Public Expression Policy

Individuals seeking to engage in public expression

Definition of public expression

Freedom of expression is encouraged at Messiah University. In order to ensure an atmosphere in which open communication can safely occur without disrupting the academic mission or the daily functions of the University, this policy shall govern all forms of public expression activity on Messiah University property, defined for this purpose as including activities such as, but not limited to: campus meetings and forums; public assembly and demonstrations; public speeches; and the distribution and/or posting of written materials or other forms of communication carried out in connection with these activities.

Note: These policies and guidelines refer to non‐educational activities on university property and not to the conduct of academic or co‐curricular activities that are governed by their own university policies and standards. These policies do not refer to other officially approved university events that must follow established campus event protocols.

Definition of members of the campus community

For the purpose of this policy, “members of the campus community” are defined as currently enrolled students and currently employed members of the faculty, administration and staff.

Definition of visitors

Individuals who do not belong to any of the above identified groups are considered campus visitors.

Public expression by members of the campus community

Messiah University affords all members of the campus community with substantial privileges with respect to freedom of public expression on Messiah University property. As a private university, this privilege, however, is subject to reasonable restrictions and regulations of time, place and manner as described below, so that the activities do not intrude upon or interfere with the academic mission and daily functions of the University, or with the safety and rights of other members of the on‐campus university community as defined by university policies.

As an educational community, Messiah encourages respectful expression and exchange of a variety of viewpoints and perspectives. It is important to note, however, that the university’s permission for the public expression of individual students’ and employees’ viewpoints and perspectives, does not indicate the university’s endorsement or agreement with the ideas expressed. 

Procedures for public expression activities by members of the campus community

1. Members of the campus community must apply to the Office of the Dean of Students at least five (5) business days prior to their requested date of activity. Office hours are between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The application form is available online at https://www.messiah.edu/pubXform.
2. Once the form is received by the dean of students, she/he will process the application with the appropriate/relevant campus leadership, based on factors including, whether or not the application is from a student or employee, specifics of the public expression requested, etc.

3. The dean of students has two (2) business days in which to act on a request and communicate a decision to the person or organization making the request. Decisions will take into account both any special circumstances that may relate to university activities and/or the burden the requested activity may place on the university’s safety and administrative staffs.

Time, place and manner protocols for public expression activities by members of the campus community

1. Public expression activities are authorized to occur at one or more of the following locations as assigned by the dean of students (dependent on availability):

         Outdoor locations

• Larsen Student Union patio area
• Brick courtyard area outside of Kline, Jordan and Frey Halls

        Indoor locations

• Designated common area inside the Larsen Student Union
• Eisenhower Campus Center Commons (lobby outside of the Falcon, Career Center and Campus Store)
• Note: if an indoor location is approved by the Dean of Students Office, the event organizer must then reserve the space through the Office of Conference and Event Services.

2. Public expression events are authorized to occur from Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This timeframe is when the university is fully staffed and has the most resources to support public expression events. It is also when there is the highest volume of employees and students on campus.
3. As a general practice, public expression events will not be approved during finals week, campus visit days (i.e., open houses, accepted student preview days, etc.), Homecoming Weekend, Commencement Weekend, or other major campus events that require a significant investment of the university’s personnel and resources.
4. Similar to other student events, public expression events should be limited in duration (recommended maximum length of 2-3 hours), and sequential, multi-day events will not be approved. Neither will more than one public expression event be approved for the same day.

5. The total number of people engaging in public expression activities at any one location on campus may be limited by the dean of students according to concerns related to space capacity, safety or potential disruption of the university’s other daily activities.
6. The number of occasions on which specific individuals or groups will be permitted to engage in public expression activities will be limited to two (2) times per year (once a semester) during an academic year. Student Success and Engagement has additional discretion to approve or not approve events based on redundancy of previous events, topics, the number of previous events in the semester, etc.

7. The purpose of the public expression event should align with the university’s mission and student code of conduct. While the university does not approve public expression events that have the expressed purpose of attempting to change or advocate against the university’s standards—the university does provide students with a representative governance path if they would like to seek to change the code of conduct or other aspects of university life.

8. Consistent with the university’s off-campus media policies, public expression event organizers are not authorized to invite coverage by off-campus media without first contacting/processing with Messiah’s Office of Marketing and Communications. However, event organizers may work directly with the student media hub, the Pulse, and/or the campus television station, YBTV.

9. Any written material, signs, placards, banners, or slogans on clothing that are displayed must be respectful, may not use profanity or other defaming language, and in general must be in the spirit and meet the standards related to the treatment of others as described in the university’s Community Covenant and employee and student codes of conduct.

10. Promotion for the public expression event must first be approved through the appropriate university channels. If sponsored by individual student(s) promotion must be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Dean of Students before distribution. If sponsored by a student organization, organizers will use the established process for student clubs. Note: If the event is not officially sponsored by a student organization, the event should not be promoted using those student organization’s official communication channels.

11.  No bullhorns/megaphones, or other amplification/sound devices that may cause potential disruption of the university’s other daily activities may be used.

12. All organizers and participants in the public expression event must be Messiah students or employees and should be visibly identifiable, i.e., free of masks or other obstructions meant to hide personal identity.

13. No sidewalks or building accesses may be blocked, nor may normal university operations be impeded, including encampments or occupations of campus buildings.

14. Absolutely no vandalism or destruction of campus or personal property will be permitted and will immediately terminate any previous permission extended for the public expression event.

15. All forms of harassment, including but not limited to physical or verbal harassment, of members of the university community, or public expression activities outside of the dates, hours or locations for which permission has been granted, will be cause for the immediate revocation of privilege for those involved.

16. Any act of disorderly conduct or the failure to respect any of the above procedures will result in appropriate intervention by authorized campus personnel, including potential disciplinary procedures.

Public expression activities by campus visitors

As a private university, Messiah University’s policy is that visitors do not share the same privileges and rights as members of the campus university community to participate in public expression activities on Messiah University property. Thus, campus visitors who wish to engage in public expression activities are subject to the following restrictions.

• Specifically, campus visitors are not permitted to be involved in public expression on university property except as invited participants at official, approved University events, and in a manner consistent with the intent of the event as determined by officials of the university.
• A visitor’s presence on campus is not merely contingent upon their compliance with standards maintained by the university, and as such, visitors may be asked to leave the campus at any time by an authorized official of the university.
• Visitors may not engage in activities which hinder or obstruct approved public expression or affect the university’s ability to provide a safe, educational environment for its members.
• Visitors acting in violation of this policy and/or the related guidelines or failing to accept the directions of authorized university authorities will be required to leave campus and may be referred to the local public authorities in the event of violations of applicable laws. Any police arrests and criminal charges are separate from judicial actions at Messiah University.

Questions regarding the public expression policy may be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students.

This policy is administered and maintained by the Crisis Management Team as part of the university's broader Campus Visitor Policy. The original policy, which predates these current revisions was approved by College Council September 25, 2007; The amended policy was approved by College Council on September 22, 2011. The public expression portion of this policy was last reviewed and revised by the Crisis Management Team on Oct. 19, 2016; in November 2018; and again in September 2024 in consultation with President's Cabinet.