Free Speech and Public Assembly

To describe the College’s policy for exercising free speech on campus:

James Sprunt Community College encourages its students and the community to exercise the right to freedom of speech granted by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. In adherence to these rights, the College protects the rights of free speech, petition, and peaceable assembly. This policy informs members of the College community and the public of the manner in which they may engage in constitutionally protected speech and expression at James Sprunt Community College.

This policy is intended to protect one’s right to freedom of speech without interfering with the primary educational purpose of the College. Interferences include any situations which may compromise the College’s ability to provide a suitable environment for students, faculty, and staff to study, conduct research, and perform activities without undue interference. Any acts that are disruptive to normal operations of the College will not be tolerated. Persons engaged in disruptive activity including students, faculty, and staff may be subject to disciplinary or due criminal action. The College has adopted the following guidelines to ensure the rights of free speech while maintaining the proper educational environment.

Guidelines for Speech and Public Assembly

1. Speech and public assembly are permitted on the grounds of JSCC as long as it does not disrupt College classes or other scheduled events on campus.
2. Amplification Systems: Because amplification systems pose a significant potential for disruption of College operation, public address and amplification systems may not be used. This includes, but is not limited to, megaphones and PA systems.
3. Opposing Opinions: People with opposing opinions do not have the right to disrupt an authorized public assembly.
4. A person with an opposing opinion must not substantially interfere with the speaker’s ability to communicate or the audiences; ability to hear and see the speaker. Likewise, the audience must respect someone’s right to disagree.
5. Picketing is not permitted inside the College buildings or where it impacts the student learning environment.
6. Symbolic Protest: During a presentation, displaying a sign, gesturing, wearing symbolic clothing, or otherwise protesting silently is permissible so long as the symbolic protest does not unduly interfere with the ability of the person or entity reserving an area for free speech/expression to express themselves and must be confined to the designated area.

Conduct and Manner

Those who exercise free speech as a part of this policy must not:

1. Threaten passers-by
2. Interfere with, impede, or cause blockage of the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
3. Interfere with or disrupt any other lawful activity in the same general location at the same time.
4. Commit any act likely to create an imminent safety or health hazard.
5. Post materials on any walls, windows, doors, sidewalks, trees, light poles, etc., or any other College equipment except in areas designated by the Director of College Advancement.
6. Use signs or placards used in connection with the activity must not contain obscene language or words that would tend to incite violence.
7. Make record by audio or visual means (photography, video recording, etc.) of any faculty, staff, or student without obtaining written permission from the person being recorded.

Public speech or activities likely to incite or produce imminent lawless action or that is, under current legal standards, either defamatory or obscene are prohibited. Violations of the James Sprunt Community College Student Code of Conduct are prohibited. Individuals who damage or destroy College property shall be held responsible for such damage or destruction. This includes lawns, shrubs, trees, etc.

All applicable College regulations, state, and federal laws and municipal ordinances apply when engaging in activities on College property. Failure to do so may result in immediate removal from College property and other appropriate action by College officials and/or police.

Interference with Free Speech or Public Assembly

Persons shall not physically interfere in the use of the sidewalk or address obscene, indecent, or threatening language to or at individuals to provoke them or lead to a breach of the peace.

Whenever free passage is obstructed by a crowd, the persons composing such crowd shall disperse when directed by College officials, security, or police. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution.