PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-07-050.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: First amendment activities for Community College District 14.
Hearing Location(s): Ellis Dunn Community Room, Gaiser Student Center, Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663, on August 22, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 22, 2012.
Submit Written Comments to: Mr. Bob Williamson, Vice-President of Administrative Services, Clark College, Mailstop BRD 159, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663, e-mail bwilliamson@clark.edu, fax (360) 992-2884, by August 17, 2012.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tami Jacobs by August 17, 2012, TTY (360) 992-2835 or (360) 992-2580.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed new code clarifies the "time, place and manner" of first amendment activities such as rallies, speeches and the distribution of flyers on college property and in college facilities consistent with what has been deemed acceptable by the courts.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Last year, the college adopted an official policy on the subject of first amendment activities using a template prepared by the state's attorney general's office. This policy balances the rights given under the first amendment with the college's responsibility to provide a safe and orderly environment in which to learn and work. The college is seeking to codify the policy as a new rule.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.50.140.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: [Clark College], governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Bob Williamson, Clark College, Mailstop BRD 159, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663, (360) 992-2289.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not required - there will be no impact on small business if the proposed code is adopted.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Costs associated with implementing and enforcing these rules are already accounted for in the college's budget.
July 11, 2012
Robert D. Williamson
Vice-President of
Administrative Services
OTS-4801.2
FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 14
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College groups - Individuals who are currently enrolled students or current employees of Clark College or who are affiliated with a recognized student organization or a recognized employee group of the college.
First amendment activities - Include, but are not necessarily limited to, informational picketing, petition circulation, the distribution of information leaflets or pamphlets, speech-making, demonstrations, rallies, appearances of speakers in outdoor areas, mass protests, meetings to display group feelings or sentiments and/or other types of constitutionally protected assemblies to share information, perspective or viewpoints.
Limited public forum areas - Those areas of each campus that the college has chosen to open as places for expressive activities protected by the first amendment, subject to reasonable time, place and manner. Limited public forum does not include college buildings, walkways or athletic fields. College buildings, rooms, and athletic fields may be rented in accordance with the college's facilities use policy.
Noncollege groups - Individuals, or combinations of individuals, who are not currently enrolled students or current employees of Clark College or who are not officially affiliated or associated with a recognized student organization or a recognized employee group of the college.
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(2) Noncollege groups that intend to be at the college to engage in first amendment activities (hereinafter "the event") shall provide notice to and register with the security office no later than forty-eight hours prior to the event along with the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual, group, entity or organization sponsoring the event (hereinafter "the sponsoring organization").
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the sponsoring organization.
(c) The date, time, and requested location of the event.
(d) The nature and purpose of the event.
(e) The type of sound amplification devices to be used in connection with the event, if any.
(f) The estimated number of people expected to participate in the event.
(3) Policies established by the college regarding the use of facilities for events include: Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 501.010 - Violation and/or Termination of Agreement (WAC 132N-150-270 Violation and/or termination of facilities use agreement); Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 535.001 - Bulletin Boards/Posting of Signs and Flyers (WAC 132N-150-100 Bulletin boards); Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 535.015 - Sites for Distribution of Public Information Materials (WAC 132N-150-090 Commercial use/solicitation); Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 535.035 - Sale or Distribution of Materials (WAC 132N-150-090 Commercial use/solicitation); Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 510.056 - Overnight Use (WAC 132N-150-200 Overnight use); and Clark College Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual 510.057 - Temporary Structures (WAC 132N-150-210 Temporary structures). Additional guidelines established by the college regarding the use of facilities, property or grounds for first amendment activities include the following:
(a) Signs shall be no larger than three feet by five feet and no individual may carry more than one sign.
(b) On the college's main campus, the event must be held in the open lawn area south and east of the Chime Tower, north and west of the Chime Tower to include the Fountain area, or east of the O'Connell Sports Center. The designated free speech area at Clark College at the Columbia Tech Center is the circle pad west of the main entry door. The designated areas at the Clark Center at WSU Vancouver are determined by WSU Vancouver policy. All proposed first amendment activities that are at locations other than Clark College must first be approved by the property owner. Please contact the vice-president of administrative services for more information.
(c) The use of sound amplification devices is restricted to the limited public forum area as long as the sound amplification device is used at a volume which does not disrupt or disturb the normal use of classrooms, offices or laboratories or any previously scheduled college event or activity.
(d) College groups are encouraged to notify security no later than forty-eight hours in advance of an event. However, unscheduled events are permitted so long as the event does not interfere with any other function occurring at or around the facility, property or grounds.
(e) First amendment activities at the college's main campus and at the Columbia Tech Center shall not last longer than five hours from beginning to end.
(f) Information may be distributed as long as it does not advocate unlawful conduct. The sponsoring organization is encouraged, but not required, to include its name and address on the distributed information. To avoid excessive littering of the college and/or greatly increased work requirements for college employees, groups are asked to cooperate with the college in limiting the distribution of information leaflets or pamphlets to the limited public forum site. In addition, material cannot be forced upon any member of the college community, including visitors, nor may individuals verbally or physically harass or intimidate anyone into accepting their material.
(g) Speech that does no more than propose a commercial transaction shall not occur in connection with the event.
(h) The limited public forum used by the group should be cleaned up and left in its original condition and may be subject to inspection by a representative of the college after the event. Reasonable charges may be assessed against the sponsoring organization for the costs of extraordinary clean-up or for the repair of damaged property.
(i) All fire, safety, sanitation or special regulations specified for the event are to be obeyed. The college cannot and will not provide utility connections or hook-ups for purposes of first amendment activities conducted pursuant to this policy.
(j) The event must not obstruct vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian or other traffic or otherwise interfere with ingress or egress to the college, or to college buildings or facilities, or to college activities or events.
(k) The event must not create safety hazards or pose unreasonable safety risks to college students, employees or invitees to the college.
(l) ADA compliance of the facilities is the responsibility of the college; however, accommodations related to the event and any materials distributed are the responsibility of the sponsoring organization, as required by state and federal law.
(m) The event must not interfere with educational activities inside or outside any college building or otherwise prevent the college from fulfilling its mission and achieving its primary purpose of providing an education to its students.
(n) The event must not materially infringe on the rights and privileges of college students, employees or invitees to the college.
(o) The event must also be in accordance with any other applicable college policies and regulations, local ordinances and/or state or federal laws.
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The president of the college or designee may at any time, terminate, cancel or prohibit the event if it is determined, after proper inquiry, that the event does constitute or will constitute imminent and incendiary danger to the college's orderly operation.
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When the college grants permission to a college group or noncollege group to use its facilities, it is with the express understanding and condition that the individual or organization assumes full responsibility for any loss or damage.
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