Free Speech at ASU
Expression on Campus
The ASU campus is dedicated to university activities and is not a place with unrestricted public access.
ASU has adopted policies and processes that support expressive activities, including availability of public, outdoor areas for expression. However, the university must also maintain normal campus operations. ASU does not regulate the subject, content or viewpoints of speech, but has adopted time, place and manner guidelines for when and how that speech can take place on campus.
Here are some key guidelines for people who want to gather on campus to speak, listen, protest, and counterprotest:
- Stick to daytime hours. Overnight occupancy (11 p.m. to 5 a.m.) is not permitted.
- Use only outdoor spaces. Campus buildings are dedicated to university activities and cannot be used for other purposes without a reservation.
- Avoid using reservable space. Most of the open areas of campus are available for speech, but certain outdoor locations have been set aside for the exclusive use of registered student organizations and university departments. Unless you are a department or student organization with a reservation, avoid those spaces and use one of the many other campus spots that are available for all.
- Keep the passages clear. Don’t block sidewalks, roads, the doors in and out of buildings, or any other space that would keep others who are on campus from getting to and from activities.
- Bring only what you can hold. Handheld signs and leaflets to distribute are welcome. Shade structures and tents (or other camping equipment) are prohibited except as part of a university event with prior permission. Signs can only be posted on the existing kiosks maintained for that purpose and may not be affixed to buildings or equipment. Stakes, posts, and other objects may not be driven into the ground.
- Respect your neighbors. Thousands of people study, teach, research, work, and live on ASU’s campuses. So that they can also use campus, amplification is limited in volume (75 decibels or less at 30 feet) and time (Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 pm and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Permission must be requested for live music that includes percussion, or for amplification outside of those hours.
- Do no harm. Physical violence, threats of violence, disruption of university activities, and damage to university property are all prohibited. Weapons are also prohibited. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are all subject to the ABOR Code of Conduct while on campus, in addition to any university policies specific to them.
- Follow directions. Even when you are following the directions above, University officials may ask you to relocate or cease certain activities because of other policy requirements, because of disruption to university activities, or for your safety or those of others.
Using University Buildings and Facilities
University buildings (including other indoor or enclosed campus spaces) are dedicated to use for specific university business.
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may visit university buildings for the purposes those buildings are assigned and during the hours that they are open. For example, students may go to classrooms to take classes or to the library to study, and visitors may attend lectures, concerts, performances, and sporting events held in ASU facilities.
People or organizations that want to reserve space in an ASU building or facility must make specific arrangements to do so and must pay all charges associated with that use. Non-ASU organizations may also be required to satisfy insurance requirements. Anyone requesting a space reservation must provide complete and accurate information about their planned use so that ASU can plan to support safe participation in the event, correctly calculate applicable charges, and ensure the use is consistent with university policy.
Anyone planning an in-person gathering in an ASU building or facility, as well as an off-campus gathering that is related to a university activity or paid for with university funds or student fees must register in advance with the Event Registry: https://eventreg.asu.edu/home.
Physical violence, threats of violence, disruption of university activities, and damage to university property are all prohibited. Weapons are also prohibited. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are all subject to the ABOR Code of Conduct while on campus, in addition to any university policies specific to them.
For more information:
Policies on Speech and Expression
ABOR Committee on Free Expression
What are the consequences for violating ASU policies about free speech and campus use?
Individuals who violate ASU’s policies may be removed from campus, prohibited from returning, and prohibited from participating in university programs or activities. They may also face civil penalties and may be arrested and charged criminally. Faculty, staff, and students who violate policies may also be subject to sanctions, including suspension, expulsion, and termination of employment, under codes of conduct specific to them.