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Protest and Demonstration Procedures

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The right to freedom of expression at UW-Eau Claire

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Listed below are links to guide the freedom of expression on our campus within the boundaries of lawful behavior and applicable policies.

A number of campus policies are also in place to ensure equitable access to campus facilities for the purposes of free expression by on- and off-campus audiences. These include: solicitation; distribution of promotional material; placement of lawn signs; and use of tabling.

See our Frequently Asked Questions below for useful pieces of information from these policies.

Jump to the FAQ.

Organizing a peaceful assembly at UW-Eau Claire

Reservations are not required to use UW-Eau Claire’s campus mall for free expression activities like protests, demonstrations, or assemblies which are protected by the First Amendment. However, if you are organizing a peaceful assembly at UW-Eau Claire, please consider undertaking the steps below.

Contact Event Services at least one week before your event to ensure your desired outdoor location is not already reserved. Event Services will note the planned date, time and location of your event, and may also inform you of other events planned for the campus mall that day. There is no charge to use university grounds for activities covered by the First Amendment.
Contact the UW-Eau Claire Police Department at least two days (48 hours) before your event to talk through any safety concerns you may have to ensure your event is not disrupted, and to ensure all students, faculty and staff can maintain access to university facilities during your event, as required by Wis. Admin. Code Ch. UWS 18.

Once these two steps are concluded, we wish you a safe and successful event!

If I want to hold an assembly or protest on the campus...

If I want to hold an assembly or protest on the campus, who do I need to contact?

Contact Event Services at eventservices@uwec.edu to inquire about space availability for your event. Public assemblies, demonstrations, or protests may use campus grounds but should confirm the space is available on the date/time they request to avoid conflicts with already-scheduled university events. You should inform Event Services if you would like to use amplified sound during your event, as using amplified sound requires prior authorization from the university administration per Wis. Admin. Code Ch. 18.11(5).

Event organizers should also contact the University Police at police@uwec.edu to ensure safety for event participants and other university
faculty, staff, and students.

Does the university decide what individuals or groups may...

Does the university decide what individuals or groups may hold assemblies or protests on campus based on the viewpoint they are expressing?

No. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has the responsibility as a public institution to be open to all ideological perspectives in accordance with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution. The university adheres to the principles enumerated in UW System Regent Policy Document 4-21 when making decisions about freedom of expression.

Why does the UW-Eau Claire Police Department have officers present at campus assemblies?

UWEC police officers may attend campus assemblies to ensure the event is not disrupted. The UW System is committed to academic freedom and free expression, and police are trained in de-escalation tactics to intervene only if an individual or group is attempting to silence another. The police also assist in ensuring campus buildings and lands are accessible, as required by Wis. Admin. Code Ch. UWS 18.11(4).

I’m worried a protest might make it difficult for me to get to class or enter campus buildings.

I’m worried a protest might make it difficult for me to get to class or enter campus buildings. What can the university do to prevent that?

The university’s primary mission is to provide education, research, and public service, and events or individuals that interfere with the campus’s mission can be declared unlawful. Wis. Admin. Code Ch. UWS 18.11(4) includes various requirements for non-academic use of the university’s lands, including that:

Assemblies cannot block access to buildings entrances or portions of University grounds; intentionally disrupt university activities; use force or violence, or intentionally threaten force or violence, against any member of the university community
Noise levels that are disruptive to the university’s mission are not allowed
No person can ignore university authorized security measures, use unauthorized sound amplifying equipment, or commit acts of vandalism

Events that intentionally violate these requirements may be declared unlawful, and individuals who continue an unlawful assembly after it has been declared unlawful may be subject to arrest, per Wis. Admin. Code Ch. 18.11(4)(d), and liable to the penalties of Wis. Admin. Code Ch. UWS 18.13.

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