BCM25 Use of Outdoor Areas for Expressive Activities 

Purpose

A university is inherently a marketplace of ideas, and Penn State encourages and protects the rights of groups and individuals to express divergent viewpoints and opinions. At the same time, the University encourages persons participating in expressive activity to engage in respectful discourse, have concern for the safety of persons and property (as outlined in policy AD103 Visitors Rights and Responsibilities), and show consideration for University activities, even when perspectives differ.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to Penn State students, faculty, staff, and others who wish to engage in speaking, literature distribution, poster or sign displays, petitioning, and similar noncommercial activities (generally referred to as expressive activity) at outside locations on University grounds.

Locations for Expressive Activity

The following outdoor areas of the Penn State Behrend campus have been designated as areas suitable for expressive activity:

  • Burke Center: North lower-level courtyard between the two lower entrances
  • Reed Union Building: North of the building near benches between the Reed Union Building and Erie Hall
  • Break Wall area across from the south entrance to the Reed Union Building
  • Quad Area bordered by the Otto Behrend Science Building, Hammermill/Zurn, and the Nick Building.

Reservation of Location

Registered student organizations, or a group of ten or more University students, faculty members, or staff, may reserve any one of the identified locations for the use of the group, subject to the following:

  1. All locations may be reserved between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  2. A group may reserve only one location for each day.
  3. The same group may not reserve the same location for more than one day in each calendar week.
  4. Reservation must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of the proposed activity, or by the Friday preceding a Sunday or Monday.
  5. Reservations will be accepted in the order of request, unless considerations of format, size, and equitable distribution of locations require allocation of locations.
  6. Reservation is voluntary but encouraged to avoid conflicts and ensure availability.
  7. The group that has reserved the space has priority over non-reserved groups.
  8. Registered student organizations and University groups will have priority in the event of conflicting requests.
  9. Reservations are non-transferable.

Smaller groups and individuals are requested to voluntarily use the designated areas, but may use any outdoor area open to the public that can safely be used, so long as noise levels do not conflict with the conduct of University business and crowds do not impede egress and ingress to University facilities.

Non-University Groups

Reservations for non-University groups may be arranged through the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at Penn State Behrend, Glenhill Farmhouse. After applications are reviewed by appropriate personnel, including those designated with management or assignment responsibility for specific areas, actions relative to the approval are issued through the Operations Office. Reservation is voluntary but encouraged to avoid conflicts and ensure availability.

Requirements of Use

In addition to other University guidelines and rules that generally apply to students, faculty members staff, and visitors, the following requirements specifically apply to expressive activities at outdoor locations by individuals and groups:

  1. Use of sound amplification equipment is generally prohibited between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Amplification is permitted at the Old Main location at University Park between noon and 1:00 p.m.
  2. Groups and individuals are requested to voluntarily use the designated areas but may use any outdoor area open to the public that can safely be used so long as noise levels do not conflict with the conduct of University business and crowds do not impede egress and ingress to University facilities.
  3. Pedestrian or vehicular traffic must not be impeded in any manner.
  4. Disturbance of or interference with classrooms, offices, study facilities, libraries, or other University facilities and activities is prohibited.
  5. Safety precautions and protection of Penn State’s buildings and grounds (as outlined in AD57 General Regulations on Use of University Property) must be followed.
  6. Damage or destruction of property is prohibited. Should damage, destruction, or clean-up charges/cost occur, the organization, department, or individual who uses the space will be responsible for any and all expenses.
  7. Flashing or rotating lights and illuminated signs may not be used.
  8. Signs, placards, posters, banners, photographs, and the like shall not be affixed in any manner to University grounds and property, including but not limited to buildings, poles, gates, fences, trees, or other vegetation. All such materials must be removed at the conclusion of each day's use. Signs cannot obstruct the flow of traffic.
  9. Papers, pamphlets, and similar material must be distributed in person by the sponsoring organization.
  10. Placing or erecting structures of any size or material is prohibited. These structures will be removed, and costs could be incurred.
  11. Tables must be staffed by the sponsoring organization and/or group and may be used only in those areas designated for expressive activity. The use of tables must be stipulated at the time of reservation. The name of the sponsoring organization or group must be displayed at the table(s).

Residence Hall Areas

Grounds adjoining University residence halls are reserved for use exclusively by occupants of the residence halls. Requirements for use of these areas are issued by the Directors of Student Affairs and Housing and Food Services at Penn State Behrend.

Further Information

Please reference AD51 Use of Outdoor Areas for Expressive Activities.

October 26, 2015
Revised: January 24, 2025