Washington Administrative Code › Title 132Z - Cascadia College › Chapter 132Z-112 - Student rights and responsibilities › Section 132Z-112-020 - Freedom of inquiry and expression

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
As a public institution of higher education in the state of
				Washington, Cascadia Community College recognizes and supports the following
				principles regarding freedom of expression.
Individual freedom of expression is a fundamental tenet of any
				free and democratic society.
Freedom of expression shall be interpreted to include all forms
				of written and oral expression, and all forms of dramatic and artistic
				expression.
The college is dedicated to upholding the individual freedom of
				expression as it is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the
				United States and that no act shall be undertaken by the college to abridge
				that freedom.
As an institution dedicated to freedom of thought and
				expression, the college shall support expression of divergent viewpoints in
				order to foster broad-mindedness and a willingness to learn from others.
In keeping with these principles and the college's right to
				place reasonable restraints on the time, place and manner of expression, the
				college shall observe the following general guidelines and appropriate general
				procedures to ensure the responsible exercise of freedom of expression.
(1)
Freedom of expression.
It is
			 the right of any member of the college community to express any point of view
			 and to be free from harassment in such expression. It is the responsibility of
			 those expressing opinions to respect the rights and property of others, to
			 refrain from disrupting the normal operations of the college and to maintain
			 lawful conduct.
The right of free speech and expression does not include
				activity that may endanger the safety of any member of this college community
				or visitors, or damage any of the facilities. Moreover, modes of expression
				(including electronic transmissions) that are unlawful or indecent or that are
				grossly offensive on matters such as race, color, national and ethnic origin,
				religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or veteran status are
				inconsistent with accepted norms of conduct of the college and are subject to
				the sanctions described in the Code of student conduct and disciplinary
				procedures (chapter 132Z-115 WAC).
(2)
Sponsoring organizations.
It
			 is the right of all recognized college organizations and units to sponsor
			 lecturers, entertainers, or exhibitions of their choice as approved by the
			 college. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization or unit to
			 make adequate preparation as deemed necessary by the college for the orderly
			 conduct of such events.
(3)
Campus speakers.
Student organizations officially recognized by
			 the college may invite speakers to the campus to address their own membership
			 and other interested students and employees if suitable space is available and
			 there is no interference with the regularly scheduled program of the college.
			 Although properly allowed by the college, the appearance of such speakers on
			 the campus implies neither approval nor disapproval of them or their
			 viewpoints. In the case of speakers who are candidates for political office,
			 equal opportunities shall be available to opposing candidates if desired by
			 them. Political candidates seeking to use facilities to discuss campaign issues
			 with nonstudents shall pay normal facility rental fees. Speakers are subject to
			 the normal considerations for law and order and to the specific limitations
			 imposed by the state constitution, which prohibits state support for religious
			 worship, exercise or instruction.
In order to ensure an atmosphere of open exchange and to ensure
				that the educational objectives of the college are not obscured, the president,
				in a case attended by strong emotional feeling, may prescribe conditions for
				the conduct of the meeting, such as requiring that a designated member of the
				faculty serve as chair, or requiring permission for comments and questions from
				the floor. Likewise, the president may encourage the appearance of one or more
				additional speakers at any meeting or at a subsequent meeting so that other
				points of view may be expressed. The president may designate representatives to
				recommend conditions such as time, manner, and place for the conduct of
				particular meetings.
(4)
Audiences.
It is the right of all members of the college community
			 to attend any public event sponsored by any recognized campus organization or
			 unit, once applicable admission fees have been paid. It is the responsibility
			 of all who attend such events to respect the rights and property of
			 others.
(5)
Facilities.
It is the right of any recognized campus organization
			 or unit to schedule the use of appropriate college facilities free from
			 discrimination on the basis of viewpoints to be expressed at the event; it is
			 the responsibility of such an organization or unit to provide sufficient
			 evidence to the college administration that adequate provision has been made
			 for the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
(6)
Distribution of information.
Handbills, leaflets, newspapers and similar materials may be sold or
			 distributed free of charge by any student or students, or by members of
			 recognized student organizations, or by college employees during their off-work
			 hours on or in college facilities at locations specifically designated by the
			 director of communications and marketing provided such distribution or sale
			 does not interfere with the ingress or egress of persons or interfere with the
			 free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Such handbills, leaflets, newspapers and related matter must
				bear identification as to the publishing agency and distributing organization
				or individual.
All nonstudents shall register with the director of
				communications and marketing prior to the distribution of any handbill,
				leaflet, newspaper or related matter. Such distribution or sale must not
				interfere with the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Any person or persons who violates these provisions will be
				subject to disciplinary action.
Statutory Authority: Executive Order 97-02,
				  RCW
				  28B.10.902 and 28B.20.903. 05-06-003, §
										132Z-112-020, filed 2/17/05,
				  effective 3/20/05. Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				    28B.50.140. 00-20-037, §
										132Z-112-020, filed 9/28/00,
				  effective 10/29/00.