Community Standards Process and Procedures: Protests and Demonstrations

Relevant Excerpt

General Protest & Demonstration Requirements

The purpose of this policy is to actively support and promote acts of public expression on campus while also addressing the safety and rights of our entire community. Protests, demonstrations, and other acts of public expression are expected to be in compliance with all College policies and applicable law. 

The following requirements must be met by any student or student group who wishes to stage a protest or demonstration on Holy Cross property: 

Notification Requirement: The Division of Student Development must be notified at least three business days in advance of the protest. Protest organizers must provide the following information when they notify Student Development by submitting this form:

• Nature of the protest or demonstration
• Proposed location of the protest
• Start and end time of the protest
• Any other necessary considerations
• Contact information for organizers
• Name and contact information of any on-campus advisor (staff or faculty)

Meeting Requirement: To help promote a successful and safe protest and to understand organizers’ needs and goals, the organizers are ordinarily required to meet with Student Development and the Department of Public Safety at least 48 hours before the event. This meeting will take place with the Dean of Students (or their designee) and the Director of Public Safety (or their designee).

Approval Requirement: After the above notification and meeting requirements have been completed, approval is required to move forward with a protest event. Student Development, in consultation with Public Safety and other relevant officials, will review the proposed event and approve the time and place of the event and the manner in which the event will be conducted in compliance with College policies, protocols, and other requirements. Requests will be considered without regard to content or viewpoint so long as they do not violate any other College policies (e.g. prohibited harassment). Approval for a protest or demonstration is not an endorsement by the College.