related to this policy. These reservation requirements will not apply in cases where the activity meets the definition of Spontaneous Expressive Activity.
c. Use of the Designated Public Forums must comply with the time, place and manner restrictions in Section G of this policy.
d. To ensure the safety of the participants and the University Community, the University reserves the right to move persons to other locations on campus or to discontinue the Expressive Activity, if the size of the group cannot be accommodated by the Designated Public Forum.
2. Limited Public Forums
RSOs, Faculty and Staff wishing to engage in Expressive Activity in those Limited Public Forums that utilize a reservation process, should follow the reservation process to use the space. Reservation requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, but in the event that multiple requests conflict, the use of the space will be reserved in a manner consistent with the reservation priorities detailed in the University Facilities Use Policy.