SECTION GE.2

COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
COMMUNITY USE OF COLLEGE DISTRICT FACILITIES
FREE EXPRESSION AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Procedure

FREE EXPRESSION AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PROVISIONS

Navarro College recognizes and supports the right of free expression and public assembly. This procedure informs members of the college community and the public about the guidelines for engaging in constitutionally protected speech and expression at Navarro College. It is intended to ensure the primary educational purpose of the college, which includes promoting debate and the sharing of information.

The College will protect the rights of freedom of speech, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Navarro College maintains the right to regulate reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent.

The Definition of antisemitism as adopted by the State of Texas in Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code, is provided as follows:  "Antisemitism" means a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.

Acts of antisemitism, disruption to the normal operations of the college (including classes and college business), harassment, or infringement upon the rights of others will not be tolerated. Faculty, staff, and students engaging in disruptive or harassing activities may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion or dismissal. Participants in disruptive activities may also face criminal charges.

 

AREAS DESIGNATED FOR FREE SPEECH RESERVATIONS

The areas listed below are considered programmable space and are available on a first-come first-serve basis; however, college-sponsored events have first priority on the use of Navarro College grounds. Typically, use of the space will be assigned to the person or organization that requests the area first. Therefore, reservations should be made at least five (5) business days in advance of the event for scheduling purposes.

 NAVARRO COLLEGE - CORSICANA

1. Lawn area south of the Kenneth P. Walker Dining Hall.
2. Lawn area north of Gibson Hall (across the street).
3. Lawn area west of Caston Fine Arts Center (across the street).

 

NAVARRO COLLEGE - MEXIA

1. Lawn area on the west central side of the south parking lot near the oak tree seating area.

 

 NAVARRO COLLEGE - MIDLOTHIAN

1. Center of patio on the eastern side of the building leaving free access to and from the Building 1 through the doors located at either end of the patio area.

 

 NAVARRO COLLEGE - WAXAHACHIE

1. Lawn area immediately east of the Administration Building
2. Lawn area between WAXB & WAXC

 

 A free speech area may be reserved and made available for use between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., for a total of two (2) business days with no more than two (2) consecutive days in a calendar month if there are no scheduling conflicts and if space is available. If a specific violation of a significant college interest or college procedure violation occurs, the right to use of the free speech designated area will be revoked (e.g., disruptive event or invasion of others’ rights).

Individuals or groups wishing to use free speech areas should request use of the space through the Vice President of Student Success on the Corsicana campus or the Dean’s office at other locations. The “Free Speech and Public Assembly Organized Expression” activity form should be completed five (5) days prior to the proposed event. The college reserves the right to relocate any assembly at any time to ensure that the activity does not interfere with the normal operation of the college or interfere with the rights of others.

 

SPEAKERS

In view of the desire of the College to promote free speech, the free speech areas are open to speakers for whom official arrangements to speak have been made with the College, following the provisions of this procedure.

 

THE RIGHT TO DISSENT

The right to dissent is the complement of the right to speak, but these rights need not occupy the same forum at the same time. The speaker is entitled to communicate his/her message to the audience during his/her allotted time, and the audience is entitled to hear the message and see the speaker during that time. A dissenter must not substantially interfere with the speaker’s ability to communicate or the audience’s ability to hear and see the speaker. Likewise, the audience must respect the right to dissent.

 

PICKETING, SOLICITATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE

Picketing in an orderly manner or distributing literature within the free speech areas is acceptable with the appropriate activity form. Picketing is not permitted inside College buildings or outside the free speech area. Non-commercial literature may be distributed only in the free speech areas.

 

POSTED AND PRINTED MATERIALS INCLUDING POSTERS/FLYERS

No signs, posters, or advertisements shall be nailed, tied, hung, written, or otherwise affixed to any trees, bushes, buildings, walkways, posts, fences, or other college property. Approved materials may only be placed on designated bulletin boards.  They must not cover previously posted material and should not extend beyond the edges of the bulletin board. Printed materials must not exceed an overall size of 8½” x 11”.

General regulations for the posting of flyers or posters.  Advertisements may be placed on all bulletin boards throughout the campus and other Navarro College locations.

1. Flyer must be typed or produced on a computer. No handwritten posters/flyers are allowed except posters/flyers created for athletic spirit or Homecoming event.
2. Only one Navarro College or non-college posters/flyers will be approved and stamped by the Vice President of Student Success office, Student Activities office, or location deans.
3. If the Navarro College Marketing Department creates the poster/flyer no additional approval or stamp is needed.
4. The individual requesting to have something posted will be responsible for duplicating the approved flyer.

5. Include the following: Event details (date/time/location) and contact information e-mail address or a QR code. Include a deadline if applicable.

a) Review date/time/location for conflict with any planned Navarro College activity.
6. The Navarro College non-discrimination clause must be on all college posters/flyers.
7. Ensure correct spelling/grammar; no profanity or antisemitism as well as references to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or related activities.
8. Approved designated areas – bulletin boards, stairwells, metal around windows, and brick surfaces. Nothing should be posted on painted or stained walls/doors.
9. Secure with scotch tape at each corner of the poster/flyer. This helps it not to curl; one poster per location. All Navarro College staff members are responsible for retyping any flyers that are barely adhered to or that are torn.
10. No personal student postings advertising personal items for sale/rent, roommate requests, babysitting, etc.
11. Be respectful; do not remove or deface other postings. Do not post over other postings.
12. Navarro College is not responsible for any items that are torn down or If a person(s) is found responsible for defacing a poster/flyer all those participating individuals will be subject to discipline.
13. All Navarro College staff members are responsible for monitoring and promptly removing posters/flyers immediately after the event concludes.
14. Navarro College Marketing and Student Services will be responsible for monitoring and removing posters/flyers not approved or past the event dates on an ongoing basis.

 

SYMBOLIC PROTEST

During a presentation, individuals are permitted to display signs, gesture, wear symbolic clothing or engage in silent protest, provided that such actions do not disrupt the proceedings or impede access.  Disruptive activities include those that block the audience’s view, distract from the presentation, incite immediate breach of peace (including acts of antisemitism), threaten the welfare of others, or violate any college regulations or local, state, or federal laws.

 

MARCHES, PARADES, PROTEST, RALLY

Engaging in peaceful demonstrations (including, but not limited to Marches, Parades, Protest, and Rally) is permitted on Navarro College property. The appropriate activity form should be completed for each campus or location in order to prepare for and facilitate the safety of participants and bystanders. The activity form should outline expected attendance and the planned march/parade route.  Protest (See Symbolic Protest above) and Rally locations must follow the guidelines regarding specified Areas Designated for Free Speech Reservations.  The activity form should be submitted at least five (5) business days in advance of the event. 

Disruptive conduct will not be permitted and at no time should any of these expressive activities cross thoroughfares, slow or stop traffic.  The following applies to specific guidelines for such activity. 

1. Handouts, giveaway items, hard candy, and other parade tokens may be handed out as a person walks in the parade/march.
2. Absolutely nothing can be thrown from vehicles or decorated
3. A parade participant, whether he or she is operating a motor vehicle, riding in or on a parade unit, or walking/marching, may not possess, transport, consume, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at any time immediately before or during the parade.

 

See the area below regarding Conduct and Manner of Free Speech and Public Assembly.

 

VOLUME

The volume of any sound equipment may not exceed 75 decibels (dBA) when measured at a distance of 50 feet from the source of amplification.  This ensures that the sound does not interfere with academic activities or other programs occurring in nearby buildings.

 

CONDUCT AND MANNER OF FREE SPEECH AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Those who schedule and/or participate in speech, expression, solicitation or public assembly activities on Navarro College property must not:

  • Threaten, intimidate, or harass passersby.
  • Interfere with, impede, or cause blockage of the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
  • Commit any act likely to create an imminent safety or health hazard.
  • Interfere with or disrupt any other lawful activity by anyone in the same general location at the same time.
  • Post materials on any walls, windows, doors, sidewalks, trees, light poles, etc., or on any other college equipment except in designated posting areas.
  • Conduct speech that includes antisemitic remarks, or inflammatory language, which are those words that by their very utterance tend to incite an immediate breach of peace.
  • Engage in any other speech or action that is not allowed by law.

 

EXPECTATIONS DURING FREE SPEECH AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Additionally, those involved in any form of free expression on Navarro College property must adhere to the following restrictions:

  • Public speech that is likely to incite or produce imminent lawless action or that is, under the current legal standards, either defamatory or obscene, is prohibited.
  • In accordance with the Texas Education Code, it is unlawful for any person on any property either owned or controlled by the college to refuse to identify him/herself to a college official in response to a request. A person may identify him/herself by presenting a student or faculty/staff ID card or driver’s license or some other form of government-issued identification.
  • Individuals who damage or destroy college property shall be held responsible for such damage or destruction. This includes the College lawns, shrubs, and trees.
  • A request for use of free speech areas may be denied if a college official determines that the proposed speech/activity will constitute a clear and present danger to the college’s orderly operation.

 

All applicable college policies and regulations, state and federal laws and municipal ordinances should be followed when engaging in activities on Navarro College property. Failure to do so may result in immediate removal from College property and any other appropriate action by College officials and/or Navarro College Department of Public Safety.

 

CAMPING

Navarro College upholds a commitment to fostering a clean, aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and safe environment conducive to its work, educational, and living endeavors. In alignment with this commitment, camping activities are strictly prohibited on Navarro College property.

Camping, as defined by the institution, encompasses various activities including sleeping outdoors with or without camping equipment such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, bedding, hammocks, or cooking gear. Additionally, setting up temporary or permanent sleeping or cooking spaces outdoors, establishing living quarters beyond Navarro College housing, or sleeping in or under parked vehicles are considered violations of this policy. 

This applies to all employees, students, College partners, contractors, and visitors. 

Camping is not permitted on Navarro College property (this includes all outdoor areas owned, leased, or controlled by Navarro College, and all buildings or permanent structures owned by Navarro College) except as permitted below and with the approval of the Vice President of Student Success, Location Deans, or their designee and may be subject to written request five (5) business days in advance.

1. Artists or actors: Camping may be permitted for individuals involved in college-authorized performances that necessitate such actions as part of the artistic production, limited to the duration of their scheduled performance or campus activity. Written notification, five (5) days in advance, is required.
2. Student Activities: Corsicana Campus and Location Administration are committed to an effective Student Life program and are supportive of student clubs and their role in a community c Camping may be allowed as part of student activities conducted in accordance with College regulations, encompassing events for clubs, organizations, sports events, and all Navarro College partners. Ideas and club opportunities may be discussed with the Student Life Office on the Corsicana campus, Location Deans, or their designees. 
3. Extraordinary circumstances: In exceptional situations, with a written request, camping may be approved with consent from designated College officials by the Vice President of Student Success, Location Deans, or their designee. Such circumstances could be subject to a five (5) business day advance notice requirement.

 

 

Approved: 2024
Updated: 
Reviewed: