Subject to the regulations and requirements of this policy, college or noncollege groups may use the campus limited forum for those activities protected by the first amendment. Examples of first amendment activities would include, but not be 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.
Noncollege groups that intend to be on campus to engage in first amendment activities (hereinafter "the event") shall provide notice to the college security department no later than forty-eight hours prior to the event along with the following information:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual, group, entity or organization sponsoring the event (hereinafter "the sponsoring organization"); and
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the sponsoring organization; and
(3) The date, time, and requested location of the event; and
(4) The nature and purpose of the event; and
(5) The type of sound amplification devices to be used in connection with the event, if any; and
(6) The estimated number of people expected to participate in the event.
Signs shall be no larger than three feet by five feet and no individual may carry more than one sign.
If more than thirty people are expected to participate in the event, the college shall specify the campus location.
The use of sound amplification devices is limited to the limited public forum area as long as the sound amplification device is used at a volume that does not disrupt or disturb the normal use of classrooms, offices, or laboratories or any previously scheduled college event or activity.
College groups are encouraged to notify the college security department 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 the facility.
Events shall be held within the college's hours of operation. College group events shall not last longer than eight hours from beginning to end. Noncollege events shall not last longer than five hours from beginning to end.
Information may be distributed as long as it is not obscene or libelous or 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 campus and/or greatly increased work requirements for college physical plant employees, groups are asked to cooperate with the college in limiting the distribution of information leaflets or pamphlets to the limited public forum site. Leafletting cars in YVCC parking lots is prohibited.
Speech that does no more than propose a commercial transaction shall not occur in connection with the event.
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.
All fire, safety, sanitation, or special regulations specified for the event are to be obeyed.
The college cannot and will not provide equipment, utility connections, or hook-ups for purposes of first amendment activities conducted pursuant to this policy.
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.
The event must not create safety hazards or pose unreasonable safety risks.
The event must not interfere with college operations or 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 event must not materially infringe on the rights and privileges of college students, employees, or invitees to the college.
The event must also be in accordance with any other applicable regulations and policies of Yakima Valley Community College, local ordinances and/or state or federal laws.
The use of intoxicants is prohibited on campus unless expressly authorized by the college. Smoking is not permitted, except in designated areas.