Disorderly Conduct/Disruptive Behavior is defined as participating in or inciting other(s) to behave in disruption or obstruction that has a negative impact on college activities, including but not limited to teaching, research, events, student conduct proceedings, the living and learning environment; or other college-sponsored activities, on or off-campus; or of other non-college activities when the conduct occurs on college property/premises; or of the living environment, on or off-campus; or by unauthorized use of electronic equipment.
Colby-Sawyer College is committed to an educational, living, and working environment that encourages free expression and the ability to protest peacefully. When Colby-Sawyer or its members host speakers, they are generally free to express their views, even if unpopular or controversial. The views expressed by a speaker are those of the speaker and not of Colby-Sawyer. Presentations at Colby-Sawyer-hosted events do not constitute an endorsement of the speakers' views or candidacy. Interfering with a speaker’s ability to speak and the audience’s ability to hear and see is not consistent with the college’s free expression ethos. Dissenting members of the community and guests may peacefully protest and express disagreement, but they may not interfere with a speaker’s ability to speak or attendees’ ability to attend, listen and hear. This includes disrupting an event, whether the disruption takes place inside or outside the room where the event is taking place; and disruption, in any part of a building or facility, that interferes with the event or with classes or other college activity or operations.
The right to protest or express disagreement with a speaker is subject to three general conditions:
- access to an event or facility may not be blocked
- the event and the regular or essential operations of the college may not be disrupted
- the safety of those attending the event and other members of the community may not be put at risk
The following constitute examples of conduct that disrupts or interferes with college events or operations, blocks access to college facilities, restricts others’ ability to listen or be heard, or creates safety concerns, and is therefore not permitted:
- Holding up signs in a manner that obstructs the view of those attempting to watch an event or speaker
- Speaking from a bullhorn, shouting, or playing amplified music or noise from audio sources in a manner that interferes with speakers’ ability to be heard and with community members' opportunity to listen, or disrupts or interferes with classes or other college activities
- Standing up in an assembly in a way that obstructs the view of those attempting to watch an event or speaker and/or blocking the aisles or routes of egress
- Sitting in or otherwise occupying a building in a way that blocks access or otherwise interferes with college events or operations
- Trespassing by remaining in buildings when told to leave or remaining in spaces after hours when they are otherwise closed to the Colby-Sawyer community
College administrators, Campus Safety, and law enforcement personnel may be present to ensure the event proceeds in a way that is consistent with the college’s policy.
Students who violate the College’s Code of Community Responsibility will be referred to the Office of Citizenship Education. Employees of the college who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action. Individuals not associated with the college who are found in violation of this policy may be subject to arrest and banned from campus.