Rule 40501: Speech and Assembly

1.  Title

Speech and Assembly 

2.  Rule and Regulation

Sec. 1  Time, Place, and Manner.   The freedoms of speech and assembly are basic and essential to intellectual development. However, these activities are subject to the well-established right of colleges and universities to regulate time, place, and manner so that the activities do not intrude upon or interfere with the academic programs and administrative processes of The University of Texas System Administration or any of the institutions. Time, place, and manner restrictions apply in all areas of an institution’s campus, even outdoor common areas, which are designated as traditional public forums. For more information about the authorized use of different areas of campus, see Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80101.

Sec. 2  Regulation of Off-Campus Speakers.   In addition to the time, place, and manner regulations referenced in Section 1, above, the Board of Regents has, and reserves the right to, regulate Off-Campus Speakers in areas other than the common outdoor areas of property owned or controlled by the U. T. System.

2.1  Only registered student, faculty, or staff organizations, System-owned dormitories, and Student Government may present Off-Campus Speakers.

2.2  The organization presenting an Off-Campus Speaker has the responsibility of making clear the fact that the organization, not the institution, is extending the invitation to speak and that any views the speaker may express are his or her own and not necessarily those of the U. T. System or of any institution.

2.3  Registered student, faculty, or staff organizations, System-owned dormitories, and Student Government may be permitted the use of U. T. System-owned facilities to present Off-Campus Speakers on campus pursuant to the facilities use regulations of the U. T. System Administration and the institution.

2.4  An application for the use of any facility of the U. T. System Administration or any of the institutions must be made to the Chancellor of the U. T. System or the president of an institution, or his or her delegate, at least 48 hours before the time an event involving an Off-Campus Speaker is scheduled to take place. Any determination regarding the approval of or the fee for the use of the facility for presenting an Off-Campus Speaker must comply with Texas Education Code Section 51.9315(h).

2.5  No Off-Campus Speaker is permitted on any campus of the U. T. System to engage in speech, either orally or in writing, that is unlawful.

2.6  No Off-Campus Speaker who is to be paid from State funds as consideration for his or her speech shall be permitted to speak on the campus of any institution of the U. T. System unless the institution’s facility in which the speech is to be delivered will be open to the public, including members of the news media, who will be entitled to record, videotape, or telecast live portions of the speech.

2.7  The provisions of this Section do not apply to classes, seminars, symposia, and conferences intended for the use and benefit of students, faculty, staff, and invited guests. 

2.8  No person may in any way obstruct or lessen the opportunity for the audience to take the fullest advantage of the speech, including the opportunity to see and hear the speaker during the entire speech.

Sec. 3  The application of this Rule shall comply with all State and federal laws.

3.  Definitions

Off-Campus Speaker – an individual who is unaffiliated with the U. T. System Administration or any of the institutions and is presented as a speaker by a registered student, faculty, or staff organization on an institution’s campus

4.  Relevant Federal and State Statutes 

Texas Education Code Section 51.9315 – Protected Expression on Campus 

5.  Relevant System Policies, Procedures, and Forms 

Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80101 – Category of Facilities and Authorized Users 
Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80103 – Solicitation

6.  Who Should Know 

Administrators 
Students 
Faculty 
Staff 

7.  System Administration Office(s) Responsible for Rule 

Office of Academic Affairs 
Office of Health Affairs 

8.  Dates Approved or Amended 

Regents’ Rules Revision History 

9.  Contact Information 

Questions or comments regarding this Rule should be directed to: 
•  bor@utsystem.edu