Responsible Executive
- Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Review Cycle
- May 2026; 3 Years
References
Purpose and Scope
This policy governs the conduct of students, faculty, all other staff, licensees, invitees and all other persons, whether or not their presence is authorized, upon the campus of Tompkins Cortland Community College. They also apply to the same individuals with respect to any other premises or property, under the control of the College, and that are used in teaching, research, administrative service, cultural, recreational, athletic or other programs and activities.
Policy Statement
The college promotes free speech and discussion because of the tremendous benefits this freedom confers on our students’ education. Tompkins Cortland Community College is also obligated to both observe the protections for speech provided by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 8 of the New York Constitution and support protections offered by The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and other federal, state and local civil rights laws and regulations. However, the college must continue to function if the search for knowledge and truth is to be meaningful.
An academic institution cannot function properly in its search for knowledge and truth in an atmosphere that is not open. Therefore, no person, individually, or in concert with others, will engage in activity that interferes with the operations of the college or its affiliate organizations, including:
willfully or recklessly cause injury to another person, or create a significant risk of doing so, nor threaten to do so;
physically restrain or detain any other person;
remove anyone from any place where he or she is authorized to remain;
willfully or recklessly damage or destroy property of the campus or property under its care, nor create a significant risk of doing so;
remove property of the campus or property under its care without authorization;
use campus property or property in the campus’s care without authorization;
enter into any private office {of an administrative officer, member of the faculty or staff member} without implied or explicit permission;
enter into and remain in any campus building or facility in such manner as to obstruct its authorized use;
remain in any building or facility after it is closed without authorization;
refuse to leave a campus building or facility after being required to do so by an authorized personnel or police authority;
obstruct the free movement of people and vehicles in any place to which this policy applies;
deliberately disrupt or prevent the peaceful and orderly conduct of college or affiliated organizations’ business;
deliberately disrupt or prevent the freedom of any person to express their views, including invited speakers;
excepting law enforcement officers, knowingly have in their possession upon the premises to which this policy applies, any firearm or weapon without the written authorization of the Director of Campus Police, whether or not a license to possess the weapon has been issued to the person;
willfully incite others to commit immediate acts of violence or immediate acts of destruction of property, or
Take any action, create or participate in the creation of any situation, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of anyone for the initiation into or affiliation with any organization.
Violations
The penalty for violations of these rules shall include the ejection of a violator from the College and its property. Student or employee (including faculty) violations will be governed by the Code of Conduct or applicable employee disciplinary procedures and may include suspension, termination, expulsion, or other appropriate disciplinary action. An organization which authorizes such conduct by its members shall be subject to rescission of permission to operate on campus property.
Freedom of Speech and Assembly
No person shall be subject to any limitation or penalty for expressing their views or for assembling with others for such purpose so long as there is no violation of the above rules. Demonstrations may take place between the hours of 9:00 am and the close of normal College hours of operation; be located in designated demonstration locations: 1 - north end main building parking south of lot 3 and the adjoining grassy knoll; 2 - grassy area immediately south of cafeteria and east of student center); and be of a manner that does not disrupt normal College operations; impede vehicle or pedestrian traffic; prevent access to buildings, offices or facilities; or pose a reasonable threat of harm to persons or property. Peaceful picketing and other orderly demonstrations in such designated areas of the campus are not subject to interference providing there is no violation of the above rules.
Additional Processes and Procedures
The Board of Trustees of Tompkins Cortland Community College authorizes the president of the college, or their delegate(s), to develop additional reasonable processes and procedures to enforce this policy.
Resolution
2024-25-53
History
6/19/69 – 4/24/86; 2/16/17; 7/17/2024 (2023-2024-72)
Policy Reference Code
SA-01-BOT