Students' Right to Assembly

Students who wish to present issues to the college community relative to on- or off- campus questions, whether as a means of collecting or registering opinions of support or protest or of simply collecting comments on topics of interest and concern to the student body, shall be afforded the opportunity to do so.

Bristol Community College will respect and defend the right of its members to lawful exercise of free speech and assembly on behalf of causes, whether popular or unpopular. These rights are properly exercised only when due regard for the rights of others to move or speak freely are respected. Interference with others’ rights whether or not such interference is intentional lays outside Constitutional guarantees and the obligation of the college to defend it. Therefore:

• The students who are primarily involved in organizing the assembly must present a signed, written notice of their intent to the Director of Student and Family Engagement.
• The Director of Student and Family Engagement will provide a location for the tables, demonstrations, etc., in an appropriate location in college buildings or on the college grounds.
• Students may not interfere with the normal operation of the college or its agencies. Students must set up in such a manner as not to interfere with the right of members of the college community to use facilities of the college without deviating from their normal traffic flow.
• Students must comply with the directives, regulations and laws established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Student Senate and civil authorities.
• Students may not violate published college regulations and other regulations which may be enacted.
• Students may not create an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or disorderly educational environment.
• Students’ actions must not be disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene in nature. 
• Persons who are not members of the college community (students, faculty and staff) are not entitled to participate in these activities on college property.
• All the normal rules and regulations governing the posting and distributing of printed or other graphic material, and prohibiting solicitation on campus, will apply. Those persons who are engaged in an activity which is in violation of the regulations above, or which results in physical damage to the property of the college or its agencies, shall be held personally responsible and may be referred to the proper college authorities for disciplinary action.