"Time, Place, and Manner" Regulations for Certain Members of the Public on UC Campuses
Free association and the open exchange of ideas are essential to the vitality and mission of the University of California. UC has long-standing guidelines in place to ensure that everyone's rights and safety are protected while on campus. These guidelines, commonly known as "Time, Place and Manner" regulations, already exist to address certain activities of UC students and employees on UC campuses.
The University is proposing additional guidelines to cover the activities of other members of the public, who are not students, officers, or employees, while on UC property. A public hearing was held on Wednesday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the James E. West Alumni Center on the UCLA campus.
Existing "Time, Place, and Manner" Regulations
On University of California campuses, “Time, Place, and Manner” guidelines for activities such as the posting of signs and the use of University property for meetings already exist to protect free association and discussion while at the same time ensuring the smooth functioning of the University. UCLA’s Regulations on Activities, Registered Organizations, and Use of Properties are an example of campus “Time, Place, and Manner” regulations: http://www.campusregulations.ucla.edu.
The existing regulations for UC students and employees provide for disciplinary procedures related to violations of these policies. However, in some campus incidents involving other members of the public, the local city or district attorney has declined to prosecute such violations on our campuses because UC does not have regulations covering these individuals.
Proposed Regulations
The proposed regulations address different categories of activity, including:
- Commercial activities
- Carrying weapons
- Demonstrations
- Nudity
- Distribution of handbills
The proposed regulations are limited by the Education Code to conduct that is a “threat to persons or property or constitutes interference with functions or activities of the university…” They do not apply to students, employees, or official volunteers of the University, who are covered by existing guidelines.
In 2002, the State approved legislation allowing UC to establish regulations pertaining to the governance and maintenance of its buildings and grounds to address conduct by persons who are not affiliated with the University. Section 92440.5 was added to the California Education Code following the passage of Assembly Bill 3044.
Once approved by the Regents, the regulations will be transmitted to the Secretary of State for filing and publication in the California Code of Regulations.
The public is encouraged to comment in person or in writing on the proposed regulations before the UC Board of Regents considers approval of the proposed regulations. The public comment period will be closed at 5:00 p.m. PDT on June 30, 2008. For comments on the proposed regulations to be considered, please submit comments before then to:
UC Office of the General Counsel
1111 Franklin Street, 8th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607-5200
(510) 987-9782
