UCLA Policy 852 : UCLA Interim Policy 852: Public Expression Activities
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Issuing Officer: Administrative Vice Chancellor
Responsible Office: - Look Up Contact Person
Effective Date: September 4, 2024
Supersedes: UCLA Regulations on Use of Properties, dated 9/25/2017
Revision History: APP History

I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

UCLA is committed to First Amendment rights as a fundamental feature of our democracy and a crucial dimension of UCLA’s institutional and academic culture. In order to carry on its work of teaching, research, and public service, UCLA has an obligation to maintain conditions under which UCLA’s mission can go forward freely, in accordance with the highest standards of quality, institutional integrity, and freedom of expression, with full recognition by all concerned of the rights and privileges, as well as the responsibilities of those who are present at UCLA. The time, place, and manner of exercising the constitutionally protected First Amendment rights are subject to this Policy and related Use Policies, which have been formulated to provide reasonable access for open association, discussion, and debate while at the same time providing for the safe and orderly operation of the campus.

In addition to this Policy and related Use Policies, as outlined in UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property, Non-Affiliates must comply with The Regents of the University of California’s Regulations Governing Conduct of Non-Affiliates in the Buildings and on the Grounds of the University of California (“Regulations”), see Section V. References. Affiliates and Non-Affiliates alike must comply with applicable California law. For sections in the Policy that require prior approval by a Designated University Official that are not designated in this Policy, contact the Office of Administrative Vice Chancellor or UCLA Events Office.

II. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Policy:

See UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property Attachment A

III. POLICY STATEMENT

UCLA has designated certain areas of the UCLA Property for Public Expression Activities. UCLA may and does impose reasonable and content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner regulations on the exercise of Public Expression Activities in these designated areas, in order to preserve the safe and orderly operation of the campus. Public Expression Activities may be directed to cease subject to the review and approval by the Chancellor or a Designated University Official based on the Safety and Security Criteria and/or the Interference Criteria that will be evaluated in a content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral manner.

Public Expression Activities are permitted in the Areas for Public Expression, which are considered “designated Public Fora.”  Individual rights in other spaces are governed in UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property.  Public Expression Activities are permitted in other spaces with approval in accordance with UCLA Policy 860: Organized Events or UCLA Policy 862: Major Events.  

IV. REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC EXPRESSION ACTIVITIES 

A.  Areas for Public Expression (“designated Public Fora”)

UCLA has designated Areas for Public Expression on UCLA Property that may be used regardless of affiliation with UCLA and without prior scheduling on a first-come basis provided that there are no scheduled Organized or Major Events. The University will ensure that at least one of the Areas for Public Expression will be available at all times.

Public Expression Activities are not permitted at any time on the grounds of the University Residence, including the lawn area of the Ralph Cornell Grove.

1.  Place: The Areas for Public Expression are outlined below and in Attachment A, Map of Areas for Public Expression.

a.  Meyerhoff Park

b.  *Bruin Plaza between Pauley Pavilion and Meyerhoff Park

c.  **Plaza between Pauley Pavilion and James West Alumni Center

d.  East Bruinwalk between the Student Activities Center, Ackerman and north tip of Gateway Plaza

e.  Lawns and walkways between Meyerhoff Park, Student Activities Center, Janss Steps, and east side of Powell Library

f.  Southeast corner of Dickson Court South

g.  West outdoor entrance area of Murphy Hall

*Bruin Plaza is frequently reserved for Registered Campus Organizations (RCOs) and University Units. To use this space for Public Expression Activities, prior approval is required from either SOLE for RCOs or the UCLA Events Office for Non-RCO Events. Public Expression Activities that have not been pre-approved by SOLE or the UCLA Events Office may be relocated or denied access depending on the availability of other Public Expression Areas or impact to any University operation including scheduled events.

**The plaza between Pauley Pavilion and James West Alumni Center is utilized by events scheduled in Pauley Pavilion including UCLA athletic events. To use this space for Public Expression Activities, prior approval is required from UCLA Recreation. Public Expression Activities that have not been pre-approved by UCLA Recreation may be relocated or denied access depending on the availability of other Public Expression Areas or impact to any University operations including scheduled events.

2.  Time: The Areas for Public Expression are open between the hours of 6:00am and 12:00 midnight. Between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00am these areas and all other areas of campus are closed to all activities, including Areas for Public Expression, except the coming and going to/from a University building, crossing the campus, or as part of an Official University Function, Organized or Major Event.

3.  Manner:

a.  Individuals and groups may not impede or disrupt foot and vehicular traffic. Obstructing, disrupting, or otherwise interfering with the instructional, research, or administrative operations of the University, or any other person having lawful business with the University is not permissible. Reasonable access to and exit from classrooms, laboratories, parking structures, offices and buildings must be provided at all times.

b.  Violations of law are not permitted.

c.  Activities such as posting, displaying, carrying, and/or distributing posters, signs, banners, flags, or other similar displays, literature (including distribution of non-commercial literature) and tables, or other portable displays must be in accordance with UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property and section IV.4 of this Policy.

d.  Marching associated with a Public Expression Activity is governed by UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property.

e.  The following applies to Amplified Sound on the Areas for Public Expression:

i.  Amplified sound is permitted on BruinWalk without prior approval, except between the hours of midnight and 6am. When there is an Organized/Major Event in Bruin Plaza sound levels must be below 85 decibels and amplified sound not associated with the scheduled event is not permitted during the time of the event. 

ii.  Amplified Sound is not permitted on Dickson Court South or on BruinWalk in front of Engineering 6, except when approved by the UCLA Events Office as part of an Organized/Major Event.

iii.  In the other Areas for Public Expression, Amplified Sound is permitted from 12pm-1pm without prior approval, provided sound levels do not disrupt academic activities in adjacent buildings.  Amplified Sound is not permitted on the 10th & 11th weeks of a quarter without prior approval from the UCLA Events Office.

iv.  Except as expressly provided in this paragraph (e), use of Amplified Sound and sound levels must be in accordance with UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property.

4.  Additional Regulations for East Bruin Walk: In accord with UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property, the following additional regulation below applies:

Tables on East Bruin Walk

The existing tables on East Bruin Walk can be utilized on a first-come basis except when a Designated University Official reserves a few tables for the purpose of maintaining access for Registered Campus Organizations. Due to the limited space available on East Bruin Walk, table usage will be limited to one table per organization.

When using a table on East Bruin Walk, the display area is limited to the table and the area immediately behind it. Displays on East Bruin Walk must be attended at all times. The name of the sponsoring organization must be visible at the table. 

V. REFERENCES

  1. UCLA Policy 850: General Use of University Property

  2. UCLA Policy 860: Organized Events

  3. UCLA Policy 862: Major Events

  4. UCLA Policy 850.1: Placement of Temporary Structure on UCLA Campus

  5. Conduct of Non-Affiliates in the Buildings and on the Grounds of the University of California

  6. UC PACAOS 30: Policy on Speech and Advocacy

  7. UC PACAOS 40: Policy on Use of University Properties

  8. UC APM-010: Academic Freedom

  9. OGC Guidance on political activities  

VI. ATTACHMENTS

 

 

 

ISSUING OFFICER
/s/ Beck, Michael


Administrative Vice Chancellor