Student Activism and Demonstrations | Policy and Related Information

Disclaimer: Please note that the content of this webpage is updated as needed and the original policies and handbooks should always be referenced for the most up-to-date information.

All Mount Holyoke students, groups of students, and recognized student organizations are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct (found in the Student Handbook). Student organizations are responsible for the policies and regulations in the Recognized Student Group Handbook, as well as any other policies or regulations that govern their organization, in particular if they are a chapter organization.

Students who are considering protests or demonstrations on campus should meet with a staff member from the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) to proactively discuss their plans and avoid potential policy violations. OSI can provide valuable guidance on coordinating with campus partners, ensuring your plans align with institutional guidelines and other logistical considerations.

  • All Mount Holyoke students have the right to demonstrate on campus.
  • The College's policies regarding protests and demonstrations are content-neutral, and the College can intervene if there is a clear danger or disruption.
  • Certain restrictions apply to entering campus buildings for demonstrations.
  • Safety and security reasons may restrict access to specific areas on campus.
  • Legal activities that do not violate rights or harm property are allowed.
  • Counter-demonstrations are permitted but should respect others' rights.
  • Off-campus student protests are subject to the same laws and the Student Code of Conduct.

Outside Speakers, Protests, and Demonstrations Policy

For the full policy including time, place, and manner guidelines and the procedure to follow please fully review the Student Handbook.

Campus Facilities Use Manual | page 13

Consistent with the “Conditions of Free Inquiry” from the Student Handbook and Faculty Legislation, Mount Holyoke believes in the right of free inquiry and free expression of every member of the College community. At the same time, the College reserves the right to restrict or prohibit protest and similar activities where appropriate and the College may take action to stop behavior that does not conform to community standards. Specifically, the College may impose restrictions as to the time, place and manner of such activities, as it deems appropriate and in order to foster a productive and safe living, learning and working environment on campus. More information is available in Faculty Legislation and the Student Handbook. For students, additional information about the Outside Speakers, Protests, and Demonstrations Policy can be found in the Student Handbook, additionally students should review the community standards section and the Student Code of Conduct found in the Student Handbook. For details about how this policy applies to persons unaffiliated with the College please review the entire policy.

Student Handbook | Outside Speakers, Protests, and Demonstrations Policy | page 93

Consistent with the Student Handbook and Faculty Legislation, Mount Holyoke believes in the principle of free inquiry and free expression of every member of the College community. The College also recognizes that such freedoms entail responsibility for one’s actions. Thus the College encourages and facilitates the expression of views by its members so long as there is no use or threat of force, nor interference with opportunities for others to express their views, and no interruption of the College’s educational mission or business operations.

The guidelines herein are intended to promote the safe and peaceable exchange of ideas; to transparently set forth reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions; to limit the ability of people unaffiliated with Mount Holyoke College to use the College as a stage for provocation; and to preserve the ability of the College to take action in situations that threaten the safety of members of the campus community or interfere with the core instructional and administrative functions of the College.

  • Outside speakers are welcome to speak on campus at Mount Holyoke when they: have been invited by Mount Holyoke College students, faculty members, or staff members; have satisfactorily completed the College’s event planning and approval processes (for students see “Planning an Appearance by an Outside Speaker, a Protest, or a Demonstration,” below under procedures); and agree to abide by College regulations and applicable laws. Students are also held to the Student Event Policy.
  • Acts of peaceful protest, demonstration, and similar activities – such as marches, rallies, sit-ins, teach-ins, etc. – are permitted, under the conditions that follow, with the College reserving the right to restrict and or stop behaviors that do not conform to community standards and/or directly interfere with core instructional and administrative functions of the college.
  • Specifically, the College may impose restrictions as to the time, place and manner of such activities, as it deems appropriate and in order to foster a productive and safe living, learning and working environment on campus. Mount Holyoke reserves the discretion to postpone, cancel, or prohibit any speaker, protest, or demonstration if the conditions of this policy are not met.

For the full policy including time, place, and manner guidelines and the procedure to follow please fully review the Student Handbook. You should also be in contact with the Office of Student Involvement to discuss intended plans.

Media Access Policy

Mount Holyoke College seeks to balance media access with the privacy and safety of its students. If a journalist or news outlet reaches out to you, please know your rights and the college's procedures by reviewing the Media Access Policy. Media who wish to interview students, faculty, or staff must contact the Office of Communications and Marketing beforehand.

Because the campus is private property, media must obtain advance permission from the Communications office before conducting interviews, filming, or photography. All media guests are required to check in at Mary Woolley Hall to receive a press pass before doing any work on campus.

Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct

Student Handbook (Download the PDF)

All Mount Holyoke students are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct.

Below are outlined components of the Student Handbook that are important for students to know when considering and planning student demonstrations and protests. For full information about the policies and protocols that are named here please read the Student Handbook.

The Mount Holyoke Community (page 4)

Mount Holyoke College believes in the right, indeed the necessity, of free inquiry and free expression for every member of the College community. The College aims to provide an environment hospitable to open interchanges of knowledge and opinion in the terms of reasoned and civil discourse. An individual’s right to free speech, free movement, free association, peaceful assembly and orderly protest extends to every member of the College. So does an individual’s responsibility to uphold the law and to respect the rights and feelings of others.

Important things to know:

  • Honor Code and Community Responsibilities

    For the full policy: Student Handbook page 6

    The Honor Code – I will honor myself, my fellow students and Mount Holyoke College by acting responsibly, honestly and respectfully in both my words and deeds.

    Upon matriculation, each student brings a wide variety of experiences, hopes and goals to Mount Holyoke College. These backgrounds create and continually shape communal goals and ideals. The honor code is the hallmark of life together at Mount Holyoke College. Simply stated, it means that each student is responsible for maintaining their own integrity and the integrity of the Mount Holyoke community. While broad in its applications, it provides a guideline for decision making that holds each student to principles of good conduct toward themselves and others.

    The values framework embodied in Mount Holyoke College Honor Code is reflected in the Code of Conduct and the Academic Policies and Procedures, the College's Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment Policy and Procedures, and the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures. set forth before. The Mount Holyoke College Honor Code assumes adherence to the rules and regulations of the College, which are designed to promote intellectual and social pursuits and to ensure personal safety. In addition, the College protects and upholds civil rights, and is committed to an inclusive and diverse community. A Mount Holyoke student demonstrates their respect for individual freedom by conducting themselves with maturity and honor, and by showing due concern for the welfare of other members of the community.

    Alleged violations of the honor code, including the Code of Conduct, academic policies and procedures, the College’s Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment Policy and procedures, as well as Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment policy and procedurematters will be adjudicated as outlined below using the procedures specific to those violations.

  • Student Code of Conduct

    For the full policy: Student Handbook page 7

    Mount Holyoke College students are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Code of Conduct.

    The Code of Conduct and the community standards process apply to the conduct of individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, student groups and all College-affiliated student organizations including athletic teams or other recognized groups. For the purposes of student conduct, the College considers an individual to be a student when an offer of admission has been extended through the awarding of a degree. The Code of Conduct also applies when an individual is enrolled in a College course or program.

    An Overview of the Code of Conduct Provisions -- For full information, including definitions and examples, about the Code of Conduct read the Student Handbook.

    • The following activities, occurring on or off College premises, constitute breaches of the Code of Conduct:
      • Conduct that is unbecoming of a Mount Holyoke student, whether physical, verbal or sexual in nature.
      • Doxing.
      • Taking of property.
      • Stolen property.
      • Vandalism, damage and/or destruction.
      • Purposely providing false, inaccurate or misleading information to a College official(s) or employee(s).
      • Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification or financial instruments.
      • Threats or behavior that endanger the health and safety of oneself or others.
      • Disruption of the orderly processes of the College, involving obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings or other College activities, including its public-service activities. Actions disruptive to the orderly processes of the College include, but are not limited to:
        • Unauthorized entry into, or occupation of a private office, college residence, work area, or a teaching, library, or social facility.
        • Conduct that restricts or prevents the safe travel to occupants in all campus buildings that is free and clear of obstructions that could impede egress travel.
        • Failure to abide by the stated operating policies of academic and non-academic offices, centers, unions, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, or other College buildings.
        • Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys or access cards to College premises, or tampering with locks to College buildings; failing to timely report a lost College OneCard or college-issued key;
        • Conduct that restricts or prevents College employees from performing their duties.
        • Excessive or extreme noise, the unauthorized display of banners/objects, or the throwing of objects that prevents or disrupts the effective execution of a College function or approved activity, including, but not limited to: classes, lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, athletic events, or public functions.
        • Abuse or misuse of official College documents or systems.
      • Failure to comply with the reasonable request of a College employee, including a request to identify oneself or honor the terms of a College directive, including a no-contact agreement/order.
      • Violation of federal, state or local laws, including ordinances, regulations and statutes.
      • Recording without consent is prohibited.
      • Retaliation.
      • Expectation of truthfulness.
      • Failure to comply with any Mount Holyoke College policy.

  • Weapons and Firearm Policy

    For the full policy: Student Handbook page 50

    In accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 269 Section 10j, weapons are prohibited on the grounds of the College with the exception of law enforcement officers duly authorized to carry such weapons. No person shall be permitted to carry firearms or other weapons, concealed or not concealed, with or without a concealed weapon permit, while on properties owned or controlled by the College or in the participation of a College-related course, activity or other business off campus.

    For the purposes of this policy, the term “weapons” includes, but is not limited to: firearms of any nature or description, including shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers, paintball guns or BB/pellet guns; firearm replicas; ammunition; martial arts-type weapons; explosives including fireworks, smoke grenades and paint bombs; bows, crossbows, arrows; slingshots; switchblade knives, double-edged knives, or hunting (pocket-style) knives with a blade length of 3 inches or greater; swords; pointed metal darts; (unauthorized) pepper spray; or any other destructive device or instrument that may be used to do bodily injury or damage to property. In addition, items that may be used as weapons, whether or not they fit the definition above, will be subject to seizure.

    Because these weapons may pose a clear risk to persons and property on the campus, violation of the regulations may result in administrative action from the College and/or prosecution under the appropriate state or federal laws.

    No firearm or ammunition is permitted on the Mount Holyoke College campus. This prohibition includes the possession of all firearms, whether or not a lawful permit might have been issued under the law for ownership, possession, or use. This policy is consistent with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 269, and Section 10(j).

Posting, Handbills, and Chalking Policy

For the full policy and guidelines please fully review the Student Handbook.

For the full policy: Student Handbook page 69

Flyers, posters, and other physical materials are a means of publicizing events and raising awareness at Mount Holyoke. This policy applies to all students, student groups, and recognized student groups. Individuals, student groups, registered student organizations will be held responsible for any damage and/or cleanup if these guidelines are not followed. Questions about posting, handbill distribution, and chalking options can be discussed with the Office of Student Involvement in Blanchard room 327 or by calling 413-538-2478.

Posting:

Designated posting bulletin boards may be found in numerous buildings on campus, including the Community Center, Kendade Atrium and the Library. The guidelines listed here must be followed for all designated posting spaces on-campus. Departments or offices who are responsible for managing a particular designated posting space may also have other guidelines that should be followed – such as: Residence Hall Posting Policy and the Williston Library. For posting requirements please review the full policy.

Handbills:

Students, student groups, and recognized student organizations may reserve tabling spaces and distribute literature from those areas by reserving space through Event Services and or working with the Office of Student Involvement. No group or individual may set up a table for purposes of distributing literature or similar activities without prior reservation. Those distributing materials must remain within three feet of their tabling space at all times and not obstruct walkways or other tables.

Chalking:

Mount Holyoke College allows chalking on campus under the following guidelines. Individuals will be held responsible for any damage and/or cleanup if these guidelines are not followed.

  • Only erasable chalk may be used — grease-based chalk is not permitted.
  • Chalking may be done only on asphalt roads and walkways.
  • Chalkings should be signed with the full name of the person or group responsible.
  • Groups or individuals may be asked to remove chalking when necessary.
  • Absolutely no chalking is permitted on any brick or building surface.
  • No chalking is permitted in any area that is protected from rain.
  • All chalking must be appropriate for the general public, including children and any campus guests.

Tabling, Vending, and Solicitation Policy

For the full policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out the position of Mount Holyoke College on vending and solicitation by persons or groups, who are actively selling goods in-person on campus. The policies in this document are specifically for vendors overseen by the Office of Student Involvement, which acts on behalf of the College.

A reminder that tables are located in the vestibule outside of the Dining Commons, adjacent to Blanchard Hall. MHC Departments and Recognized Student Groups should book their reservation through EMS - for more information review the Community Center resource page.

Use of Campus Facilities

Campus Facilities Use Manual

The facilities of Mount Holyoke College are intended for the exclusive use of its students, faculty, staff, and their invited guests. The facilities are also available for the Alumnae Association in support of its activities and for official Five Colleges, Inc., activities. During the academic year (i.e., late August through late May), priority is given to academic activities and the cocurricular activities of students for the use of all facilities.

Reservable spaces: All classrooms, auditoria and many other rooms at Mount Holyoke College are reservable spaces. College departments and recognized student organizations are granted access to reserve these spaces and must do so ahead of time by following the established procedures. Individuals and groups found using these spaces without prior approval will be held accountable to the College’s facilities and conduct policies as outlined in the Student Handbook and the Campus Facilities Usage Manual.

Individuals shall not engage in activities that will or could reasonably be expected to result in personal or bodily injury to themselves or to others, or which could cause damage or harm to College or other property, or interfere with College operations or others’ pursuit of their usual activities.

To understand how students and recognized student organizations can use Mount Holyoke campus space review the Student Handbook as well as the Student Group Handbook (including the Student Event Policy) available from Student Involvement.

Limited use of some nonresidential facilities by established and recognized nonprofit community groups is occasionally possible, but only if the use of facilities does not conflict with academic and student co-curricular programs and is compatible with, and of benefit to, the academic and/or the co-curricular program – for full information review the Campus Facilities Use Manual.

Student and Student Group Events, Travel, and Fundraising

All students and student groups are held accountable for knowing and following the policies and procedures within the Student Handbook as well as the Recognized Student Group Handbook (including the Student Event Policy). Reach out to Student Involvement with questions about events, travel, and fundraising for student groups.

Student Event Policy

Below are outlined components of the Student Event Policy that are important for students and student groups to know.

  • Student Event Policy Overview

    This policy applies to all Mount Holyoke student sponsored events and programs, including those held by recognized student groups, that occur on-campus. All events that meet the previous criteria are subject to the enactment of these policies. This policy is administered by the Office of Student Involvement on behalf of Mount Holyoke College, and outlines the responsibilities and tools necessary for sponsors to comply with room capacity limits, fire-code regulations, and state laws.

    It is important to note that the Office of Student Involvement, on behalf of the College:

    • Reserves the right to modify or cancel an event if the policy and procedure have not been followed;
    • May invoke the ability to change venues, require the event to be ticketed, etc. contingent on the circumstances of the event;
    • Will, as needed, connect to any paid vendors, speakers, performers, etc. and or their agent prior to the event;
    • Share information with campus partners such as Event Services, Media Services, Public Safety & Service, Five Colleges, etc.;
    • And reserves the right to do so without permission from the student organizer.

    Students should also note that they, or their organizing group, may be held accountable for additional costs associated with the event, including but not limited to audio-visual equipment, facility set-up, catering, rentals, security, etc.

  • Events with invited speakers

    For the full policy: Student Event Policy page 2

    Those student event teams planning to host a speaker on-campus, whether paid or not, must contact Student Involvement at minimum 15 to 20 business days prior to the proposed event date to set-up an event management meeting. It is not expected that the speaker will be finalized or that the contracting process has already started, rather that Student Involvement is being notified of the intention to seek and or invite a speaker to campus. For those seeking Ways & Means funding this also ensures that the funding guidelines, in regards to speakers, are met.

    All potential speaker’s name, bio, and additional information will be shared with campus partners and service providers.

    Unanticipated circumstances may allow for an exception to this deadline to be made. Such a decision must be approved by the Director of Student Involvement, and an exception is never guaranteed.

  • Event Staffing and Security

    For the full policy: Student Event Policy page 5, 8, 12, 13

    All levels of events will be assessed for event staffing and security needs. While all Level 4 events require a minimum amount of staffing and security, other events may also require minimum levels.

    Determinations in regards to staffing and security will be based off such factors as attendance (open to the public, open to Five Colleges, size of anticipated attendance, etc.), alcohol present, money present, venue set-up, anticipated protest, anticipated risk to participants, anticipated destruction of property, adherence to local, state and national laws etc. - this list is not exhaustive. Decisions will be made in consultation with student events planners and campus partners, with the final decision to be made by Student Involvement.

    Students events that are not Level 4 but with anticipated attendance from the public and/or Five Colleges and/or events that require event security or crowd management may be required to meet certain standards in regard to event staffing. This determination will be made in consultation with Student Involvement, with the final decision being made by the office.

    If the event sponsor cannot guarantee the required staffing throughout the event, the event will be canceled and/or the date changed.

  • Entrance Doors (seated events)

    • No standing in the back of the venue, in aisles, or on the sides unless necessary for ADA compliance and purposes and or event staff working the event.
    • Bottom levels and front of house should be seated before moving further back and into balconies.
    • No admittance of picket signs or signage that will block the view of others in attendance at the event.

Fleet Vehicle Policy

Recognized student organizations can reserve fleet vehicles once the approval process has been completed. All drivers must become credentialed with the Fleet Office and must follow all authorization policies with Student Involvement. For full details about being approved to reserve fleet vehicles, page 32 of the recognized student group handbook.

Travel Policy

Recognized Student Group Handbook | Page 30

For the full travel policy

The Office of Student Involvement must approve all travel prior to any recognized student group confirming travel, making reservations, or paying any costs. Funding from the SGA Ways & Means Committee can not be applied for until the trip is approved by Student Involvement. Any travel that is not approved by Student Involvement could lead to consequences for the student group, including loss of funding, inability to travel for the following year, and or de-recognition of the group. For expectations and policy regarding voluntary and college sponsored travel, please review the Five College Risk Management Guidelines.

Recognized Student Organizations, SGA/SGA Committees & Class Boards:

All students who are leading college-sponsored travel on behalf of a recognized student organization, SGA, or a Class Board are required to follow the guidelines for trip leaders. These include submitting:

  • Recognized Student Organization Travel Request form
  • Domestic (anything happening 50 miles or more outside of the 5 College area) and/or an overnight trip: Submitted at least 4 weeks prior to anticipated travel
  • International: Submitted at least 90 days prior to anticipated travel - not allowed at this time
  • Planning Checklist and Travel Documentation form
  • Submitted at least 5 business days prior to departure, if approved
  • Travel Waivers
  • Submitted online per each participant at least 5 business days prior to departure
  • Copies of all traveling student passports, visas, etc. (specific to international travel)
  • Meeting with the Associate Director or Director to review the travel policies.

.

Club Sports teams:

All students who are leading college-sponsored travel on behalf of a club sports team are required to follow the guidelines for trip leaders. These include submitting:

  • Club Sports Travel Documentation form
  • Must be submitted at the beginning of each playing season (for most teams, each semester). The Club Sports Competition Schedule & Travel Checklist will be uploaded in this form.
  • Club Sports Competition Schedule & Travel Checklist consists of:
  • Competition Schedule
  • Participant roster, including emergency contact informationEmergency Planning & Management
  • Travel Waivers
  • Submitted online by each participant per each travel event (whether social or a competition)
  • Copies of all traveling student passports, visas, etc. (specific to international travel)
  • Meeting with the Associate Director or Director to review the travel policies.

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Fundraising Policy

Organizations may fundraise but are cautioned to fundraise for their group with care. MHC policy does not allow organizations to solicit funding from outside organizations, including local or corporate sponsors, without direct consultation with a Department or Office at the College. While donations may be accepted and deposited into an Org Campus Account, Recognized Student Organizations represent the Mount Holyoke community and College and are therefore restricted from competing for outside funding. Review page 17 of the Recognized Student Group Handbook for step-by-step instructions to seek approval for fundraising.