Demonstration Guidelines
At Portland State University, we strive to provide out students, staff, and faculty a place that is conductive to the needs of everyone. It is one of the goals of the University to allow its students the ability to experience the open communication of ideas by putting them in contact with a varied and uncensored range of public forums and demonstrations. We feel that the free exchange of those diverse ideas, to include those that are uncommon, upsetting, and sometimes offensive is vital to the continuing goals of the University. With this in mind, the following guidelines have been established to permit this free exchange of often diverse ideas to continue.
- Promoting Free Expression
- Visitors to Portland State
Visitors to the Portland State University campus must obey all applicable federal and state laws, as well as Oregon University System and Portland State University rules and policies. Anyone choosing to violate these rules, and/or policies may be cited for criminal trespass and subject to prosecution for any illegal behavior committed while on the University grounds.Faculty, staff, and students may also face disciplinary sanctions imposed by the University should they ignore these standards of conduct. Students are subject to the requirements set forth in the student conduct code, and (OAR 577-031-0135). Faculty and staff are subject to (OAR 577-041-0005), as well as all University policies on progressive discipline. Participants not affiliated with Portland State University should conduct themselves as guests and may be asked to leave the campus if their conduct is, in the judgment of University officials, disruptive to the learning environment or otherwise unsatisfactory.
Procedures have been established by Portland State University, in keeping with the University's goals, that promote the free expression of individual ideas through the reservation of open spaces and other facilities for this purpose. It is the responsibility of the person or group needing space to make the reservations. It is also the responsibility of those involved to determine how, within University guidelines, the facility being reserved is used and supervise such use.
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Placards
Placards used by demonstrators, whether inside or outside of PSU building, may be made of poster board or similar material, by not out of material made of hard substance. Placards may not be carried on sticks or any hard-substance handles. Placards may be carried or worn on the person, by not tracked or nailed to trees, lamp posts, walls, or windows of the buildings surrounding the demonstration. No placards may be placed in any way that can or will create a visual obstruction. All placards can remain in place for the duration of the demonstration but must be promptly removed upon event termination. -
Loudspeakers
No loudspeakers or other amplifying equipment is permitted inside or outside the University buildings. Participants are prohibited from using hand-held megaphones or other electrically amplified devices without prior written approval from the Office of Student Affairs and/or the City of Portland. Without proof that approval for such devices has been granted, all such items can and will be confiscated. The noise levels of all gatherings should not be so loud as to prevent office workers from carrying on their normal business or interfere with classes that meet in surrounding buildings and/or classrooms. -
To Reserve Space at Portland State University
Any individual or group wishing to reserve space within a Portland State University Building for demonstration or public forum purposes may do so by contacting Smith Memorial Center Scheduling staff, 503-725-2663.
