The University's Campus Environment Team has developed revisions
to the University policy concerning areas for expressive activities at University
Park such as public rallies, and in particular it includes a number of additional
areas of campus in the new policy.
The modest changes provide for areas that can accommodate larger crowds, moves two traditional locations away from the front doors of buildings used as classrooms and spreads out the approved areas to new sections of the University Park campus.
Additional locations will be developed in the future, including an area planned around the Hetzel Union Building during the next school year that will accommodate a number of public speakers and rallies at the same time.
"Working with student leaders, faculty, campus ministers and our own legal advisers we have developed a policy that we think will enhance speech opportunities while limiting disruption to class activities," said Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity and the chair of the Campus Environment Team.
Penn State has championed the importance of freedom of expression ever since the U.S. Supreme Court developed the so-called "time, place and manner" guidelines that are used throughout the nation today, according to Jones. This latest revision to our policy builds on that tradition.
"The two biggest concerns we have had in recent years is that students exiting buildings have been slowed down by large crowds outside of them and classes inside one of those buildings, Willard, have been interrupted by the noise outside their windows, according to faculty," Jones said. "We also have needed to catch up with some of the construction projects completed on campus in recent years, such as the new Palmer Museum of Art, which now provides us the opportunity to identify some additional locations that have high pedestrian traffic on them," he said.
Among the locations listed as appropriate for public events include the front patio area of Old Main because it is one of the most recognizable locations of the University and because it can accommodate large audiences.
Also included in the policy are the Allen Street gate at the foot of the mall on campus; Palmer Museum of Art; Willard Building in the patio area between Willard and the Obelisk; the northwest corner of Shortlidge Road and College Avenue; Fisher Plaza; and the Pattee Library Mall entrance plaza.
"The University is committed to providing areas that can be used for a wide variety of expressive activities," said Jones.
"This alteration to the policy insures that the areas we have designated at Penn State are very visible. The main changes in the policy move some events, which sometimes can draw hundreds of people, away from the main stairways into Willard Building and Schwab Auditorium. We have had a problem with traffic flow for classes in and out of those buildings during large outside events on their steps and the changes help us correct that problem."
"Both Willard and Schwab are used during the day primarily as classrooms and the front of those buildings have little space for crowds to gather. We need to make sure that people can get in and out of the buildings and so have moved the areas for rallies and speakers to nearby locations," Jones said. The Willard location has been moved about 20 yards to the side of the main doors and is now in an area where several major sidewalks intersect along the Allen Street mall and there are park benches at the site.
As in the past, registered student organizations should go through the Office of Student Affairs, 225 HUB, to reserve space for their events. Non-University groups may schedule their event through the University Relations Office in 309 Old Main. Student organizations will have first priority.
"In the next school year, as renovation and additions to the HUB are completed, we have planned for a number of outside locations that will be specifically designed for public debate, speeches, gatherings and rallies," said Bill Asbury, vice president for Student Affairs. "The design of the area is intended to accommodate several such events taking place around the HUB at the same time, and will be modeled after the area of Hyde Park in London that has been used for such expressive activities for generations."
"As the campus continues to grow, new construction takes place, and student interest is expressed, we will plan to develop additional locations around campus to promote public debate," Jones said. "One of the most valuable things we can have our students leave here with upon graduation is the understanding that they should not be afraid to speak out and join in the conversations and debates that will improve society and our country in the future."
The policy applies to Penn State students, faculty, staff and others who wish to engage in public speaking, literature distribution, poster or sign displays, petitioning and similar noncommercial activities at outdoor locations on University property. Its intent is similar to policies found at most colleges, universities, cities and municipalities and closely follows guidelines established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1982.
In that ruling the court said that institutions have the right to determine the reasonable time, place and manner of speech activities as long as ample alternative opportunities are available for communication.
Students, faculty and others with suggestions for additional public speaking
areas to be considered in the future are welcome to send comments via
e-mail to: REPLY@PSU.EDU. This information
will be used by the team to further develop the policy as new buildings
are constructed and as campus pedestrian traffic patterns change.
"Penn State is absolutely committed to providing the broadest opportunities for speech, rallies and other public events and we hope students, and other visitors, take advantage of the expansion of these opportunities," Jones said.
Complete details of the policy can be found on the Web at http://guru.psu.edu/policies/POL_MENU.html.