59 Free Speech and Expression Activity Policy

Policy Statement-Last Updated June 17, 2025

Murray State College is committed to fostering a campus environment where freedom of speech, academic inquiry, and expression are respected and encouraged.  This policy is in place to provide a community environment where open discussion can occur without disrupting the academic mission or daily functions of the College, subject to constitutional time, place, and manner limitations, and without unconstitutionally interfering with the rights of other members of the College community. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on college property.

Principles of Free Speech

Pursuant to Oklahoma law, all outdoor areas of the Murray State campuses that are generally accessible by the public are areas where speech may occur. The college cannot restrict speech based on viewpoint, including in demonstrations or social media posts. Murray State is a public institution, and while the institution protects everyone’s right to freedom of speech, it does have the ability and the obligation to reasonably restrict speech in certain areas of campus based on time, place, and manner considerations.

Oklahoma State Law §70-2120

Enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2019 and signed into law by the Governor, this statute became effective on August 30, 2019.

The law designates unrestricted, accessible outdoor green spaces on public college and university campuses in Oklahoma as traditional public forums. This means members of the campus community and the public may use these areas for non-commercial expressive activities as long as their actions do not cause material and substantial disruptions to the institution. Such use may be subject to reasonable restrictions on time, place, and manner.

Additionally, the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee is tasked with reviewing policies at colleges and universities to ensure compliance with free speech protections.

Permissible Speech and Expression

Members of the college community may engage in free speech activities, such as peaceful demonstrations, distributing literature, and open debate, provided these activities do not disrupt the college’s normal operations, interfere with others’ rights, or pose a safety threat.

Prohibited Conduct

Speech that includes threats of violence, harassment (as defined by Oklahoma Law), or defamation, or that incites unlawful actions is prohibited. Speech or activities that disrupt college operations, including blocking access to buildings or interrupting classes, are also not permitted.

Unprotected Speech

The following forms of expression are not entitled to First Amendment protection and are not permitted on the campus of Murray State College.  Speech or expression that is:

1. Engaging in fighting, violent, or other unlawful behavior;
2. Violating state or federal law;
3. Sexual misconduct or sexual harassment, as defined by campus policy
4. Committing any act likely to create a health or safety hazard;
5. Engaging in the destruction of College or personal property or in the physical harm to others;
6. Physically blocking or using threats of violence to prevent any person from attending, listening to, viewing, or otherwise participating in an expressive activity;
7. Interfering or impeding the institution’s scheduled classes, events, ceremonies, or normal and essential operations; or,
8. Interfering with or blocking the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or the entrance or exit of any building.

Consequences of Policy Violations

Any person who violates these guidelines, or any applicable state or federal law, local ordinance, or college policy, may face criminal or civil penalties, disciplinary actions (including warnings, suspension, or, in severe cases, dismissal from the college), and/or revocation of rights to attend college events. Non-affiliated individuals may be subject to removal from campus and potential future bans on access.

Handling Disputes and Grievances

The college has a formal grievance process for individuals who believe their rights have been infringed upon under this policy. Grievances will be handled promptly and fairly by the Office of Student Affairs (or the relevant office).  Those who wish to report concerns about Free Speech Violations should report those using the MSC Complaint Resolution Process.

Educational Initiatives

The college will conduct educational programs on free speech and civil discourse, ensuring that students and staff understand their rights and responsibilities.

Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions

To ensure that expressive activities are conducted in an orderly manner, the college may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Expression may be limited or restricted with respect to time, place, or manner only as provided for in this policy statement and other related statements of policy, such as the Code of Student Conduct in the Student Handbook and Institutional Policy and Procedures.  Such limitations shall be narrowly tailored to serve a significant interest (such as avoiding disruption of regular classes, avoiding the scheduling of two events at the same time in the same facility, and the protection of the public order) and to assure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.  Any limitations must be both reasonable and content-neutral, the latter term meaning that the limitations shall be applied without regard to the content of the expression for the purpose of the assembly. Campus police, in consultation with the College President, are authorized to immediately cancel any campus event if, in their judgment, an unacceptable risk of harm or disturbance, damage, or injury to any facilities, property, participants, or spectators has been reached.

Limitations may include requiring (a) scheduling and planning with the appropriate authorized designee, (b) restricting or prohibiting the use of certain areas, (c) limiting certain forms of expression in specific areas, and (d) reimbursing the College any cost associated with the use of a facility, area, or medium.

Restrictions

1. Signs or banners will be carried or personally attended always by at least one participant. Unattended displays may not be used.
2. Vehicles and heavy equipment may not be used in unscheduled expressive outdoor spaces.
3. No items (e.g., signs, equipment, décor, etc.) may be attached in any manner to trees, bushes, benches, light poles, buildings, or permanent signs.
4. No free-standing structure may be constructed for any event not specifically sponsored by the College. Freestanding removable displays are permitted if the display occupies a space of less than 200 cubic feet, has a footprint of not more than 100 square feet, weighs less than 300 pounds, is always accompanied by an individual responsible for the display, and is removed in its entirety daily. If a group chooses to secure its display to the ground, it must only be affixed using a water ballast system; no stakes or other affixtures or bases are allowed.
5. Non-commercial pamphlets, handbills, circulars, newspapers, leaflets, magazines, fliers, and other written materials may be distributed on a person-to-person basis in open areas outside of buildings if done in a way to avoid substantial littering on the campus.
6. The carrying of torches or open flames, wearing helmets, carrying shields or bats, and wearing masks is prohibited, per Oklahoma statute (21 O.S. 1301).
7.  Due to the proximity of offices and classrooms, the College does not permit excessive noise during any event. The sound level should not disturb the occupants of buildings or interfere with normal College activities. Hand-held megaphones may be used and must be used so as to direct the sound away from nearby buildings where classes might be held. Sound volumes must be at or below 90dB inside the surrounding structure.
8. The college designates the following indoor and outdoor facilities as unavailable for Expressive Activity:

1. administrative offices
2. college farms
3. greenhouses
4. competitive sports facilities and spaces
5. facilities that house critical infrastructure
6. laboratories, and (during instructional hours) classrooms.
7. Access to any ponds, standing water, fenced areas, the exterior, roof, and sides of campus buildings is prohibited except by authorized personnel. Rappelling off, climbing on, and dropping of objects from campus buildings are expressly forbidden
8. Classrooms are available for use during non-instructional hours by members of the campus and community by reservation. Classrooms that are unavailable for public use due to sensitive equipment or learning materials are also unavailable for expressive activities. Rooms can only be reconfigured in a limited fashion, and the sponsoring organization is responsible for cleaning up, repairing property damage, and addressing other costs associated with use. Furniture and equipment should only be moved with permission from the Facilities department. All use of unscheduled expressive outdoor space must be held at least 20 feet away from buildings that normally hold classes.
9. Restrictions on Expressive Activities occurring in indoor facilities will apply equally to all individuals and organizations and will not depend upon the content or viewpoint of the expression or the possible reaction to that expression. The location must be left in its original condition at the conclusion of the event, and reasonable charges or deposits may be imposed to enforce this requirement.

Scheduling and Reservations of facilities and outdoor spaces for Expressive Activity

1. Use of unscheduled expressive outdoor space may occur when the college is open. When an unscheduled activity conflicts with an event that was previously scheduled for the same time and space, the unscheduled activity shall be allowed to continue in its existing location until it needs to be relocated to allow for the prior scheduled activity or preparations for it. When relocation is necessary or desired by those engaging in the unscheduled activity, upon request, the appropriate college official will assist in relocating it to a space where the activity can continue or in scheduling it for a different time.

1. With an unscheduled activity, participants may not use equipment requiring use of electrical power connections.
2. Use of unscheduled expressive outdoor space may only occur between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on days when the College is open.
3. For the reservation of indoor facilities and college outdoor space, at least twenty-four (24) hours advance notice, as defined by the calendar of administrative office days, should be given. If the event is to be scheduled on a Monday, notice shall be given no later than the preceding Friday. More notice may be required to allow for sufficient logistical support and to ensure the safety and security of the campus or if the requested location is already scheduled for use by another party.
4. All requests to reserve indoor and outdoor campus facilities will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and may be denied for the following reasons:

• The requested venue is an indoor facility or outdoor space that the college has designated as not available for Expressive Activity;
• The venue is already reserved for another event;
• The activity will attract a crowd larger than the venue can safely contain;
• The activity will substantially disrupt another event being held at a neighboring venue;
• The activity will substantially disrupt College operations (including classes);
• The activity is a clear and present threat to public safety, as determined by the College’s police department;
• The activity will occur during examination periods; or
• The activity is unlawful or unprotected.

Event Reservation Policies

Policy
Murray State College (Ardmore & Tishomingo) provides event spaces for community and campus events. These spaces are reserved based on scheduling availability and an established approval process. While Murray State College supports free speech, the college may require the organizing party to relocate if it interferes with or disrupts a scheduled, booked event, class, or student activity.

Procedure
1. Event Space Request:
An individual or group may request the use of college spaces by submitting an Activity Request Form and Facility Reservation Form. Once received, college staff will check the space’s availability. A reservation is confirmed as booked and approved once an agreement has been reached and the appropriate approval process has been completed.

Click Here to Reserve Campus Facilities and Outdoor Spaces

An event that intrudes on an existing, approved event held on campus will be asked to cease and use the proper procedure to book a campus space at a later date.

2. Approval Process:

Once the event has been requested, a series of approvals must be met, including specific individuals/supervisors who are related to the event by its function or by the space being requested.

Once the event has been requested, the approval process may take up to a week in order to complete the reservation and approval process.

3. Alternative Spaces:

If requests would interrupt regular and consistent activities on campus, the individual or group may request an alternative space on campus for their expression that is conducive to the type of event being held. All space reservations are subject to pre-approval.