UCLA

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.

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 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”). 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 who is not designated in this Policy, contact the Office of Administrative Vice Chancellor or UCLA Events Office.

This Policy applies to all Employees, except insofar as their applicable collective bargaining agreement or the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) requires otherwise.

II. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Policy:

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

Defined terms are capitalized throughout this Policy.

III. POLICY STATEMENT

UCLA may and does impose viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner regulations on the exercise of Public Expression Activities 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, all of which will be evaluated in a viewpoint-neutral manner.

IV. REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC EXPRESSION ACTIVITIES 

A.  Areas for Public Expression Activities

UCLA welcomes Public Expression Activities on the majority of outdoor areas of UCLA Property in accordance with University and UCLA policies, with most areas requiring prior approval (see section IV.2.b., below), some areas not requiring prior approval (see Section IV.2.a., below), and limited areas not available to be used at all (see Section IV.2.c., below).

1.  Time

Public Expression Activities may occur 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, except the coming and going to/from a University building, crossing the campus, as part of an Official University Function, or Organized/Major Event.

2.  Place

a.  Areas for Public Expression Not Requiring Prior Approval (Designated Areas for Public Expression)

Campus has identified areas of campus as Designated Areas for Public Expression. These areas are highly scheduled, but when not previously scheduled these Designated Areas of Public Expression may be used by the UCLA community, including Non-Affiliates, without prior approval on a first-come first serve basis. To avoid scheduling conflicts, contact UCLA Events Office.

Designated Areas for Public Expression are outlined below and in Attachment A, Map of Designated Areas for Public Expression.

1. Meyerhoff Park
2. Bruin Plaza
3. East Pauley Plaza (Plaza between Pauley Pavilion and James West Alumni Center) 
4. East Lawns of Student Activities Center and Janss Hillside
5. Southeast corner of Dickson Court South
6. West outdoor entrance area of Murphy Hall
7. Northwest corner of Le Conte and Westwood
8. East Bruin Walk (from the ASUCLA info kiosk to Meyerhoff Park)

Groups and/or individuals engaged in Public Expression Activities that conflict with a scheduled event and/or Disrupt other campus activities or operations, will be asked to move to a different location. Failure to do so may subject the group and/or individual to arrest and/or discipline to the extent provided by law, University and UCLA policies, and any relevant collective bargaining agreements.

b.  Areas for Public Expression Requiring Prior Approval

Engaging in Public Expression Activities in areas that do not fall within the Designated Areas for Public Expression (see section IV.2.a.) require prior approval, with exceptions set out in section c. below. Advance notification helps facilitate activities in a constructive and peaceful manner, including minimizing Disruptions to other campus activities or operations.  

Contact the UCLA Events Office as soon as possible to schedule your Public Expression Activity in areas outside of the Designated Areas for Public Expression. The review and approval of requests will be based on the Safety and Security Criteria and/or the Interference Criteria, all of which will be evaluated in a content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral manner.

c.  Areas Not Permitted for Public Expression Activities

Public Expression Activities are not permitted at any time in the following areas:

i. on the grounds of the University Residence (home of the Chancellor), including the lawn area of the Ralph Cornell Grove;

ii.  inside any buildings or parking lots/structures (for distribution of non-commercial literature, see UCLA Policy 850);

iii.  in certain areas that may be temporarily limited in order to reduce safety risks for members of the University community; and

iv.  in areas that already have a scheduled Organized/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. Unrestricted access to and exit from classrooms, laboratories, parking structures, offices, and buildings must be provided at all times.

b.  Violations of law or University and UCLA policies 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) or other portable displays must be in accordance with UCLA Policy 850 and section IV.3.g of this Policy.

d.  Marching on UCLA Property associated with a Public Expression Activity may occur throughout outdoor hardscape spaces on UCLA Property except on the on-campus areas reserved for other activities, provided that it is not Disruptive and that it is in accordance with this Policy, UCLA Use Policies, and University policies.

Amplified sound is allowed while Marching, provided that sound levels do not exceed a measured 85 decibels or otherwise Disrupt campus activities or operations.

Marches must be constantly moving from one location to another location. Gathering is permitted in the Designated Areas for Public Expression in accordance with this Policy, and gathering locations outside these areas require permission from the UCLA Events Office (see IV.A.2.b).

e.  Amplified sound is permitted in the Designated Areas for Public Expression without prior approval, provided that it does not exceed a measured 85 decibels or otherwise Disrupt campus activities and operations. Amplified sound in areas outside the Designated Areas for Public Expression requires approval from the UCLA Events Office. (See also UCLA Policy 850, Section IV.C.7.)

Amplified and non-amplified sound levels (see UCLA Policy 850, Section IV.C.7 for additional info) cannot Disrupt campus operations or activities.

f.  Tables, equipment, booths, and other like structures and portable displays, regardless of whether the activity is in a Designated Area for Public Expression or non-designated area, requires prior approval by the UCLA Events Office. If approved, equipment and structures or portable displays must be attended at all times by the individual or group. Approval will be given on a first come, first served basis, based on the Safety and Security Criteria and Interference Criteria and be given or refused only on a content-neutral basis and viewpoint-neutral basis.

g.  Additional Regulations for East Bruin Walk: In accord with UCLA Policy 850, 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. 

B. Compliance and Enforcement with University Policies

If your Public Expression Activity becomes Disruptive, campus safety personnel or another Designated University Official may ask you to relocate, lower your volume, or stop, in which case you are required to do so.

All participants engaged in Public Expression Activities must follow the direction of campus safety personnel and other Designed University Officials. This includes temporarily removing a mask or showing your Bruin ID or other requested ID for identification purposes.

If individuals fail to comply with University policies and/or the directions of campus safety personnel and other Designated University Officials, the campus safety personnel or Designated University Official will respond depending on the circumstances and/or policy violation and individuals may be subject to arrest, and/or discipline as provided by law, University and UCLA policies, and any relevant collective bargaining agreements.

V. REPORITNG A POLICY VIOLATION

To report a violation of this Policy or related campus Use Policies (a.k.a. TPM policies), as outlined in UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property, go to https://www.tpm.ucla.edu.  

VI. 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  

VII. ATTACHMENTS