Commitment to supporting the University's mission
The University’s policies, rules, and regulations are designed to support the University’s mission of education, research, and public service.
The University has explicit policies that protect and foster extensive opportunities for free expression, speech, and assembly. In addition, academic freedom protects freedom of inquiry and research, teaching, and expression and publication. The University also has policies that comply with federal and state laws, protect lawful access to University programs and facilities, address unsafe behavior and aim to prevent the destruction of property. These policies apply regardless of the cause or content of a particular protest, speech, or other form of expression, or whether the conduct involves expression at all.
While systemwide policies affirm the constitutionally protected rights of all members of the University community regarding free expression, speech, and assembly, these activities should not disrupt the University’s functions, impede orderly operations, or place community members in reasonable fear for their personal safety (Policy Regents Policy 3303: Policy on Employee and Student Protections Related to Student Press and Student Free Speech Rights), Policy on Speech and Advocacy (PACAOS 30)(link is external), Policy on Use of University Properties (PACAOS 40)(link is external), as well as policies listed on the "Policies limiting certain types of expressive activity" page.
Tiered response
If violations of local, state and federal law or University’s Time, Place, Manner and Expressive Activity policies occur, they will be addressed with the following consistent tiered response, with an emphasis on providing community members with multiple opportunities to adjust their conduct:
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Initially, people engaged in committing a policy violation should be informed of the violation and asked to change their conduct. Multiple requests may be made, and compliance with the requests means the response will not be escalated.
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If the people involved do not comply with requests to alter their conduct, they will be warned about potential consequences and directed to comply. If the conduct continues, UC Police Department (UCPD) and/or Campus Fire Marshal will assess the situation and, based on their assessment, may issue an unlawful assembly notice/announcement, orders to disperse, orders to identify oneself, or other relevant orders.
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In the final phase of tiered response, people who refuse to change their conduct as directed may be cited for a violation of the relevant University policy. If they are breaking the law they may be cited, detained and arrested for unlawful behavior, or subject to other police actions. Stay-away orders may be issued for higher severity violations and/or for repeat offenses. The University may utilize University of California Police Departments or other state or local law enforcement agencies to maintain the health and safety of the University community.
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Members of the University community who are arrested for unlawful behavior must have their conduct evaluated for potential violations of University policy. Members of the University community who are cited for a violation of University policy must go through the applicable campus review process (Please see the UC Board of Regents statement).
While the tiered response outlines consistent expectations in many situations, it is not a rigid prescription that will capture all situations, all specific violations of policy or law, or all response actions. It does not dictate a specific timeframe. A tiered response does not mean a slow response but one that fits the situation and the resources to address it. Specifically, if violation of policy or law poses an immediate threat to life safety or critical University functions, the University will act accordingly and mobilize the appropriate resources, which may include UCPD, Campus Fire Marshal, and/or other resources to respond. Life safety is defined as imminent threat of harm or endangerment to people and/or systems designed to protect people from immediate harm (i.e., fire detection and suppression systems). This is consistent with the University’s established tiered response approach, where an escalation of threat to life safety or of disruption to operations demands a rapidly escalated response. The tiered response approach outlined above is rooted in the best practices and recommendations of the Robinson-Edley report and the Community Safety Plan to encourage free expression while safeguarding the rights of all members to teach, study, and exchange ideas freely.