Public Forum Reservation Request

Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) is committed to recognizing and upholding the First Amendment rights of all individuals. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceably assemble. The opportunity to express these rights must be provided on an equal basis and in such a way that does not place an undue burden on any individual; provided, however, that such expressions are not unlawful and do not disrupt the academic and administrative functions of the College. In order to accomplish this, the College may regulate the time, place, and manner of expression as outlined in this procedure.

This procedure does not prohibit students, faculty, or staff from engaging in conversations on campus and does not apply to CPTC sponsored activities or classroom instruction/participation. This procedure sets forth requirements for Forum reservations by individuals, groups, or organizations in the following limited circumstances: (1) individuals, groups, or organizations that are not part of the CPTC community, i.e. currently enrolled students, employees of the College, and College sponsored organizations; and (2) students, faculty, or staff who engage in large group demonstrations involving thirty (30) or more individuals.

Nothing in this procedure is intended to regulate any content or expressive activity protected by the First Amendment. CPTC maintains a position of neutrality as to the content of expression and any written materials distributed under this procedure. The College expects members of the CPTC community to refrain from and discourage behaviors that threaten the rights, freedoms, and respect every individual deserves.

Designation of Public Forum Areas

Any First Amendment activity or expressive event held under the provisions of this procedure on a CPTC campus must be held in common areas during normal hours of operation when Campus Police are present and not disrupt the normal flow of people

Public Forum Area Requests

Individuals, groups, or organizations that are not part of the CPTC community, i.e. currently enrolled students, employees of the College, and College sponsored organizations; or students, faculty, or staff who engage in large group demonstrations involving thirty (30) or more individuals desiring to use any CPTC Public Forum Area for an assembly or expression event must submit a completed Public Forum Area Reservation Request Form at least ten (10) College business days in advance of the event. CPTC business days are identified as Monday through Thursday, excluding any holidays or other announced closures. Request forms are available on-line at the CPTC website, at any CPTC Student Affairs Office, and at any CPTC Economic Development Office. The completed form must be submitted to the Vice President for Economic Development (VPED) who shall serve as the point of contact for all applicants. The VPED or his/her designee will review the request and provide written notification to the applicant of approval or denial within four (4) College business days of receipt of the request. Any denial may be appealed to CPTC’s President in writing and must set forth the reasons why the appeal should be granted. The President or his/her designee must respond to the appeal in writing within two (2) College business days. The decision of the President or his/her designee is final.

Public Forum Area Events

The VPED shall consult with Campus Police as far ahead of the event as possible to ensure that any anticipated public safety issues are resolved and any public safety resources or accommodations are made available. The Campus Police will monitor any approved activity and shall have the authority to speak on behalf of the College to determine if an activity begins to interfere with the functioning of the College and academic instruction, presents an immediate threat to public safety, or is not in compliance with any provisions of this procedure. Should such determination be made, the Campus Police shall have the authority to terminate the activity. In such case, the Campus Police shall communicate the decision to terminate the activity to the individuals involved. If the activity is not terminated or if the individuals fail to vacate the area, law enforcement may instruct them to do so and any failure to comply with the lawful request of police may result in arrest.

General Provisions

In addition to any requirements set forth above, the following provisions shall apply:

Requests for use of Public Forum Areas may not be denied or restrictions imposed based on the content or viewpoint of the expression.

Written materials may only be distributed in common areas and only during the time in which the individual or group has reserved the Public Forum Area. Unauthorized use of the College’s name or logos on any written material is prohibited.

Approved activities may be conducted in Public Forum Areas on any College business day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Consecutive day reservations are not permitted.

Reasonable limitations may be placed on the time, manner, and place of the event in order to serve the interests of health and safety, prevent disruption of the educational process, and protect against threats to the rights of others.

No request for use of a Public Forum Area will be approved for the first full week of classes and final exam week of each semester.

No interruption of the conduct of College classes or other College activities, ceremonies, and events is permitted.

No interference with the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any CPTC campus, or the ingress and egress to buildings on campus, is permitted.

The use of amplified sound or unreasonable noise that disrupts College activities on the campus is prohibited.

Public speech that is likely to incite or produce imminent lawless action or under the current legal standards is either defamatory or obscene is prohibited.

Malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction of property owned or operated by the College or property belonging to students, student organizations, faculty, staff, or visitors of the College is prohibited. Persons or organizations causing such damage may be held financially and/or criminally responsible.

The individual/organization using the Public Forum Area shall be responsible for seeing that the area is left clean and in good repair. If not, persons or organizations responsible for the event may be held financially responsible for cleanup costs.

The individual/organization using the Public Forum Area must supply their own tables, chairs, etc., if needed.

Individuals and groups expressing themselves on any CPTC campus must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and policies and procedures of the Technical College System of Georgia and CPTC.