7C Demonstration Policy

7C Policy on Demonstrations at The Claremont Colleges

The undergraduate Claremont Colleges—Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College and Pitzer College—together with Claremont Graduate University, Keck Graduate Institute and Claremont University Consortium (CUC), are all member institutions of “The Claremont Colleges.” Each of these member institutions respects the rights of free speech and peaceable assembly and supports their exercise. However, when the exercise of speech and assembly becomes disruptive or non-peaceable and infringes upon the rights of others, threatens property or public safety or impedes the business of the member colleges or CUC, the individual colleges and CUC will act according to this policy.

Every institution in the consortium has instituted procedures for presenting and peaceably resolving disagreements about policies. Officials at the individual Claremont Colleges and CUC are willing to examine, discuss and explain institutional policies to any member of The Claremont Colleges community. However, participation in a demonstration that is materially disruptive and non-peaceful or involves the substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others on the property of any of The Claremont Colleges or of The Claremont University Consortium or their affiliated institutions is prohibited.

Determination of when a demonstration or action is non-peaceful or disruptive may be difficult, but The Claremont Colleges individually and collectively subscribe to the general guidelines listed below.

• Non-peaceful actions or demonstrations are those that endanger or injure, or threaten to endanger or injure, any person or that damage or threaten to damage property.
• Disruptive actions or demonstrations are those that restrict free movement on any of the campuses or interfere with, or impede access to, regular activities or facilities of any of the colleges or CUC.

If an officer or designee of an affected college or CUC informs individuals in a given area that their collective actions are judged non-peaceful or disruptive and that they should disperse, individuals remaining may be charged, on their home campus, with a violation of this policy.

Any individual acting in a non-peaceful or disruptive manner, whether acting individually or within a group, may be charged on the basis of the individual’s or group’s behavior with a violation of this policy. Ignorance of this policy or lack of intent to violate this policy is not an acceptable justification for violating it. Lack of intent or lack of awareness of the existence of College or Consortium policy will not excuse violations. Charges will be brought at the home college of the accused.

Any president on his or her home campus, or designee, or the chief executive officer of CUC, or designee, on the property of CUC, is authorized to take action against any individual violating this policy. Actions may include arrest or other legal action or notice of disciplinary charges, handled through the home college’s disciplinary procedures. The presidents and the chief executive officer of CUC may delegate their authority to act.