2019-2020 Catalog and Student Handbook

Group Assemblies for the Purpose of Group Expression On or Adjacent to Marietta College Property (2/20/19)

The first purpose of the policy outlined below is to establish a clear position by the College on how we will approve, prepare for, and manage organized group assemblies for the purpose of group expression on premises owned by Marietta College. The second purpose of this policy is to outline the College’s approach to preparing for organized group assemblies held for the purpose of group expression at locations adjacent to Marietta College property (when we become aware of such assemblies in advance) and also our management of the College’s interests during the active of phase of such group assemblies. Finally, the third purpose of this policy is to address how we will respond to spontaneous group assemblies that occur on or adjacent to Marietta College property.

The primary goals of the procedures laid out below for the effective management of group assemblies held for the purpose of group expression on or adjacent to Marietta College property are as follows: upholding our mission, core values, and standards of conduct, while minimizing the likelihood of injury to people, curtailing the possibility of damage to property, and avoiding disruptions to normal campus operations.

The College’s interpretation of this policy and our execution of the associated procedures will be informed by the Association of Governing Boards’ publication regarding freedom of speech on college and university campuses.

For the purposes of the policy and procedure outlined below, a group assembly for the purpose of group expression is defined as an activity or event that has as its primary purpose the communication and expression of viewpoints and/or experiences of individuals from a specific identity group or groups within our society.

Policy

  1. Organized Group Assemblies that Take Place on Marietta College Property

    We recognize that organized group assemblies for the purpose of group expression are an important part of the student experience at Marietta College, especially in terms of our mission and our core values of community, leadership, diversity, service, and the liberal arts. Therefore, we must insure that the ability to organize group assemblies is available to our, while also managing the safety of persons and property and limiting disruptions to normal campus operations.

    Any group assembly for the purpose of group expression that is organized in advance by a student or a group of students must be sponsored by a registered Marietta College student organization and approved through the Office of Campus Involvement, in accordance with the relevant event approval requirements. No other office on campus is authorized to approve an organized group assembly on Marietta College property at the request of an individual student or group of students.

    Any Marietta College administrative unit or any of its employees can organize a group assembly for the purpose of group expression on Marietta College property. Request for approval of such events should be made to the Cabinet officer responsible for the administrative unit making the request.

    Organized group assemblies on Marietta College property that are not organized by a registered Marietta College student organization or a Marietta College administrative unit will be permitted only if they are approved in advance by the appropriate College authority.

    Any outside individual or entity wishing to organize a group assembly on Marietta College property may do so by partnering with a registered student organization, and the registered student organization will assume sole and full responsibility for the entire group assembly, from garnering approval to planning and execution to any necessary clean-up following the event.

    Any outside individual or entity wishing to organize a group assembly for the purpose of group expression on Marietta College property may also do so by partnering with a Marietta College administrative unit. That administrative unit will then assume sole and full responsibility for the entire group assembly, from garnering approval to planning and execution to any necessary clean-up following the event.

    Any outside individual or entity wishing to organize a group assembly for the purpose of group expression on Marietta College property may also do so by submitting their request to the Office of the President.

    During the active phase of any organized group assembly, the College must be prepared to effectively manage the safety of individuals and property. We must also insure that members of our campus community -- be they students, employees, or guests -- uphold our mission and core values as reflected in our standards of conduct. For students, these standards of conduct are addressed in the Student Handbook and include (but are not limited to) disruptive behavior, vandalism, threatening behaviors, bullying, and discriminatory harassment. For faculty, standards of conduct associated with academic freedom and academic responsibility can be found in the Faculty Manual, which adheres to the AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles, their 1970 Interpretive Comments, and the current edition of their Policy Documents and Reports. The Employee Handbook lays out expectations of conduct for all Marietta College employees. Guests of Marietta College, including contracted vendors, will uphold the same standards of conduct as Marietta College students and employees.

  2. Organized Group Assemblies at Locations Adjacent to Marietta College Property

    We recognize the possibility that organized group assemblies may take place at locations adjacent to Marietta College property. This includes (but is not limited to) public thoroughfares and sidewalks that run next to and through the main parts of campus. During the active phase of such group assemblies, the College must be prepared to effectively manage the safety of individuals and property located on Marietta College premises. We must also insure that members of our campus community -- be they students, employees, or guests -- uphold our mission and core values as reflected in our standards of conduct. For students, these standards of conduct are addressed in the Student Handbook and include (but are not limited to) disruptive behavior, vandalism, threatening behaviors, bullying, and discriminatory harassment. For faculty, standards of conduct associated with academic freedom and academic responsibility can be found in the Faculty Manual, which adheres to the AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles and 1970 Interpretive Comments. The Employee Handbook lays out expectations of conduct for all Marietta College employees. Guests of Marietta College, including contracted vendors, will uphold the same standards of conduct as Marietta College students and employees.

  3. Spontaneous Group Assemblies that Occur on or Adjacent to College Property

    We recognize the possibility that spontaneous group assemblies may take place at locations on or adjacent to Marietta College property. The latter includes (but is not limited to) public thoroughfares and sidewalks that run next to and through the main parts of campus. During the active phase of such group assemblies, the College must be prepared to effectively manage the safety of individuals and property located on Marietta College premises. We must also insure that members of our campus community -- be they students, employees, or guests -- uphold our mission and core values as reflected in our standards of conduct. For students, these standards of conduct are addressed in the Student Handbook and include (but are not limited to) disruptive behavior, vandalism, threatening behaviors, bullying, and discriminatory harassment. For faculty, standards of conduct associated with academic freedom and academic responsibility can be found in the Faculty Manual, which adheres to the AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles and 1970 Interpretive Comments. The Employee Handbook lays out expectations of conduct for all Marietta College employees. Guests of Marietta College, including contracted vendors, will uphold the same standards of conduct as Marietta College students and employees.

Procedure:

  1. Approval of Organized Group Assemblies on College Property

    Any registered student organization wishing to sponsor an organized group assembly for the purpose of group expression on Marietta College property must complete an event approval application through the Office of Campus Involvement and receive approval for the event before it can be publicized.

    Any Marietta College administrative unit or any of its members wishing to organize a group assembly for the purpose of group expression must notify the Cabinet officer responsible for that administrative unit. The Cabinet officer will then share that information with the President and other Cabinet officers for informational purposes. The organizing administrative unit must also notify the Marietta College Police Department, which will spearhead appropriate planning for parking, traffic, transportation, access, and public safety.

    Any outside individual or entity wishing to organize a group assembly for the purpose of group expression on Marietta College property without partnering with a registered student organization or administrative unit on campus must submit their request to the Office of the President. In consultation with the Cabinet, the President will either approve or reject the request. If the request is approved, the organizing individual or group must collaborate with the Marietta College Police Department and other administrative units on campus to insure appropriate planning for effective event delivery, including (but not limited to) parking, traffic, transportation, access, and public safety.

  2. Management of Organized Group Assemblies on Marietta College Property

    When the Office of Campus Involvement, a Cabinet officer, or the President approves a request for an organized group assembly on Marietta College property, immediate notice will be given to the Vice-President for Student Life and the Marietta College Police Department. The Vice-President for Student Life or an appropriate designee will then convene the Threat Assessment Team so that appropriate safety planning can be done. This planning process will also address the ways in which the College intends to uphold its mission, core values, and standards of conduct during the active phase of the organized group assembly.

  3. Management of Organized Group Assemblies Adjacent to Marietta College Property
    1. The College Has Prior Knowledge of the Organized Group Assembly:

      In the event that a student or employee of Marietta College receives information regarding a planned organized group assembly at a location adjacent to Marietta College property, it is requested that such information be shared immediately with the Vice-President for Student Life and/or other appropriate staff member in the Office of Student Life, including the Marietta College Police Department. The Vice-President for Student Life or an appropriate designee will then convene the Threat Assessment Team so that appropriate safety planning can be done. This planning process will also address the ways in which the College intends to uphold its mission, core values, and standards of conduct during the active phase of the organized group assembly.

    2. The College Has No Prior Knowledge of the Organized Group Assembly:

      In the event that there is an active organized group assembly taking place at a location adjacent to Marietta College property and there is no visible presence of Marietta College personnel in the area of the assembly, members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately contact the Marietta College Police Department at 740-376-3333 to inform them of the group assembly activity. The Chief of MCPD or an appropriate designee will immediately consult with the Vice-President of Student Life or an appropriate designee to assess any possible risks to the safety of persons and property and to develop an appropriate safety management plan as quickly as possible. This planning process will also address the ways in which the College intends to uphold its mission, core values, and standards of conduct during the active phase of the organized group assembly.

  4. Management of Spontaneous Group Assemblies on or Adjacent to College Property

    In the event that there is a spontaneous group assembly taking place on or adjacent to Marietta College property, members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately contact the Marietta College Police Department at 740-376-3333 to inform them of said activity. The Chief of MCPD or an appropriate designee will immediately consult with the Vice-President of Student Life or an appropriate designee to assess any possible risks to the safety of persons and property and to develop an appropriate safety management plan as quickly as possible. This planning process will also address the ways in which the College intends to uphold its mission, core values, and standards of conduct during the active phase of the spontaneous group assembly.