Policies

Policy and Procedures on Students Rights and Assembly

Policy Purpose

Farmingdale State College promulgates this policy to provide meaningful opportunities for members of our community to express their views and to ensure that the time, place, and manner of such expression does not interfere with the safety and security of our campus community or disrupt the regular operations of the campus.

Persons Affected

Students

Policy Statement

Farmingdale State College (the “College”) seeks to encourage and preserve freedom of expression and inquiry within the entire college community. The College, as a public institution, serves uniquely as a marketplace for the exchange of ideas and opinions and as a forum for the public expression of views. Some of the expressions may be counter to commonly held or popular values, theories, and beliefs. Farmingdale State College has a special obligation to protect the First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly. These rights are guaranteed by the United States and New York Constitutions.

This policy is applicable to all Farmingdale State College students as defined in the College’s Student Code of Conduct. The College’s “Use of Facilities by Third Parties for Free Speech” Policy applies to all third parties, who are not sponsored by the College and/or a recognized student group, who want to use the College’s designated public forum for free speech purposes.

Farmingdale State College students are guaranteed the rights of free inquiry and expression. Subject to applicable content-neutral policy, students are guaranteed the right to hold public meetings and engage in peaceful and orderly assemblies—including, but not limited to, protests, demonstrations, rallies, vigils, marches, and picketing—in and upon designated public areas of campus grounds and buildings.

Farmingdale State College designates the following as public areas for the purpose of peaceful and orderly assemblies: College Amphitheater and Great Lawn

Farmingdale State College will not interfere with orderly assemblies in designated public areas of grounds and buildings unless participants engage in any of the following:

1. Conduct that prevents the orderly administration of college classes, lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and other campus events or College operations;
2. Conduct that obstructs the free movement of vehicles or of persons, including, but not limited to in any building or facility, inclusive of blocking hallways and doors;
3. Engage in conduct that could foreseeably cause injury or damage to persons or property;
4. Operation of audio amplification equipment in a manner that conflicts with normal College operations or that is deemed injurious to health and safety, or that is in violation of town ordinances;
5. Constructing or erecting structures, whether or not they are anchored, inclusive of screens and/or objects requiring penetration in concrete or grass, or camp on College grounds without authorization from the Office of Facilities Operations, and indoor and outdoor encampment is generally prohibited (see campus policies on camping);
6. Possession and/or ignition of an open flame of any type, including, but not limited to, torches;
7. Assemblies lasting more than one day, duration not to exceed 12 hours in a one-day period, and assemblies between the hours of 10:00PM and 8:00AM are prohibited;
8. Activities that violate the provisions of SUNY Policy 3653, Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order; and
9. Activities that violate the College’s Student Code of Conduct or the provisions of any other applicable SUNY or campus policy.

In addition, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

1. Entry into any private office of an administrative officer, member of faculty, or staff member, or entry into any other college area that is not authorized, without permission;
2. Presence in a campus building after it is normally closed; and
3. Obstruction of any roadways running through or adjoining the College’s campus grounds.

All individuals participating in protests and demonstrations are required to provide a form of College issued or government issued identification upon request from a College official.

Farmingdale State College takes compliance with this policy very seriously. Students should expect that violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action under the College’s Student Code of Conduct, up to and including interim suspension, suspension, and expulsion.

Procedures

Farmingdale State College respects and supports students’ efforts to exercise their rights to free speech and assembly. The Division of Student Affairs has designated the Office of Student Activities to provide the appropriate support for the successful implementation of these events. Following College procedure will ensure a safe and effective assembly activity. Every effort will be made by the College to respond affirmatively to all requests to engage in assembly activity. However, consideration must be given to the time, place, and manner of the assembly activity to ensure the health and safety of the participants and the non-interference with authorized College business, activities, or events.

1. Services- To help ensure the safety of participants and the protection of the rights of all members of the campus community, the College can provide services such as location, safety, crowd control, sound equipment (unless prohibited in certain areas as per College rules), site preparation/cleanup, and/or other such facilities or services it deems necessary (“Services”).
   
   
   1. Request for Services - Assemblies for which Services are necessary should submit a request for Services to the Student Activities Office via RamCentral, as described below. Only student organizations can submit requests using RamCentral. Student sponsors/organizers that are not members of a student organization must contact the Director of Student Activities to request to engage in assembly activity on campus.
      
      

1. 1. 1. At least three (3) business days prior to the planned event a request should be submitted by completing the following:
         
         
         1. Log in to RamCentral
         2. Go to the student organization’s portal
         3. Click on “Events” at the top
         4. Click “Create an Event” on the right and fill in the details
         5. The request should contain the name of the sponsor/organizer, the proposed location and any other Services sought, the date and time of the planned assembly, and the number of persons expected to participate.
            
            
      2. Due to limited space at the College, when it is anticipated that participants for a particular assembly will equal or exceed ten (10) students, the sponsor/organizer must submit a request for Services.
      3. A professional staff member from the Office of Student Activities will promptly respond to the request for Services after receipt of the request and prior to the date of the assembly.
         
         
      4. A professional staff member will review the request and work with the sponsor/organizer to accommodate requests and determine a reasonable time, place, and manner for the assembly activity.
         
         
      5. While every attempt will be made to accommodate all requests, some modifications to the assembly activity request may be required due to the availability of the proposed time and place of the activity. An Office of Student Activities professional staff member will inform the sponsor/organizer of these modifications and guide the sponsor/organizer as they plan their assembly activity.
         
         
      6. In the event that the proposed assembly activity is planned in direct response to a current event, the Office of Student Activities realizes that it may not be possible to submit a request in advance. In such cases, the sponsor/organizer should connect as soon as possible with a liaison in the Office of Student Activities in order to swiftly coordinate the assembly activity.
         
         
   2. No Services Required- Assemblies requiring no Services (when it is anticipated that participants will not exceed ten (10) students) may take place without any prior notification by the sponsor/organizer. However, conformity with the specific campus rules noted above, is required. If a sponsor/organizer is unsure of whether their assembly requires Services, they should contact the Office of Student Activities at 934-420-2103 or studentactivities@farmingdale.edu for guidance.

Definitions

Public Area: Space designated by the College as open and not requiring a reservation for use. At the College, public areas are limited. These areas are often reserved for particular events and activities, but are otherwise open for general use by students. For information or questions about public areas, please contact Student Activities.

Assembly: A group of students gathering together in a public area for a common purpose. This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as protests, demonstrations, rallies, vigils, and picketing.

Related Documents

FSC Camping on Campus

FSC Identification Card Policy

SUNY Maintenance of Public Order

FSC Student Code of Conduct

Use of Facilities by Third Parties for Free Speech

Responsible Office

Office of Student Activities

Policy History

Effective date: April 18, 2018

Revised date: August 20, 2024