Student Code of Conduct Policy from WLU Student Handbook

Article III: Proscribed Conduct, Section B: Conduct – Rules and Regulations

13.  Participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the University and/or infringes on the privileges of other members of the University community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.

Procedures Regulating Demonstrations and Assembly (from WLU Student Handbook: Student Life Policies)

As a citizen, the student at West Liberty is accorded essential freedoms to express personal viewpoints and consistent with propriety, to espouse causes both inherent and extramural to the institution, so long as the methods of support do not infringe upon the basic rights and freedoms held by all other members of the academic community.

Several channels of communication are provided for students who wish to express their viewpoints and engage in dialogue with regularly established governing bodies of the University. Channels open to student participation are Student Government, the various student-faculty committees, as well as the student-faculty newspaper. Furthermore, students may always arrange for personal consultation with members of the administrative staff of the University or may petition for desired objectives.

If any student believes that such channels have not provided satisfactory outlets for their views, some may wish, as a last resort, to participate in some form of public demonstration. The following procedures are provided, therefore, to regulate the conduct of the members of the University community who choose to express their concerns through any form of demonstration:

1. Picketing, sit-ins, and other forms of demonstration are to be confined to the exterior of buildings. Such demonstrations must not block the entrance to buildings or the normal flow of pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
2. Demonstrations are to be orderly at all times and may in no way jeopardize public order or safety or disrupt classroom instruction, the privacy of individuals living in residence halls, student participation in placement interviews, conferences, or other University activities.
3. Persons involved in demonstrations may not disrupt organized meetings or other assemblies.
4. Persons involved in demonstrations may not coerce others to join in the demonstrations or harass passers-by or participants in any University program. Non-demonstrators may not harass the demonstrators or disrupt their orderly demonstrations.
5. Banners, placards, other visible materials, and public utterances must contain no vulgar language or expressions. Distribution or posting of printed or written materials must follow established procedures.
6. Any demonstration that originates on the University campus and proceeds off campus is to be conducted within the confines of local, state, and national laws.
7. The right of assembly and orderly demonstration does not give license to conduct riots or other disruptive activity inherently dangerous to persons or property.
8. Any person identified as remaining in a demonstration which has not been orderly (as defined in points 1-7 above) and who has not been orderly (as defined in points 1-7 above) and who has been asked to leave by an official or agent of the University, will be subjected to arrest. Such actions will also be reviewed by the Student-Faculty Judiciary, Committee and, if in violation of policy, will be subject to University disciplinary action.
9. Any person identified as committing an act of violence, destruction, defacement of property, or disrupting the functions of the University will be subject to arrest. Such actions will also be reviewed by the Judicial Board and, if a student is found guilty, he/she will be subject to disciplinary action.
10. Constructing shelters or tents and camping or sleeping out on university-owned properties is prohibited unless approved by the Office of Student Life for philanthropic, educational, or fundraising programs.

Visiting Speakers

Consistent with its stated purpose, any recognized student organization has the privilege of inviting and listening to any person of its choice. To effectuate an orderly scheduling of facilities for such events, the sponsoring organization must file a request with the Campus Life Office.

Student Press, Radio, and Television

The value of a free and independent student media is recognized. Student editors and reporters have the freedom to report factual matters and to express editorial viewpoints which need not reflect the viewpoint of the faculty or administration. However, this freedom of expression necessitates adherence to the canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo.