Procedure 1.10.01

Part 1. Purpose

This procedure provides guidance to students, employees, and members of the public on how to seek prior approval and obtain a permit to conduct freedom of expression/public expression activities on campus.

Prior approval and a permit must be granted by the relevant college department before public expression activities may take place on campus.

This procedure does not apply to reserving rooms or space on campus. For information regarding the space reservation processes, see Policy 8.01 and Procedure 8.01.01.

The College maintains its right to establish reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of public speech and expression to preserve the educational and business functions of the College.

Part 2. Public Expression Permit Request Process and Standards

Public expression activities must abide by all college and Minnesota State system policies and procedures, and all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. (See Policy1.10 Freedom of Expression on Campus for further details.)

Permits will not be denied based on the content or subject matter of the expression.

Subpart A. Who to Contact to Request and Obtain a Public Expression Permit

Students, employees, and members of the public must request a public expression permit by submitting a public expression permit application to the appropriate college department.

Students and officially recognized student organizations who want to conduct a public expression event or activity are required to obtain a permit from the Director of Student Life before the public expression activity.

Student Life can be contacted at:

• Phone: 612-659-6761
• Email: Student.Life@minneapolis.edu

Members of the public who want to conduct a public expression event or activity (such as a protest or demonstration) must obtain a permit from the College’s Public Safety Department at least three (3) days in advance of any public expression event or activity.

Employees who want to conduct a public expression event or activity are required to obtain a permit from the Public Safety Department before the public expression event or activity.

• Phone: 612-659-6910
• Email: public.safety@minneapolis.edu

Inquiries for a permit/permit application will be responded to by the relevant department within two (2) business days.

Subpart B. Submitting Permit Application & Information Needed When Applying for Permit

Permit applications must be submitted to the relevant department. For students and student organizations, this is Student Life. For employees and members of the public, this is the Public Safety Department.

The following information must be provided via the permit application:

• Description of the activity
• The intent/purpose of the activity, or why the opportunity for the public expression activity is being sought
• Estimated/Planned number of people who will be participating
• Dates and times for requested activity
• Contact information for:
  • The requesting individual (including current phone number and email address)
  • The name and contact information for the organization or event lead/manager if they are different from the requestor and
  • The contact information for affiliated organization(s) for the public expression activity (if applicable)
• If the public expression activity plans to use signs, banners, or similar items
• If the public expression activity plans to distribute items or materials (flyers, handouts, or other items) and
• If the public expression activity wishes to have activities that require specific, additional prior approval. These include the use of:
  • Temporary structures, and
  • Fire or flammable items.

See College Policy1.10 Freedom of Expression and Policy 8.01 Facilities Use for further information and relevant restrictions.

Subpart C. Permit Application Meeting

Upon submission of the permit application to the relevant college department, the director or designee from that department will meet with the requestor to review the permit application to ensure the College and requestor understand the request made through the application. During this meeting, the director or designee from the relevant department will also go through relevant policies and regulations to ensure the requestor is aware of, and understands, pertinent rules.

The relevant department will either approve or deny the permit application request based on the public expression permit application and the review of the permit application and relevant rules with the requestor.

Subpart D. Granting of Public Expression Permit

Upon approval of the public expression activity, the relevant department shall issue a physical permit to the requestor. This department must also email a copy of the permit to the email address provided by the requestor in the permit application.

The permit document will include:

• The requestor’s name
• Organization’s name (if relevant)
• Planned or estimated number of attendees/participants
• Date(s) and time(s) of the public expression activity/activities
• If there will be banners, signs, flyers, etc.
• Any specific, additional permissions granted by the College for the activity and
• Any other pertinent information.

For the permit to be valid, the permit must be signed by the Director of Student Life or designee and the requestor for permits granted to students or officially recognized student organizations.

For the permit to be valid, the permit must be signed by the Director of Public Safety or designee and the requestor for permits granted to members of the public or employees.

The requestor must have the physical permit with them and be present during the public expression activity.

Subpart E. Reasons Why the College Might Deny a Public Expression Permit Request

Minneapolis College reserves the right to deny a public expression permit request if the proposed public expression activity has a high likelihood of disrupting the education and business purposes of the College. The College may err on the side of caution to ensure the safety of the college community.

The College reserves the right to deny a public expression permit request if the proposed activity intends to conduct speech or expression activities that are not protected. (See College Policy 1.10 Freedom of Expression on Campus, Part 5. For more information.)

The College reserves the right to deny or work with the requester to adjust the timing of the public expression activity based on related college staffing needs due to such activity.

Part 4. Appeals for Denied Permit Requests

If a public expression permit request is denied, the requestor may appeal that decision.

Students may appeal a denial of a permit to the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee.

Members of the public and employees may appeal a denial of a permit to the Vice President of Finance and Operations or designee.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Vice President of Finance and Operations

Date of Adoption: 10/30/2024

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: N/A

History and Subject of Revisions: 10/30/2024 (Adopted)

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): N/A