Dean of Students Offi ce

Academy Hall, 4 th Floor

MEMORANDUM
TO:

Rensselaer Campus Community

FROM:

Mark Smith, Dean of Students

DATE:

2014-2016

RE:

Policies Relating to Peaceful Assembly

As we find our country in the midst of a war and/or where political, religious, and
social beliefs might conflict, it is important to remind ourselves that we are
members of an academic community. As members of this community, we are
committed to the sharing and debate of ideas that will enlighten and encourage
members of our community to examine and reflect on the nature and credibility of
expressed ideas and their impact on local, national, and global scenes.
At the same time, Rensselaer is committed to a discourse that is civil in its
presentation and will not impede the expression of opposing views through
harassment, discrimination, verbal and physical confrontation. It is important to
remind our community that public order and appropriate expression of ones views
is expected of members of the Rensselaer community. This expectation for civil and
appropriate conduct are outlined below and detailed in the 2014-2016 Edition of the
Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
These excerpts are intended to represent relevant statements from the full text on
the designated pages of The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and
Responsibilities.
Article V: Freedom in Student Life, Section B, #1 (Relevant Excerpt;
not intended to be the full text; for full text, consult The Rensselaer
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 2014-2016, page 6)
Students and student groups shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of
interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They shall be free
to support causes by orderly means, including peaceful assembly, which do not
disrupt the normal operation of the Institute. Unless otherwise authorized,
students and student groups speak only for themselves in their public expressions
or demonstrations.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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110 8th Street | Troy, NY 12180-3590 | Troy Building, 4th Floor

Phone (518) 276-6266 | Fax (518) 276-4839 | Email smithm@rpi.edu

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Rules for Maintenance of Public Order

Henderson Act (Relevant Excerpt; not intended to be the full text; for full text, consult
The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 2014-2016, pages
27 - 30)
Education Law Section 6430-6435 requires:
prohibit, among other things, any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally
endangers mental or physical health or involves forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the
purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization.
That freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are essential to academic freedom, and
that all members of the university community should be able to express their views by words
and actions and to express by words and actions their opposition to the views and opinions of
others. But, in order to preserve these rights all members of the university community have
a responsibility to conduct themselves so that such rights may be exercised without
interfering with the rights of others and without fear of violence or injury or interference.

PROCEDURES:
Only peaceful demonstrations not otherwise prohibited are appropriate in this academic
community and the Trustees are confident that no member or group of the Institute
community will go beyond the bounds set by these regulations. In order to maintain the safety
and to safeguard the interests of all members of the Institute community, any group or
individual planning a demonstration must submit an Application For Approval of Peaceful
Demonstration to the Dean of Students Office at least seven (7) days prior to the proposed
demonstration date and include its proposed location and the object of the intended protest,
or other purpose.
An application otherwise consistent with Rensselaer policies but submitted less than seven (7)
days in advance will be considered by the Dean of Students if he/she can reasonably assure
student safety and safeguard the interests of all members of the Rensselaer community. Such
an application elected to be reviewed by the Dean of Students may then be rejected only if, in
the judgment of the Institute, holding the event with fewer than seven days planning on the
part of the Institute might compromise the safety and welfare of the Institute community.
At any demonstration, meeting, or other occasion, judgment as to whether the regulations are
being observed shall be made at the scene by the Dean of Students or designee. The Dean of
Students or designee may, before making a judgment, consult with appropriate individuals at
the scene who are not involved in the demonstration, meeting, or other occasion.
Responsibility for exercising such judgment shall rest solely with the Dean of Students or
designee. It must be emphasized that judgment as to whether the regulations are being
observed shall not be exercised by demonstrators, those demonstrated against, or spectators
in contradiction to the expressed judgment of the Dean of Students or designee, except at the
risk of such individuals.

Please be advised that compliance with and adherence to all stated policies and
regulations is mandatory. These include the Institute Sign Policy, pages 32-34, and
Rensselaer Electronic Citizenship Policy, page 22.
If you have any questions or need clarification, please advise the Dean of Students
at least 7 days prior to the scheduled event.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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NOTES

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D EAN OF S TUDENTS
A CADEMY H ALL , 4 T H F LOOR

APPLICATION TO HOLD A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION

An application must be received in the Dean of Students Office 7 Days Prior to the
proposed demonstration date, in order to be considered for approval. Notification of
Approval/ Disapproval will be made within 2 business days after receipt of application. An
application submitted less than seven days in advance will be considered by the Dean of
Students when he/she can reasonably assure student safety and to safeguard the interests
of the Rensselaer community.
Name of Contact Person
Contact Information:
Cell Phone Number
Address
Email
Name of Student Organization
Proposed Date and Time

MM/DD/YYYY

Start Time

End Time

# Hrs

Proposed Location
Object / Subject of Intended Demonstration

Projected Number of Participants

How will this event be advertised (attach copy of poster or leaflet)
I

(print name), on behalf of

(organization
name), have read, understand, and agree to abide by the Rensselaer Rules For
Maintenance of Public Order, which can be found on page 27, The Rensselaer
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities 2014-2016. If appropriate, I have
also read, understand, and agree to abide by the Rensselaer Sign Policy, found on page
35, The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities 2014-2016, and the
Rensselaer Electronic Citizenship Policy, which can be obtained at
www.rpi.edu/web/comec/. These policies may also be included in this packet.
Signed:

Date:
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND DELIVERED TO THE
DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE, ATTN: MARK SMITH, DEAN OF STUDENTS

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PHONE: 518-276-6266

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EMAIL: smithm@rpi.edu