Access to and Use of College Property

    1. PURPOSE

      Lewis and Clark Community College (“College”) has substantial and meaningful ties to the surrounding communities. Pursuant to Board Policy 801, College Facilities Usage, and Board Policy 806, Campus Safety, the College supports the use of College grounds and facilities for academic, cultural, social, and recreational purposes, and the College therefore is generally “open to the public.” At the same time, the College is committed to safeguarding its students, employees and visitors, to ensuring the safe operation of College programs and activities, and to protecting College assets. In furtherance of this commitment, the College Administration has adopted this Procedure to govern access to and use of College grounds, premises and facilities, both to provide for the welfare of students, employees and members of the public and to protect College property and resources.

    2. SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY

      This Procedure applies to currently enrolled students, faculty and staff, as well as individuals who are not affiliated with the College as a student or employee (hereinafter, “visitors”). For purposes of this Procedure, “College property” includes all indoor and outdoor spaces owned or leased by the College.

    3. HOURS OF OPERATION

      Unless otherwise posted, the College’s Administrative buildings are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

      Student-accessible buildings are as listed:

      • Reid Memorial Library: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. Enrollment Office: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
      • Financial Aid Office: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
      • College buildings where classes held are open as late as 10 p.m., based on the buildings class schedule.

      Outside of these hours, access to campus buildings by students, employees, and visitors is generally restricted. Other buildings not listed assume the same hours of operation as the Administration buildings.

      1. Access to Campus by the General Public During Business Hours

        During regular business hours, the following locations are generally considered open to the public:

        • Library
        • Pool
        • Fitness Centers
        • Auditorium (During Scheduled Events)
        • Event Spaces (During Scheduled Events)
        • Hallways
        • Lounge areas in hallways
        • Restrooms
        • Outdoor areas
        • Common stairwells

        The following locations are generally considered not open to the public, and access by visitors is restricted, unless otherwise indicated:

        • Employee work and office spaces
        • Classrooms
        • Labs (both computer and science)
        • Designated study locations and study rooms
        • Mechanical spaces
        • Network rooms
        • Campus Safety
        • Event spaces (when not rented)
        • Other restricted areas, as determined by Campus Safety
      2. Building/Site Closures

        The College reserves the right to close individual buildings or areas on campus where necessary for the safety of students, employees or members of the public, or to protect College property.  The College also reserves the right to secure sections of a building/area so as to limit access by the general public.

        The College will utilize reasonable signage to notify the College community of any building or site closures. College employees should contact the Director of Campus Safety at braish@lc.edu or (618) 468-3160 should they become aware of an individual present in a location where the individual is not authorized to be.  In accordance with Administrative Procedures, Campus Trespass, the College reserves the right to restrict a visitor’s access to some or all College property via the issuance of a no-trespass notice.

    4. REGULATIONS FOR USE OF COLLEGE PROPERTY

      The College is committed to promoting free and open inquiry in all matters and to making College facilities and spaces available for members of the College community to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn.  The College has established the following time, place and manner regulations to facilitate the use of College property by individuals and groups while promoting a safe campus environment and maintaining the order necessary for the College to accomplish its educational purpose.

      1. General Guidelines

        The following general guidelines apply to all use of College facilities, property and equipment.

        1. Individuals/organizations seeking to schedule an activity or event on College property must submit a Reservation Request to the Vice President of Administration or their designee (Campus Events) at campusevents@lc.edu or (618) 468-3270 in advance of the planned activity/event, and the requesting individual/organization must adhere to all applicable reservation procedures. If circumstances result in a spontaneous form of public demonstration, individuals and/or groups may be directed to a safe campus location.
        2. Reservations for events during off hours or when campus is closed are permitted only as expressly authorized by the Vice President of Administration or their designee.
        3. The reserving individual/group is responsible for any damage, destruction or loss of College property that occurs as a result of the individual/group’s use of College facilities. (Please reference Campus Events Renters Contract).
        4. All use of College facilities must comply with the College’s policies and procedures concerning alcohol, illegal drugs and controlled substances, smoking, and weapons. (Please reference Campus Events Renters Contract).
        5. Public activities/events, including demonstrations, may not block or otherwise interfere with entrances or exits from buildings, offices or classrooms and may not block or otherwise interfere with the free flow of pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic. The right of way on roadways and sidewalks must be maintained.
        6. Signs, placards, and similar paraphernalia used for demonstrations or other forms of public expression may not obstruct an audience’s view of a program or event sponsored by the College or its student organizations. The use of signs, placards, and similar paraphernalia for demonstrations or other forms of public expression must be included in the Reservation Request Form and may only be used indoors with prior approval of the Vice President of Administration or their designee.
        7. Any applicable restrictions regarding eating and drinking in College facilities must be observed at all times.
        8. The use of decorations in connection with activities/events must comply with regulations of the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The reserving individual/group is responsible for ensuring compliance with such regulations and must notify Vice President of Administration or their designee of any decorations it intends to use in connection with the planned activity/event.  All decorations must be flame-proof, safe, and not used in a manner that may damage or destroy College property.  The use of any toxic or hazardous materials is expressly prohibited. (Please reference Campus Events Renters Contract).
        9. Events or activities involving individuals under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
        10. An individual or group’s use of College facilities and grounds may require the presence of uniformed police and/or fire department personnel, as determined by the College in its sole discretion. The reserving individual/group is responsible for the payment of uniformed police and/or fire department service where the College determines that such is necessary.  All arrangements for police and/or fire department service must be made in advance of the activity/event.
      2. Solicitation

        For purposes of this Procedure, “solicitation” is defined as any undertaking of an individual or group to promote the sale or use of a product or service or to encourage contribution toward or support of an individual or organization.

        Except as otherwise provided in this Procedure, soliciting in College facilities or on campus is prohibited by for-profit corporations, non-profit organizations, faculty, staff, students, and all other individuals and groups. This prohibition includes personal solicitations made through campus e-mail listservs.

        The following solicitation activities are permitted as exceptions to the general prohibition on solicitation activities:

        1. Solicitation Sponsored or Authorized by the College

          The College participates in approved charitable events during the year.  Participation by employees is on a voluntary basis. Campus-wide solicitations for charitable organizations may not be conducted without prior approval of the College President or their designee.

        2. Solicitation Sponsored by Registered Student Organizations of the College

          Student clubs and organizations are permitted to solicit funds in support of and to help subsidize their activities and may also solicit funds on behalf of charitable organizations for purposes such as disaster relief or social awareness causes.  Student clubs and organizations must request and receive prior approval for a sales/solicitation event via submission of a Reservation Request Form to the Vice President of Administration or their designee.  Student clubs and organizations are required to adhere to all procedures and guidelines regarding sales and fundraising.  Funds raised must be deposited to and accounted for through the student club/organization’s College account.

        3. Signature Collection

          Signatures for petitions or similar documents may only be solicited on the designated outdoor campus spaces: west exterior Fobes grass, west exterior Trimpe Sidewalk, West exterior bridge.  To avoid impeding access to College facilities, signatures may not be solicited directly in front of any entrance to any campus building. Any question regarding exact locations can be addressed by contacting Campus Safety at (618) 468-2300

          Indoor solicitation of signatures is prohibited, except in the following circumstances:

          1. Signatures may be collected at information tables reserved by individuals or organizations.
          2. The solicitation of student signatures on nominating petitions of candidates for Student Trustee and Student Government is permitted in common areas of campus buildings during designated pre-election periods.
        4. Distribution of Literature/Handouts

          Outdoor distribution of literature/handouts is allowed in the designated outdoor campus spaces: west exterior Fobes grass, west exterior Trimpe Sidewalk, West exterior bridge. Distribution of literature/handouts may not interfere with the free flow of traffic, cause disruption, or impede any entrance to any campus building.  Reservations for outdoor distribution of literature are encouraged, but not required.

          Indoor distribution of handouts/literature, unless through a sanctioned College student organization or College Department is permitted only at information tables with prior approval from the Vice President of Administration or their Designee.

      3. Amplified Sound

        Amplified sound means any sound (i.e., voice, music, or other noise) created, enhanced, or amplified through the use of equipment, to include, but not limited to speakers, sound systems, stereos, and bullhorns.

        The use of amplified sound on College property can disrupt academics, administrative processes, and other College activities, as well as pose potential safety risks. To minimize disruption and potential safety risks, an individual/organization planning to use amplified sound in connection with an event/activity must include details regarding such planned use on their Reservation Request Form. Amplified sound is prohibited unless otherwise approved of through the Vice President of Administration or their designee.  Even when approved, all noise should be kept at a reasonable level and directed away from classrooms, the library and administrative buildings.

        Unapproved use of amplified sound will result in consequences pursuant to Section VI, Enforcement.

        The requirements in this Section do not apply to noise and amplified sound related to authorized College operations, such as approved College sporting or music events, authorized construction and maintenance, or authorized College classes.

      4. Camping and Temporary Structures

        Overnight camping is not permitted on College property.  Overnight parking is prohibited without prior authorization.

        The placement of signs or temporary structures into concrete or grass on College property is prohibited without prior authorization from Vice President of Administration or their designee or as may be permitted via an approved reservation request. This provision does not apply to the placement of signs or temporary structures in connection with College operations (e.g., construction and maintenance) or to College personnel carrying out a duty or responsibility on behalf of the College.

    5. CONDUCT GUIDELINES

      Individuals and groups using College equipment, property or premises are subject to all College rules and regulations applicable to those individuals and groups, including the Student Code of Conduct (for students and student groups), applicable employee handbook(s) and/or collective bargaining agreement(s) (for employees and employee groups), and any policies, procedures and guidelines applicable to visitors (for external individuals and organizations), in addition to local, State, and federal laws. Such rules, regulations and laws may be enforced by the College Administration, the Department of Campus Safety, and/or local law enforcement.

      In addition to adhering to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, individuals participating in public activities and events on College property must refrain from engaging in conduct that:

      1. Infringes upon the lawful rights of students, employees or visitors of the College;
      2. Substantially interferes with instruction, research, administration or other College activities or functions;
      3. Restricts or obstructs the free movement of individuals in College facilities or spaces;
      4. Restricts access to or use of offices, classrooms or other facilities or grounds to students, employees or visitors;
      5. Endangers or threatens the safety of any person in the College community; or
      6. Destroys, defaces or causes the loss of College property.

    6. ENFORCEMENT

      A student or student organization that violates this Procedure may be subject to disciplinary consequences pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct. An empl A visitor or external organization that violates this Procedure may be subject to consequences, including but not limited to a warning, denial of access to College premises or College-sponsored activities or events, arrest, removal, and/or issuance of a campus no-trespass notice in accordance with Administrative Procedures / Campus Trespass.