Office of Origin: Marketing
Responsibility: Executive Director of Marketing  Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs  Vice President, Student Affairs  Executive Director, Mendel Center Operations  
Original Date Adopted: 10-24-08 
Dates Reviewed: 8-5-20, 8-20-21(C), 10-20-21 (C), 10-9-24
Last Date Board Approved: 8-5-20, 12-10-24

Freedom of thought and expression is essential to any institution of higher learning. Uncensored speech - which does not include a right to harass, injure, or silence others is essential in an academic community. Members of the Lake Michigan College (the College) community should understand those standards of civility, consideration, and tolerance must shape our interactions with each other. Infringing upon the expression of views, either by interfering with a speaker or by defacing or removing properly posted or distributed notices or materials, will not be tolerated.  

The College reserves the right to control the time, place, and manner of events that occur on campus. The College does not seek to censor the expression of ideas, but rather to maintain campus safety and order. Protesters may be assigned to particular places 100 feet from the event on campus by College staff or their representative. Demonstrations by members of the College community may occur on campus but must not disrupt the regular operation of the College.  

In addition, the event sponsor must consult with the Executive Director, Marketing for an employee-sponsored event, the Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs for an academic event, or the Vice President, Student Affairs for a student organization event regarding the logistical arrangements.  Outside client events must consult with the Executive Director, Mendel Operations. 

Guidelines for Dissent and Protest 

1. The scheduling of a speaker or event known or considered to provoke public controversy requires adequate notice.  
   • (a) Large Groups – any person or group whose use of an outdoor area is expected or reasonably likely to have more than one hundred people should notify the Executive Director of Facilities Management at least five business days before the day of the activity and provide information related to the specific location, estimated expected number of persons, and the name and contact information of a least one person who can be contacted regarding logistics of activities, which shall include at least one person who will be physically present at the event or activity.
   • (b) Students – any student or student group may seek to reserve the use of specific outdoor areas by contacting the Director of Campus Life at at least five business days prior to the activity.
2. Dissent is welcome at the College; disruption of College activities will not be tolerated.  
3. Students, employees and guests are free to support causes by orderly means that do not disrupt College operations or activities.  
4. Individual members of the College community speak only for themselves in their public expressions or demonstrations. College Marketing Services coordinates and issues all institutional response to the media.  
5. Members of the College community may distribute literature where it will not interfere with classes or any other College function. Literature may only be posted on the public bulletin board space l o c a t e d i n e a c h facility. Political campaign posters and other such materials are not allowed to be installed on college property. 
6. Protesters may neither impede nor harass people wishing to attend an event or to see or hear a speaker.    
7. Protesters will be assigned to designated external spaces by college staff or their representative, which will be no less than 100 feet from the event. Protesting inside buildings or other indoor spaces on campus is strictly prohibited.
8. Disruption, force, or threat of force is not an acceptable form of protest at the College and will not be tolerated.   
9. Any individual whom the College deems to violate this policy will be considered a trespasser, and the appropriate law enforcement will be notified.  
10. The College may, at its discretion, call upon law enforcement agencies for assistance and/or may impose its own disciplinary sanctions upon person(s) who violate this policy.  
11. Camping and overnight occupation of public space on Lake Michigan College property by external individuals and/or organizations is prohibited. Property includes all LMC campuses, grounds, facilities, and property owned, operated, or controlled by the college. Camping is defined as the use of any part of the campus for living accommodation purposes, such as establishment of temporary or permanent living quarters, sleeping
    outdoors after normal business hours, making preparations for overnight sleeping (including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping), storing personal belongings, using any tent or similar structure for sleeping, sleeping in, on or under parked vehicles, or setting up temporary or permanent sleeping areas outdoors or in structures not designated for human occupancy. Camping does not include the use of
    College Property that has been designated as sleeping areas.
12. Camping may be permitted by students, faculty, or staff in connection with college events which require overnight occupancy at the site of activity, if approved in advance by Campus Life and Facilities Management.

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