WSR 13-17-003
PROPOSED RULES
SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGES
[Filed August 7, 2013, 1:49 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-23-032.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Policy on the use of the college facilities, limitation of use and trespass, amending WAC 132F-136-030 and 132F-136-050; use of facilities for first amendment activities (new chapter 132F-142 WAC).
Hearing Location(s): Seattle Central Community College, Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, on October 22, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 14, 2013.
Submit Written Comments to: Amanda Davis Simpfenderfer, 1500 Harvard Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122, e-mail amanda.simpfenderfer@seattlecolleges.edu, fax (206) 934-3894, by October 22, 2013, 5:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Amanda.simpfenderfer@seattlecolleges.edu by October 20, 2013, (206) 934-3873.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Update and creation of new policies regarding the usage of the Seattle Community Colleges for first amendment activities on campus. The changes outline how the campus can be used for first amendment activities.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To ensure that Seattle Community Colleges are upholding first amendment rights while respecting the educational process and amending the trespass rule to provide for administrative review.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140(13).
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28B.50.140(13).
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Seattle Community College District VI, public.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Kurt Buttleman, Seattle Community College District Office, (206) 934-4111.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules are not predicted to impose any costs on businesses or an industry.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Seattle Community Colleges are not required to provide a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a).
August 7, 2013
Jill Wakefield
Chancellor
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-12-010, filed 5/24/12, effective 6/24/12)
WAC 132F-136-030 Limitation of use.
(1) Primary consideration shall be given at all times to activities specifically related to the college's mission, and no arrangements shall be made that may interfere with, or operate to the detriment of, the college's own teaching, research, or public service programs.
(2) ((In general, the)) College facilities ((of the college shall not)) may be rented to((, or used by,)) private or commercial organizations or associations((, nor)) but shall ((the facilities)) not be rented to persons or organizations conducting programs for private gain.
(3) ((College facilities may not be used for commercial sales, advertising, or promotional activities except when such activities clearly serve educational objectives (as in display of books of interest to the academic community or in the display or demonstration of technical or research equipment) and when they are conducted under the sponsorship or at the request of a college department, administrative office or student organization.
(4) College facilities may not be used for purposes of political campaigning by or for candidates who have filed for public office except for student-sponsored activities.
(5) Activities of commercial or political nature will not be approved if they involve the use of promotional signs or posters on buildings, trees, walls, or bulletin boards, or the distribution of samples outside rooms or facilities to which access has been granted.
(6))) College facilities are available to recognized student groups, subject to these general policies and to the rules and regulations of the college governing student affairs.
(((7) Handbills, leaflets, and similar materials except those which are commercial, obscene, or unlawful in character may be distributed only in designated areas on the campus where, and at times when, such distribution shall not interfere with the orderly administration of the college affairs or the free flow of traffic. Any distribution of materials as authorized by the designated administrative officer and regulated by established guidelines shall not be construed as support or approval of the content by the college community or the board of trustees.
(8) Use of audio amplifying equipment is permitted only in locations and at times that will not interfere with the normal conduct of college affairs as determined by the appropriate administrative officer.
(9))) (4) No person or group may use or enter onto college facilities having in their possession firearms, even if licensed to do so, except commissioned police officers as prescribed by law.
(((10) The right of peaceful dissent within the college community shall be preserved. The college retains the right to insure the safety of individuals, the continuity of the educational process, and the protection of property. While peaceful dissent is acceptable, violence or disruptive behavior is an illegitimate means of dissent. Should any person, group or organization attempt to resolve differences by means of violence, the college and its officials need not negotiate while such methods are employed.
(11) Orderly picketing and other forms of peaceful dissent are protected activities on and about the college premises. However, interference with free passage through areas where members of the college community have a right to be, interference with ingress and egress to college facilities, interruption of classes, injury to persons, or damage to property exceeds permissible limits.
(12) Peaceful picketing and other orderly demonstrations are permitted in public areas and other places set aside for public meetings in college buildings. Where college space is used for an authorized function, such as a class or a public or private meeting under approved sponsorship, administrative functions or service related activities, groups must obey or comply with directions of the designated administrative officer or individual in charge of the meeting.
(13) If a college facility abuts a public area or street, and if student activity, although on public property, unreasonably interferes with ingress and egress to college buildings, the college may choose to impose its own sanctions although remedies might be available through local law enforcement agencies.
(14) College and noncollege groups may use the campus for first amendment activities between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and the colleges and their campuses are not open to the public except during these times.
(15) There shall be no overnight camping on college facilities or grounds. Camping is defined to include sleeping, carrying on cooking activities, or storing personal belongings, for personal habitation, or the erection of tents or other shelters or structures used for purposes of personal habitation.))
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-12-010, filed 5/24/12, effective 6/24/12)
WAC 132F-136-050 Trespass.
(1) Individuals who are not students or members of the faculty or staff and who violate the district's rules, or whose conduct threatens the safety or security of its students, staff, or faculty will be advised of the specific nature of the violation, and if they persist in the violation, they will be requested by the campus president, or his or her designee, to leave the college property. Such a request will be deemed to prohibit the entry of, withdraw the license or privilege to enter onto or remain upon any portion of the college property by the person or group of persons requested to leave, and subject such individuals to arrest under the provisions of chapter 9A.52 RCW or Seattle Municipal Code 12A.08.040.
(2) Members of the college community (students, faculty, and staff) who do not comply with these regulations will be reported to the appropriate college office or agency for action in accord with established college policies.
(3) When the college revokes the license or privilege of any person to be on college property, temporarily or for a stated period of time, that person may file a request for review of the decision with the ((manager of campus security)) vice-president of administration or designee within ten days of receipt of the trespass notice. The request must contain the reasons why the individual disagrees with the trespass notice. The trespass notice will remain in effect during the pendency of any review period. The decision of the ((manager of campus security)) vice-president of administration or designee will be the final decision of the college and should be issued within five work days.
Chapter  132F - 142  WAC
USE OF FACILITIES FOR FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES
NEW SECTION
WAC 132F-142-010 Statement of purpose.
The Seattle Community Colleges are educational institutions provided and maintained by the people of the state of Washington. College facilities are reserved primarily for educational use including, but not limited to, instruction, research, public assembly of college groups, student activities and other activities directly related to the educational mission of the colleges. The public character of the colleges does not grant to individuals the right to substantially interfere with, or otherwise disrupt the normal activities for and to which the colleges' facilities and grounds are dedicated. Accordingly, the colleges are designated public forums opened for the purposes recited herein and further subject to the time, place, and manner provisions set forth in these rules.
The purpose of the time, place and manner regulations set forth in this policy is to establish procedures and reasonable controls for the use of college facilities for both college and noncollege groups. It is intended to balance the colleges' responsibility to fulfill their mission as state educational institutions of Washington with the interests of college groups and noncollege groups who are interested in using the campus for purposes of constitutionally protected speech, assembly or expression. The colleges recognize that college groups should be accorded the opportunity to utilize the facilities and grounds of the colleges to the fullest extent possible. The college intends to open its campus to noncollege groups to the extent that the usage does not conflict with the rights of college groups or substantially disrupt the educational process.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132F-142-020 Definitions.
(1) "College facilities" or "campus" includes all buildings, structures, grounds, office space, and parking lots.
(2) "College group" means individuals who are currently enrolled students or current employees of the Seattle Community Colleges or individuals who are sponsored by faculty, a recognized student organization or a recognized employee group of the college.
(3) "Noncollege group" means individuals or groups who are not currently enrolled students or current employees of the Seattle Community Colleges.
(4) "Public forum areas" means those areas of each campus that the college has chosen to be open as places for expressive activities protected by the first amendment, subject to reasonable time, place or manner provisions.
(5) "Sponsor" means that when a college group invites a noncollege group onto campus, the college group will be responsible for the activity and will designate an individual to be present at all times during the activity. The sponsor will ensure that those participating in the sponsored activity are aware of the college's rules and policies governing the activity. This definition does not apply to noncollege groups that rent college facilities.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132F-142-030 Use of facilities.
(1) There shall be no camping on college facilities or grounds between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Camping is defined to include sleeping, cooking activities, or storing personal belongings, for personal habitation, or the erection of tents or other shelters or structures used for purposes of personal habitation.
(2) Any sound amplification device may only be used at a volume which does not disrupt or disturb the normal use of classrooms, offices or laboratories, or any previously scheduled college activity.
(3) College groups are encouraged to notify the campus public safety department no later than twenty-four hours in advance of an activity. However, unscheduled activities are permitted so long as the activity does not displace any other activities occurring at the college.
(4) All sites used for first amendment activities should be cleaned up and left in their original condition and may be subject to inspection by a representative of the college after the activity. Reasonable charges may be assessed against the sponsoring organization for the costs of extraordinary cleanup or for the repair of damaged property.
(5) All college and noncollege groups must comply with fire, safety, sanitation or special regulations specified for the activity.
(6) The activity must not be conducted in such a manner as to obstruct vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, or other traffic or otherwise interfere with ingress or egress to the college, college buildings or facilities, or college activities. The activity must not create safety hazards or pose safety risks to others.
(7) The activity must not substantially 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. The activity must not substantially infringe on the rights and privileges of college students, employees or invitees to the college.
(8) College facilities may not be used for commercial sales, solicitations, advertising or promotional activities, unless:
(a) Such activities serve educational purposes of the college; and
(b) Such activities are under the sponsorship of a college department, office, or officially chartered student club.
(9) The activity must also be conducted in accordance with any other applicable college policies and rules, local ordinances, state, and federal laws.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132F-142-040 Additional requirements for noncollege groups.
(1) College facilities may be rented by noncollege groups in accordance with the college's facilities use policy. Noncollege groups may otherwise use college facilities in accordance with the Seattle Community Colleges' rules.
(2) The college designates its grounds and outdoor spaces as the public forum area(s) for use by noncollege groups for first amendment activities on campus. Nothing in these rules prohibits noncollege groups from engaging in first amendment activities at open public meetings, subject to the requirements of RCW 42.30.050.
(3) Noncollege groups at North Seattle Community College and South Seattle Community College may use the public forum areas for first amendment activities between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and those colleges and their campuses are not open to the general public except during these times. Due to Seattle Central Community College's urban setting, there are no temporal restrictions on first amendment activities at that college except as otherwise provided in these rules.
(4) Before engaging in first amendment activities, upon request by the college, all noncollege groups must report to campus security to sign in and notify the college of the noncollege group's presence on campus and to acknowledge receipt of these rules and to ensure that there are no scheduling conflicts. This notice does not involve any application or approval process, and therefore, the ability to use designated areas will not be denied unless they are already reserved for use by another group. This notice is intended to provide the college with knowledge of the noncollege group's presence on campus so that the college can notify the appropriate members of its staff whose services might be needed or impacted by the use of the designated area. When signing in, the individual or group must provide the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual, group, entity, or organization sponsoring the activity (hereinafter "the sponsoring organization"); and
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the sponsoring organization; and
(c) The date, time, and requested location of the activity; and
(d) The type of sound amplification devices to be used in connection with the activity, if any; and
(e) The estimated number of people expected to participate in the activity.
NEW SECTION
WAC 132F-142-050 Distribution of materials.
Information may be distributed as long as it is not obscene or does not promote the imminent prospect of actual violence or harm. The distributor is encouraged, but not required, to include its name and address on the distributed information. College groups may post information on bulletin boards, kiosks and other display areas designated for that purpose, and may distribute materials throughout the open areas of campus. Noncollege groups may distribute materials only on the grounds and outside spaces of the campuses.