Public Events Policy: Security

Relevant Excerpt

4.8.1. WMU will, at its own cost, provide DPS security services for outside events held on campus. Subject to appeal, WMU will determine how many officers should be present for a scheduled event to maintain campus safety and security. Event organizers may request security at an event, but it is not required.
4.8.2. If, based on the factors stated below, DPS, in consultation with the Office of the President, and the Office of General Counsel, believes that officers beyond those that would otherwise be on duty are necessary to ensure the safety and security of the Campus Community, the event sponsor will be responsible for paying the difference in security costs.
4.8.3. WMU may require event sponsors or organizers to reimburse the University for all security costs if the event is fraudulently or unreasonably misrepresented on the event registration form or other communication and the lack of accuracy leads to WMU incurring unexpected security costs due to the actual nature of the Use.
4.8.4. Factors for Assessing Security Costs. In determining the amount of such costs to be charged to the event sponsor, the University will consider only the following content-neutral, objective criteria:

• 4.8.4.1. a reasonable estimate of the number of anticipated attendees (events with over 500 expected participants will likely have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.2. expected proportion of WMU community program participants/attendees (events with a higher proportion of non WMU Community participants will likely have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.3. venue in which the event is to take place (venues that are harder to secure or that could suffer greater property damage will likely have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.4. the number of event staff present (events with a higher number of their own staff present may have lower security costs);
• 4.8.4.5. time of day, day of the week, and date on which the event is to take place (events scheduled on weekend evenings will likely have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.6. planned duration of the event;
• 4.8.4.7. whether tickets are required for attendance, the proceeds for which might be used to defray security costs;
• 4.8.4.8. amount of cash anticipated to be present at the event (events with significant amounts of cash on hand will likely have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.9. whether alcohol will be served (events where alcohol is served may have higher security costs);
• 4.8.4.10. the general format of the event, e.g., whether it a rally vs. a panel discussion (events similar to a rally will likely have higher security costs than events similar to a lecture or panel discussion);
• 4.8.4.11. confirmed information that violence surrounding the same event with the same participants at another location(s) occurred within the last six months will likely lead to higher security costs;
• 4.8.4.12. whether, based on evidence from a similar, past event at another location(s), speech is reasonably likely to incite others to create an immediate, clear, and present danger of the commission of violence or unlawful acts at WMU will likely lead to higher security costs.

4.8.5. Written Assessment. If security costs are assessed, DPS will provide the event sponsor or organizer a written summary of its review of criteria and costs and an explanation for the determination. DPS will provide this explanation in a timely manner so the event sponsor may take advantage of the appeal process.