Dallas College (the “College”) remains committed to the principles of free speech as a vital aspect of academic freedom, intellectual growth, and the advancement of knowledge. In furtherance of that mission, the College is committed to protecting the rights of all persons to assemble, speak, petition and to express themselves, including the corresponding freedom to hear or not hear the speech of others as they so choose.
The College does not discriminate on the basis of the political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic expression of any person, either in the administration or the enforcement of its policies relating to expression, including but not limited to any rules, regulations, procedures, or guidelines promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Expression Policies”). However, the College maintains and reserves the right, in accordance with applicable laws, to enforce prohibitions on certain categories of expression and to establish, as necessary, reasonable and content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression.
Those who choose to participate in, observe and/or listen to expressive activities, bear the responsibility of recognizing and honoring the right of others to engage in similar activity. Any conduct that is unlawful, disruptive to College operations, including classes and College business, or that invades or interferes with the rights of others is expressly prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, expulsion, or removal from College property, as applicable, and/or criminal charges.
This regulation and any related Expression Policies are intended to protect and regulate on-campus speech, expression, and assembly, and is applicable to expression by the Dallas College community, including students, faculty, and staff, and members of the public, irrespective of whether the expressive activity is a function of an individual’s role or position with the College, or is sponsored by the College or an academic/administrative unit thereof. In addition, this regulation applies to expression that occurs in the common outdoor areas, designated public forums, and limited public forums of the College by members of the College community and members of the public, as applicable. College policies relating to employee and student expression are provided in DGC (LOCAL) and FLA (LOCAL) respectively; policies addressing expression by members of the public are provided in GD (LOCAL).
For purposes of this regulation and unless otherwise provided, the following definitions will apply:
- “Academic or administrative unit” means any office or department of the College.
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Amplified sound” means sound for which the volume is increased by electric, electronic, mechanical, or motor-powered means. Shouting, group chanting, and acoustic musical instruments are not included in this definition and are not subject to the regulations addressing amplified sound but are subject to general rules on disruption.
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College person or College organization” includes academic or administrative units, registered or sponsored faculty, staff, or student organizations, and individual students, faculty members, and staff members.
- “Event” means something that occurs in a certain place during a particular interval of time. Events include but are not limited to presentations by guest speakers, public assemblies, and other speech activities, which may include the distribution of literature or the use of exhibits, tables, or signs.
- “Faculty and staff” include any person who is employed by the College.
- “Member(s) of the public” means any person, organization, or business that is not an academic or administrative unit; a registered or sponsored faculty, staff, or student organization; or a student, faculty member, or staff member of the College.
- "Posting" refers to any means used for displaying a sign.
- "Registered or sponsored faculty, staff or student organization" means a faculty, staff or student organization established in accordance with Dallas College Board Policies.
- “Room or space” includes any room or space, indoors or outdoors, owned, leased, or controlled by the College.
- "Sign" includes any billboard, decal, notice, placard, poster, banner, or any kind of hand-held sign.
- “Student” means a person who is currently enrolled at the College or has been enrolled at the College in a prior semester (including summer) and is eligible to continue enrollment in the semester that immediately follows.
- "Temporary banner space" means an outdoor or indoor display area, designated or managed by the Chancellor or a designee, which is reserved for use by the College, including College persons and College organizations, for the purpose of affixing a temporary banner. Such areas are part of the College’s limited public forum and are not open to members of the public.
- “Temporary exhibit space” means an outdoor display area, designated or managed by the Chancellor or a designee, where an authorized person or organization may erect a temporary exhibit. These areas are part of the College’s limited public forum and not open to members of the public.
As a public institution of higher education, the College has a variety of forums, some of which may be used for the expression of ideas and opinions, subject to the following:
Common Outdoor Areas
A “common outdoor area” means outdoor space that is not regularly used for College business and that does not have an educational or administrative function. Examples of common outdoor areas include public streets, sidewalks, parks, and similar common areas. Such areas are generally available for expressive activity, planned or spontaneous, any time and by anyone, subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, irrespective of a person’s affiliation with the College (i.e., not just students, employees or invited guests) and without the need for reservation or prior approval, provided the activity is lawful and does not disrupt the functions of the College or otherwise violate College policies and procedures. Common outdoor areas are designated by state law as traditional public forums.
Exclusions. Not all outdoor spaces on Dallas College campuses are common outdoor areas. Common outdoor areas do not include outside space that is used for educational or administrative purposes or for College-sponsored events, on either a temporary or permanent basis; the outside surfaces of a College building, whether leased or owned by the College; surfaces associated with or connected to a College building, whether the building is leased or owned by the College; a College structure; spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor banners; spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor exhibits; or any other space within the College’s limited public forum, as that term is defined below.
Reserved Space. While common outdoor areas are available for use by anyone and do not require reservation, if a person or group does reserve a space in the common outdoor area for expressive activities, that space is not available for another person or group’s use or reservation at that time. In addition, when outdoor space is being used for College business or events, including, but not limited to, athletic competitions and cultural activities, it is not part of the common outdoor area available for use for others’ expressive activities.
Designated Public Forums
Designated public forums include other areas of Dallas College that may become temporarily available for expressive activity, as designated by the College, provided the activity is lawful and does not disrupt the functions of the College or otherwise violate College policies and procedures. These designated temporary locations, while in existence, will be considered common out-door areas for purposes of determining access and availability for expressive activity and are subject to the same restrictions.
The following areas of Dallas College will be considered designated public forums, and will be made available for expressive activity, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
- Brookhaven: The Commons Courtyard (Fountain)
- El Centro: B-100; C Building Entrance, North Market Street
- Northlake: Courtyard/H200; J Courtyard
- Richland: Behind the M Building (Before the Bridge)
- Cedar Valley: Cedar Valley D Courtyard; In Front of the G Building
- Mountain View: Student Courtyard; In Front of the E building
- Eastfield: Outside of the Courtyard by the Hive; N Building Entrance, Parking Lot Side
This list is provided for reference only. It does not represent an exhaustive list of all areas within Dallas College that may be designated as a “designated public forum.” To the extent a location designated as a “designated public forum” does not also qualify as a common outdoor area, its availability for public use is subject to change at the sole discretion of the College.
Limited Public Forums
A limited public forum refers to College property, both indoors and outdoors, whether leased or owned, that is not a common outdoor area or a designated public forum. Limited public forums, therefore, do not have the same level of access and availability for expressive activity as those spaces. Instead, limited public forums have limited open access for public expression, or their access may be limited to particular groups or topics. The term limited public forum includes the outside surfaces of a College building, whether leased or owned; surfaces associated with or connected to a College building, whether the building is leased or owned by the College; a College structure; spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor banners; spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor exhibits, and residential outdoor spaces, if any. Limited public forums are only available for expressive activity upon reservation and approval of the College.
Examples of limited forum areas include:
- Student Centers
- Designated Meeting Rooms
- Gymnasiums
- Auditoriums and Performance Halls
- Art Galleries
This list is provided for reference only; it does not represent an exhaustive list of all areas within Dallas College that may constitute a limited public forum.
Non-Public Forums
Non-public forums are spaces that are not by tradition or designation a forum open for public expression. Use of such forums is restricted to their intended purpose and are not available for public expressive activity.
Examples of non-public forums include:
- Classrooms,
- Faculty and staff offices,
- Academic or administrative units,
- Libraries, and/or
- Computer laboratories.
This list is provided for reference only; it does not represent an exhaustive list of all areas within Dallas College that may constitute a non-public forum.
Note: In all cases, security needs, terror alerts, local and national events may affect the availability of a College space, irrespective of its designation . Information about existing requirements, restrictions, or security concerns will be published and/or discussed at the time a reservation request is processed.
Dallas College common outdoor areas, designated public forums, and limited public forums may be reserved by College persons and/or College organizations for expressive activity in accordance with applicable College policies and procedures. Members of the public may also, in accordance with College policies and procedures, reserve Dallas College common outdoor areas and designated public forums for expressive activity.
Common Outdoor Areas and Designated Public Forums. Unless otherwise provided herein, a reservation is not required, to use a common outdoor area or a designated public forum. However, the act of confirming a reservation ensures the availability of a space. If a person or group reserves a space in a common outdoor area or designated public forum for expressive activity, it will not be available for another person or group’s use or reservation during the reserved time.
Exceptions. For events or activities that that are expected to draw a crowd of more than 25 people, reservation and advance notice of no less than two weeks is recommended for common outdoor and designated public forums; reservation and notice is required for all other forums of the College in which expression by College persons, College organizations or members of the public is allowed. Reservations are also required to use amplified sound at any time. Persons and organizations are encouraged to seek a reservation that is suited to the anticipated size and purpose of the expressive activity.
Persons or groups seeking to reserve space for expressive activity, may request use of the space through Information Central, which is located on each campus of the College. If advance reservation is required or recommended for the activity (see section V), the reservation request is due at least two weeks in advance of the event to allow for any additional collaboration and/or coordination that may be required by a building/space proctor and/or College administration. Generally, use of a space will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. However, College-sponsored events have first priority on the use of campus facilities. Dallas College reserves the right to relocate any assembly to ensure that the activity does not interfere with College operations or the rights of others.
The decision to confirm a reservation for space will be based on proper and timely completion of the Reservation Request form, compliance with applicable laws and College policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, time, sound and sign requirements (see FLA (LOCAL)), and the availability of space. In no circumstance will the College base a decision regarding the use of College facilities on the content or viewpoint of the expressive activity or upon the expected reaction of others. If a reservation request is denied, the rationale for the decision will be provided in writing. The denial of a reservation request can be appealed to the Vice Chancellor of Operations or a designee.
At the time of the request the following information will be required:
- Location, date, and time requested for the event.
- General purpose of the event.
- List of planned activities (i.e., speech or rally, march with signs, distribution of literature, sit-in).
- Contact information for the person or organization sponsoring the event, as well as Contact information for an individual who will be present during the event.
- Special equipment requested.
- Anticipated attendance (i.e., number of people).
For registered or sponsored faculty, staff and student organizations, an officer of the sponsoring organization must be present for the duration of the event.
The following time, place and manner restrictions are intended to ensure expressive activity occurs in a manner that does not disturb the College’s educational mission or endanger public safety.
Time
The College takes seriously its responsibility to protect the safety of all persons on its campuses and therefore provides police protection through its Office of Public Safety to the College community and its visitors during regular business hours. To ensure the safety of the College environment, use of the College’s forums, including, but not limited to, common outdoor spaces and designated forums, by a College person or organization or member of the public to engage in expressive activity is restricted to those hours when the College is open for business, unless such use occurs with the prior approval of the College and in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures relating to the use of College facilities.
Amplified Sound
Registered or sponsored faculty, staff and student organizations and members of the public may use amplified sound on College campuses at designated times and locations, in accordance with College policies and procedures. Advance notice and reservation are required. All other sound must be kept at volume that would not interfere with any academic or other programs of the College.
No sound equipment is permitted in the following areas:
- Near Learning Commons
- Near Performance Hall
- Near Testing Center
- Near Classrooms
Note: Per Section 61.004 of the Texas Elections Code, groups making a political speech, or electioneering for or against any candidate, measure, or political party may not use amplified sound anywhere within 1000 feet of a polling place when the polling place is open.
Signage
A College person or organization may, in accordance with applicable laws and College policies and procedures, publicly display a sign on College property, by holding it or carrying it, displaying it at a table or by posting it on a bulletin board or other designated location.
Members of the public may display a sign in common outdoor areas by holding or carrying it by hand or attaching it to their person. No advance permission is required. Signs on sticks or poles or otherwise attached to any device are prohibited.
No object other than a sign may be posted on College District property.
Restrictions
Signs must not be larger than 22 inches by 28 inches, unless authorized by the Chancellor or designee. A sign shall not be attached or posted:
- To a shrub or plant;
- To a tree, except by string to its trunk;
- To a permanent sign installed for another purpose;
- To a fence or chain or its supporting structure;
- To a brick, concrete, or masonry structure;
- To a statue, monument, or similar structure;
- On or adjacent to a fire hydrant; or
- In a College District building, except on a bulletin board designated for that purpose.
Note: Electioneering, including, but not limited to, posting or affixing signs or other electioneering materials on walls, windows, grounds, planters, doors, trees, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, benches, poles, fixtures or any other equipment or surface of College property may only occur during the times a polling place is open and only during the early voting period.
Rules for Expression on Dallas College Campuses
- Disruptive Activity – Obstruction, disruption or interference with classes, research, administrative functions or other College activities is not permitted. Likewise, infringement on the rights of others is prohibited.
- Prohibited objects – Permitted activity does not include the use of sticks or batons, including metal, plastic, or wood poles affixed to signs.
- Fire – Open flames are prohibited.
- Reasonable Access – It is important to provide reasonable access to, and exit from, any office, classroom, laboratory, or building. Likewise, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic should not be obstructed. College persons and organizations and members of the public must allow at least a10-foot clearance around points of entry and the perimeter of all College buildings,
- Picketing – Picketing in an orderly manner outside of College buildings may be permitted. Such activities should not become disruptive, nor should they impede access. Picketing is not permitted inside College buildings, whether leased or owned.
- Literature may be distributed in accordance with applicable College policies. Such activities should not become disruptive, nor should they impede access.
- Symbolic Protest – Displaying a sign, gesturing, wearing symbolic clothing or otherwise protesting silently is permissible unless it is a disruptive activity or impedes access. In addition, such acts should not block the audience’s view or prevent the audience from being able to pay attention.
- Noise – Making sustained or repeated noise in a manner that substantially interferes with a speaker’s ability to communicate their message is not permitted. Noise levels should not interfere with classes, meetings, or activities in progress.
- Force or Violence – Any attempt to prevent a College activity or other lawful assembly by the threat or use of force or violence is not permissible.
- Masks – College persons and organizations and members of the public cannot obscure their faces with masks.
- Presenting Identification – In accordance with the Texas Education Code it is unlawful for any person on any property either owned or controlled by the College to refuse to identify themselves to a College official in response to a request. For the purposes of this regulation, a person identifies themself by presenting student or faculty/staff ID card or state issued ID card.
- Damage to Property – Any damage to College or personal property in the course of, or as a result of, an expressive activity is prohibited. Care should be taken to ensure that College and personal property is not damaged or destroyed. This includes the campus lawns, shrubs, and trees.
- Signs and Banners – Members of the public are not permitted to hang signs or banners on College buildings, landscaping, hardscape, or trees. College persons and organizations may apply for the use of a temporary banner space in a limited forum of the College.
- Other Dallas College Rules – All applicable Dallas College policies and procedures should be followed whenever engaging in activities on campus. Consult the Dallas College Policy Manual for further information.
All individuals participating in expressive activity are expected to comply with state and federal laws, municipal ordinances, and applicable Dallas College policies and procedures, including but not limited to this regulation. Failure to do so may result in immediate removal from the campus and/or any other action deemed appropriate under Dallas College policy and applicable law.