For Students
What is the LMU Time, Place, and Manner policy?
The LMU Time, Place, and Manner policy unifies various long-standing practices at LMU into one comprehensive policy that provides greater clarity and accessibility for our student body and Westchester campus community. Time, Place, and Manner reaffirms the university’s commitment to free speech and expression, while establishing content-neutral guidelines for demonstrations and protests, to ensure they do not disrupt university operations or infringe on others’ rights.
Is the LMU Time, Place, and Manner policy new for 2024?
The policy itself is new, however, much of the content of the policy has been part of long-standing practice at the university. The development of this policy was part of LMU’s annual review of policies. The work groups carefully considered insights gained from experiences over the past year, as well as best practices at other institutions of higher education to solidify a policy that reaffirms the university’s commitment to free speech and expression, while establishing content-neutral guidelines for demonstrations and protests.
What does “Time, Place, and Manner” mean?
“Time, place, and manner” refers to content-neutral limitations imposed by the government on expressive activity. For example, limiting the time of an event or demonstration, putting a cap on how many protesters may occupy a given forum, imposing limits on the noise level of a speech, and more.
Who developed LMU’s Time, Place, and Manner policy?
LMU convened diverse workgroups comprising key campus stakeholders to clarify its policies. While this work was part of LMU’s annual review of student conduct policies, the work groups carefully considered insights gained from experiences over the past year, as well as best practices at other institutions of higher education. Importantly, LMU’s values of fostering a safe and inclusive campus, upholding the community’s right to free expression, and advancing the continuity of our educational endeavors are at the core of these clarified policies.
I want to organize a protest on campus. What do I need to know?
LMU students have the right to express diverse points of view and engage in the robust expression of ideas. All events, whether planned or spontaneous, must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Time, Place, and Manner policy.
Should you choose to exercise your right to free speech on campus, please ensure that your protest is within the parameters of the Time, Place, and Manner policy, including the assurance that it will not unreasonably interfere with or disrupt others’ learning, living, or working on campus.
Organized protests must be scheduled in advance through LMU Conference and Event Services, who will work with you to ensure a safe event. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) must also collaborate with the Office of Student Leadership and Development (SLD). Spontaneous activities are allowed, and must adhere to Time, Place, and Manner Policy.
Does this policy apply to spontaneous events?
All events, whether planned or spontaneous, must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Time, Place, and Manner policy.
Can I protest anywhere on campus?
LMU reserves the right to designate defined and specific areas on campus where demonstrations can take place, to ensure the safety and security of the attendees and the campus community. LMU Conference and Event Services will work with you to choose the location best suited for your event.
Please note that actions prohibited during a protest or demonstration include:
- Interfering with university business (the orderly functions of the university)
- Blocking traffic
- Creating excessive noise that disrupts classes and/or campus residents
- Erecting unapproved structures and/or lodging on campus
- Endangering physical safety
This policy only applies to students. What about LMU faculty and staff?
This policy is part of the Student Code of Conduct, which only applies to students.
What is protected speech?
The First Amendment protects the right of all individuals to express their ideas and opinions without fear of retribution, censorship, or legal sanction. This includes ideas that you may profoundly disagree with, including speech that is offensive or insulting, or what is colloquially called “hate speech.”
Even though LMU is a private institution, it is legally required to uphold the same freedoms of speech as public universities. The California Leonard Law prohibits private universities from disciplining students who have expressed speech that is protected by the First Amendment.
What is unprotected speech?
Unprotected speech refers to categories of speech that are not protected by the First Amendment. These categories transcend ideas and opinions, to include incitement (e.g., advocating for imminent violence, other lawless action, or acts that constitute of violations of federal, state, or local law), genuine threats (e.g., invoking fear of bodily harm or death at a specific individual or group), fighting words, obscenities, defamation, blackmail, or extortion. Unprotected speech is subject to regulation, restriction, or punishment.
What if someone at LMU expresses an opinion that I believe is racist, sexist, homophobic, or offensive to another protected class?
The expression of an opinion, even one that is deeply offensive, is protected under an individual’s First Amendment right to free speech. If, however, that opinion comes with a threat of violence or bodily harm and is directed towards a protected class status, it becomes unprotected speech and is subject to disciplinary action.
In that case, you are encouraged to contact LMU Community of Care, the LMU Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT), and/or LMU Campus Safety, for further guidance and support.
What if someone directly insults, threatens, or otherwise attacks me based on my personal identity?
If someone insults or threatens you, based on your identity as a protected class status, please contact LMU Community of Care, the LMU Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT), and/or LMU Campus Safety. Staff are here for you, and are trained to get you the support and resources you need.
Examples of protected class status include race, gender, age, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status.
Even if a classmate’s comments are protected speech, where can I get support if I believe their comments are hurtful?
Even if the university cannot discipline speech protected by the First Amendment and the California Leonard Law, LMU is committed to upholding an environment where all students can thrive and feel respected and valued. If you have been negatively impacted by speech, please contact LMU Community of Care.
What happens if someone violates this policy?
Policy violations are handled in the same case-by-case basis according to provisions outlined in the provisions code.
Students may be subject to criminal, civil, and/or university proceedings for actions that constitute violations of federal, state or local law, and/or the Student Code of Conduct.
Under the code, reported violations of Time, Place, and Manner will be reviewed by Campus Safety and the Office of Community Standards for further action. You can learn more at the LMU Student Code of Conduct.
Does LMU’s new Time, Place, and Manner policy affect my First Amendment rights?
LMU students have the right to express points of view on the widest range of public and private concerns and engage in the robust expression of ideas. The Supreme Court has upheld the idea that speech may be regulated under “Time, Place, and Manner” regulations. Time, place, and manner” refers to content-neutral limitations imposed by the government on expressive activity. Those regulations could mean limiting the time of an event or demonstration, putting a cap on how many protesters may occupy a given forum, imposing limits on the noise level of a speech, and more.
Is LMU’s Time, Place, and Manner policy in response to nationwide student protests of the Israeli-Palestinian war?
No. This policy was developed as part of LMU’s annual review of student code of conduct policies, which is revisited each year. While it draws from experiences over the past year, including demonstrations in response to a range of topics, it was developed with a broader focus. The policy reflects best practices both at LMU and other higher education institutions, and reaffirms LMU’s commitment to free speech and expression. The policy also provides content-neutral guidelines to ensure that all demonstrations, regardless of topic, are conducted in a manner that protects the rights and safety of the entire campus community.