Protests and Demonstrations Guidelines

This Guidance applies to the following:

A. All Bryn Mawr College students, faculty, staff, guests, visitors, and registered student organizations, and

B. All activities, including but not limited to events, gatherings, teach-ins, protests, and demonstrations, taking place on campus, regardless of whether they are spontaneous or scheduled in advance.

C. These Guidelines do not extend to protests and demonstrations taking place off campus.

The College prioritizes both expressive freedom and institutional integrity. Clarity in policy is critical to achieving that balance.  To ensure the broadest possible protections for freedom of expression and support, members of the College community may:

A. Assemble peacefully on Merion Green and similar areas provided it does not block building entrances, disrupt College operations, or interfere with research or the education of students.

B. March through campus walkways as long as pedestrian and emergency access remains unobstructed.

C. Host a teach-in, vigil, panel discussion, or film screening.

D. Distribute flyers and leaflets.

E. Post signs, banners, or chalking in designated areas and in accordance with the Posting Policy. For example, chalking on walkways (that are not historic surfaces or safety hazards) is supported.

F. Wear armbands, T-shirts, or buttons to show solidarity with a movement during class or events, provided it does not materially interfere with instruction or employment.

To ensure the broadest protection of free expression, we provide the following non-exclusive examples of conduct that would interfere with the free expression of others, disrupt the operations of the College or create health, safety, or welfare concerns:

A. Entering a private event or refusing to relocate from a building or area that is closed or limited to invited guests

B. Preventing audience members from entering an event or disrupting the speaker once the event has begun

C. Preventing members of a class from being able to hear a lecture, presentation, or take an exam

D. Preventing a speaker from giving a lecture or presentation by shouting or otherwise creating a significant interruption

E. Engaging in expression that targets individuals with harassment, threats, or incitement to commit violence

F. Excluding, isolating, or targeting individuals based on their actual or perceived association with a particular nationality, ethnic, religious, or racial group

G. Obstructing passage into or out of College buildings by blocking doorways, pathways, impeding traffic or obstructing the visibility of buildings

H. Preventing College employees from entering their workplace or preventing students from entering residence halls, classrooms, dining halls, etc.

I. Defacing, removing, or covering flyers or posters or removing the property of others

J. Failing to provide identification or identify oneself upon request.  Bryn Mawr College affiliates, guests, and/or nonaffiliates participating in protests, demonstrations, or other acts of free expression on our College campus are expected to provide identification upon request.

K. Organizing encampments, assembling tents, or temporary structures on campus without prior approval.

L. Participating in any overnight demonstrations on any campus location

M. Using sound amplifiers (e.g., bullhorns or speakers) inside College buildings without prior approval.

N. Engaging in speech, including social media, that threatens the health and safety of our community, incites violence, or constitutes threats or harassment directed at a specific person or group (including threats based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, disability, age, or other protected status).

O. Using Bryn Mawr College technical infrastructure, including college computers, networks, licensed services and software, and messaging systems to interrupt college operations, business, or functions, or threaten or incite harassment or violence.

These Guidelines are intended to support the College community in organizing meaningful gatherings while ensuring campus operations remain safe and effective.  These Guidelines also consolidate and clarify existing policies related to events, space usage, demonstrations, and expression.

A. Pre-Planning and Accountability

1. Bryn Mawr community members are required to comply with the Facilities Use and Reservations policy. Our existing event scheduling platform should be used to reserve locations for speakers or other expressive activities using dedicated space, including tabling, installations, and camping.
2. Pre-scheduling demonstration or protest activities is strongly encouraged but not required. Such pre-scheduling can help reduce the potential for conflicts with other scheduled activities and address any health or safety needs through pre-event planning. There may be circumstances in which it is not possible to meet this expectation, for example in the case of a spontaneous demonstration or a protest held in response to an unanticipated event. In such cases, organizers should contact the College as soon as possible.
3. Even in circumstances where events are not pre-scheduled, organizers are responsible for ensuring that the demonstration complies with College Policies and all the other provisions of these Guidelines and for contacting the College as soon as possible.
4. Indoor demonstrations or protest activity will be subject to regular building rules. Priority for space usage will be given to academic programs and College-recognized groups.
5. Non-affiliated individuals must comply with all College policies, guidelines and instructions from authorized officials, or they will be escorted off campus.
6. Faculty, staff, and students may invite guests (i.e., those individuals or groups not formally affiliated with the College) to join in acts of public expression on campus, but Faculty, staff, and students and student clubs are responsible for informing their guests of College guidelines and policies and are accountable for the actions of their guests.

B. Use of College Spaces and Event Sponsorship

1. Use of large, shared spaces (such as Merion Green or Great Hall) must submit requests at least two weeks in advance.
2. Use of space after-hours must be approved and confirmed by Conference and Events.
3. Requests for sound amplification must be submitted as part of the space reservation process.  See Section C for more information.
4. Encampments or overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any campus location.
5. Structures (e.g., tents, banners on poles) require approval from the Dean’s Office who may consult with Facilities Services and/or Campus Safety as needed to determine impact to campus grounds and safety of the community.
6. Demonstrations are not allowed in the following spaces:
   1. Private offices, residences, or labs;
   2. Libraries, archives, and museums;
   3. Classrooms in use or immediately scheduled for any purpose;
   4. Campus buildings housing essential operations (e.g., safety, health services, LITS);
   5. Sculptures, fountains, or other College art installations.
7. Bryn Mawr-affiliated individuals and groups may not sponsor events on behalf of non-affiliated organizations to bypass College policies.
8. Contracts related to campus events must be reviewed by the Student Engagement Office (for student organizations) or the Office of the Provost (for academic events). Students lack authority to execute contracts on behalf of the College.

C. Sound

1. Indoor Spaces: Events that include amplified sound in shared indoor spaces must submit requests at least two weeks in advance.
2. Outdoor Spaces:  Amplified sound is allowed in outdoor spaces when classes are not in session and does not disrupt the education of students or operation of the College. Demonstration organizers and participants should be aware that the use of public streets for protests or demonstrations is subject to Lower Merion Township and/or Montgomery County regulations and may require a permit.
3. Subject to the limitations above and other campus policies, amplified sound may not disrupt the education of students, College activities, or College operations on any day of the week, including weekends.

D. Posters, Signs, Banners, and Chalking

1. All registered student clubs/organizations and members of the community must follow the Posting Policy as outlined; failure to follow the policy may result in a social honor board or Dean’s Panel.
2. Posters and banners must be removed within 24 hours of an event’s conclusion or within two weeks of posting.
3. Only washable chalk may be used and must be limited to ground-level outdoor surfaces. No chalk, signage, or spray paint is allowed on buildings, sculptures, or directional signage.
4. Tampering with or removing approved signage by others is a violation of these Guidelines.

E. Livestreaming, Filming, and Media Access

1. ​​​​​​​Events held in College-managed spaces may not be livestreamed without prior approval from the Office of Communications and Marketing and the Dean’s Office.
2. Media outlets must present credentials and may be asked to restrict photography or videography to specific areas during demonstrations.
3. Media outlets are not allowed inside any Bryn Mawr buildings without approval from the Office of Communications and Marketing.

F. Use of the Bryn Mawr College Name and Branding

1. ​​​​​​​Use of the College’s name, logo, or other identifiers in connection with events or publications must be approved by the Office of Communications and Marketing.
2. Personal activities may not imply endorsement by Bryn Mawr College
3. Students, faculty, or staff may list their affiliation as needed, but are prohibited from using Bryn Mawr College brand elements on personal social media accounts, business communications, or other personal endeavors in ways that might be interpreted as representing Bryn Mawr College.

G. Reporting

Reports of doxxing, cyberbullying, threats, or other safety concerns should be directed to Campus Safety at 610-526-7911 or submitted through the online reporting portal.  To learn more about what doxxing is and how to protect yourself, visit Bryn Mawr’s Protecting Against Doxxing page.

If you ever experience discrimination or harassment, or witness someone else as a target, contact Cary Carr, Associate Director of Civil Rights and Bias Response at ccarr1@brynmawr.edu or 610-526-7863.

•  
• Equal Opportunity Statement and Statement of Policies Concerning Sexual Harassment and Other Forms of Harassment and Discrimination
• Policies, Guidelines, and Handbooks
•