The use of University facilities and property must:

• not impede student education, academic activities, research, patient care, scheduled events, University functions, residences, or the faculty/staff work environment;
• be safe for participants and not generate security issues;
• allow for invited or permitted speakers to be heard without disruption; and
• preserve the integrity and aesthetics of the University’s property.

Public speaking and distribution of literature under this policy is not considered speech made by, on behalf of, or endorsed by the University of Virginia.

Third-party vendors not contracted by the University who provide delivery of goods and services to University employees or students on University property or in University facilities are responsible for complying with all relevant University policies and procedures.

1. Duties Toward Speakers:
   No person may disrupt an invited or permitted speaker or hinder the ability of other attendees to see or hear a speaker. (See Procedure #1 to report any incident of disruption of public speaking or other constitutionally protected speech.)

2. General Access to University Facilities:
   Subject to University uses and reasonable, time, place and manner restrictions, University facilities may be made available, on a first come, first serve basis in the following order of priority: student groups or organizations, employees, and unaffiliated persons. Access shall be granted without regard to the content or viewpoint of speakers or their sponsors. Individual schools and departments may adopt guidelines governing the use of their facilities provided that they are consistent with this policy.

   To prevent disruption of the educational, research, patient care, and work environment, public speaking and verbal protests/demonstrations may occur only on outdoor property subject to the provisions of this policy.

   1. Access by Student Groups or Organizations:
      Student groups or organizations have priority over the use of University facilities designated for student activities. Other University facilities, including available academic spaces, also may be reserved for extracurricular activity by student groups or organizations.

   2. Access by Unaffiliated Persons:
      Unaffiliated persons must be sponsored by a student group/organization or a University school or department in order to use University facilities. The event must be conducted in a manner that does not hinder or impede the University’s mission. If a resource or scheduling conflict arises, events by University schools or departments and student groups/organizations shall have scheduling priority over events and activities conducted by sponsored unaffiliated persons.

   3. Access by Affiliated Persons and Alumni for Weddings & Memorial Services:
      The University Chapel, select locations in Newcomb Hall, and Ern Commons may be made available to affiliated persons and alumni for weddings and memorial services. Procedures governing the use of these facilities for weddings are available in the Division of Student Affairs, Event Management.

   [Note: See Section 7. Exclusions below.]

3. General Access to Outdoor University Property:

   1. Access by Affiliated Persons:
      Affiliated persons and student groups/organizations may utilize outdoor University property for public speaking or distribution of literature, so long as they do not impede normal operations or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

   2. Access by Unaffiliated Persons:
      Unaffiliated persons wishing to engage in public speaking or distribution of literature on outdoor University property may do so in designated locations. The North Plaza of the Rotunda is not a designated location that unaffiliated persons may use. Unaffiliated persons wishing to utilize the spaces designated for public speaking or distribution of literature may do so by contacting the Reservation Officer in the Office of the President no more than 4 weeks in advance and at least 7 days in advance of the desired speaking date. Reservations are allocated on a space-available basis with priority given to student groups/organizations and affiliated persons. Reservations are for two-hour blocks, with a maximum of one two-hour block per speaker per week. Use of spaces designated for public speaking or distribution of literature must conform with University regulations and policies and must not block pedestrian or vehicular traffic or impede normal University operations.

      In addition to the opportunities for speech by unaffiliated persons outlined in this subsection, events that are held in indoor University facilities and are open to the public or to select unaffiliated persons create a right to peaceful demonstration and protest on outdoor University property in specific relation to such events in a manner that (1) does not impede normal operations or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, (2) is consistent with University policies, and (3) complies with any event-specific security requirements.

   [Note: See Section 7. Exclusions below.]

4. Admission Fee:
   Admission may be charged for events sponsored by student groups/organizations, but no admission fees may be charged for events held at the Rotunda.

   [Note: See Section 7. Exclusions below.]

5. Limits on Advertising, Sales, and Solicitation:
   Direct advertising, sales, and commercial solicitation by affiliated and unaffiliated persons are not permitted on University property or in University facilities, including University Housing. Student groups or organizations may, however, engage in promotional and fundraising activity if such activity does not disrupt University business, generate security issues, duplicate services or goods provided at the University, block sidewalks or roads, impair the aesthetics and integrity of University property, or generate personal profit for individuals.

   The following sites may be reserved for promotional activities or fundraising by student groups or organizations: Northwest sidewalk of the lower Lawn, Second Floor of Newcomb Hall, Monroe Plaza, and Observatory Hill. No sales or promotional activity is permitted on the upper Lawn, in the Academical Village, or in the Gardens. Promotional activity or fundraising by student groups/organizations shall occur only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

   Section (5) Limits on Advertising, Sales, and Commercial Solicitation shall not apply to University facilities operated by or under the control of the Medical Center, the School of Medicine, and the School of Nursing. See the Related Information Section for Medical Center and Health System policies that may apply.

   [Note: See Section 7. Exclusions below.]

6. Use of the Lawn and Gardens:
   Given the residential and historical nature of the Lawn and Gardens, outdoor events around the Lawn or at or around the Lower Lawn or Gardens must be approved in advance by Student Affairs. Use of such spaces must conform with Student Affairs policies and rules.

   The upper Lawn may be reserved only for activities and official events sponsored by the University. Student groups/organizations or University schools and departments are permitted to use tables on the Lower Lawn only by advance reservation with Division of Student Affairs, Event Management and may not use tables for a period of time that exceeds three consecutive calendar days. No other structure is permitted on the Lawn except those deemed necessary by the University to accommodate residents and visitors or support official University activities or events.

   [Note: See Section 7. Exclusions below.]

7. Exclusions:
   Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this policy do not apply to: (1) use of University facilities and property for activities and official events endorsed by the President and sponsored by the Office of Major Events, another University office, or a University-Associated Organization; (2) use of University facilities and property by its employees acting within the course and scope of their employment; (3) use of University facilities and property by vendors and other unaffiliated persons that have a contractual relationship with the University, in the course of the performance of the contract; or (4) use of University property that is the subject of a separate lease or management agreement which establishes the terms and conditions of use (including but not limited to the Forum Hotel, the Colonnade Club, ground-leased fraternity houses, and John Paul Jones arena).

8. Use of Memorial Sites on University Grounds:
   Several memorial sites exist across University Grounds, specifically the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, University Cemetery & Columbarium, the former George Rogers Clark statue site, and enslaved or free laborer cemeteries (including the Maury Cemetery and Kitty Foster Homestead and Cemetery) (collectively known as “Memorial Sites”). Given their reverent purpose of solemn and respectful remembrance, these Memorial Sites carry additional requirements and conditions for use:

   • Only events sponsored or co-sponsored by a University school or department may be scheduled at Memorial Sites.

   • Unaffiliated persons may not engage in public speaking or distribution of literature at Memorial Sites.

   • Affiliated and unaffiliated persons may visit Memorial Sites when there are no scheduled events and they are not closed.

   • At no time shall any person attach objects or make markings of any kind on memorial structures, climb or jump on memorial structures, or in any way disrupt the aesthetics of the site.

   • Use of the sites must adhere to all University policies including, but not limited to, Amplified Sound; Exterior Posting and Chalking; Regulation of Weapons, Fireworks, Explosives, and Other Prohibited Items; and Open Burn and Open Flame Operations.

   Inquiries about the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers and the former George Rogers Clark statue site may be directed to [email protected].

9. Persons Lawfully in Charge:
   In addition to University personnel responsible for the management or supervision of University property and activities, University law-enforcement officers are lawfully in charge of University property for purposes of forbidding entry upon or within or prohibiting remaining upon or within University property in violation of this policy.

10. Compliance with Policy:
    Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination and expulsion in accordance with relevant University policies. Failure to adhere to the University procedures stipulated below will result in revocation of an approved reservation, other appropriate administrative action, and/or prosecution for trespass or other offenses under state law.

    Entry onto or occupation of University property or any University facility in violation of this policy is prohibited. Any person who violates this policy may be removed and/or prosecuted for trespass, disorderly conduct, or other offenses under state law.

    Individuals or groups not in compliance with this policy may have their event cancelled, suspended, or terminated.

    Affiliated persons who have questions about the application of this policy may contact Student Affairs. Unaffiliated persons who have questions about this policy may contact the Reservation Officer in the Office of the President.

Required Policy Review: This policy shall be reviewed periodically and must be reviewed by July 1 of each year.