Demonstrations and Protests

Rules of Conduct for Demonstrations and Protests

Hamilton College is an educational community where students, faculty, and other members of the College Community, may engage in peaceful and orderly demonstrations or protests, provided that such activities are conducted in a time, place, and manner that respects the rights of other individuals to access the Campus, and does not interfere with the educational mission of the College. The College reserves the right to direct members of the public who are not members of the College Community to leave College property at any time and for any reason. Students who do not comply with these rules may be referred for discipline under the Code of Conduct. Other Members of the College Community may also be subject to disciplinary action for engaging in activity in violation of these rules.

1. Demonstrations and protests are considered campus events and should be registered with 25Live. Events should be registered at least 48 hours in advance to help ensure success; otherwise the event may not be able to continue as planned. The activities connected with the demonstration or protest must take place only in the area for which the event has been registered and during the time prescribed during the registration process.
2. Demonstrations and protest will only be registered for areas of the Campus open to the public. Examples of areas for which registration of demonstrations and protests will not be allowed are residence halls, faculty or administrative offices, and buildings being used for instruction.
3. Any sound amplification device to be used during a demonstration or protest must be approved during the registration process for the event.
4. The Campus includes many residence halls adjacent to the public areas of the campus and demonstrations and protests will only be registered for reasonable times, normally between 9 a.m. and 7:00 pm.
5. Demonstrations and protests will not be registered for spaces in buildings used for instruction or administration of the College.
6. Persons engaging in demonstrations and protests shall not impede others’ access to any area of the campus.
7. Persons engaging in demonstrations and protests may, if properly registered, process on campus sidewalks, but not in a manner that impedes access. Persons engaging in demonstrations or protests may not sit or otherwise occupy sidewalks or other roadways on the Campus.
8. Campus Safety, or other College officials, may ask persons engaging in demonstrations and protests to produce College-issued identification, to confirm that the person is a member of the College Community. Persons who cannot produce such College-issued identification may be directed to leave the Campus immediately. Students are obligated under the College’s Conduct policies to produce such identification upon the request of a College official.
9. No person may erect a structure, symbolic or otherwise, associated with a demonstration or protest without obtaining permission during the registration of the event. Tents, booths, makeshift dwellings, or other structures all must be dismantled and removed at the conclusion of the registered time for the event. Persons may not spend the night or otherwise dwell in these structures.
10. Demonstrators have the right to talk with people going in and out of College buildings, provided that the speech is respectful of the rights of others, and that access to the areas of the Campus is not impeded.
11. Demonstrators or others may pass out leaflets or pamphlets to persons who willingly accept the literature; however, they may not be affixed to public or private property or vehicles.
12. Demonstrators and protesters must be peaceful and orderly and must not stop or impede persons or vehicles moving legally in or about the vicinity of the demonstration. In the event that a demonstration or protest is not peaceful and orderly, the College may invoke procedures set forth in the College’s Policy on Freedom of Expression/Maintenance of Public Order.
13. Students who fail to adhere to these Rules may be referred for discipline pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.

Revised August 20, 2024