VCU’s campus is an apex for demonstrators, from anti-war lobbyists covering the Commons Plaza with soldiers’ shoes to anti-abortion activists distributing images of fetuses.
But the university has guidelines in place for addressing demonstrations on campus.
“Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the objectives of an institution of higher education,” states the university’s demonstration policy.
The policy defines demonstrations in four categories: orderly, inconvenience, disruption and destruction.
Demonstration categories with descriptions
1. Orderly – There is no impact on normal university operations and classes.
2. Inconvenience – There is some inconvenience caused to normal university operations and classes as a result of the presence of the demonstration on the campus; however, operations and classes are able to continue.
3. Disruption – Normal operations and classes are disrupted by the demonstration to the extent that some operations or classes may cease or be cancelled.
4. Destruction – Persons participating in the demonstration are responsible for damage or injury to university property or the property of university students, faculty or staff members, or cause injury to university students, faculty, staff or visitors to the university.
Jon Camp is a demonstrator for a Pittsburgh-based organization, Vegan Outreach, which falls in the “orderly” category. He spends time on campuses around the country promoting his organization and its mission.
Camp said he offers fliers to students who pass by the James Branch Cabell Library.
“Some people will ask philosophical or ethical questions, and we like that too – anything to encourage dialogue and discussion,” Camp said. “On public campuses, it is usually acceptable if you are outside on the sidewalks or on what is generally considered public property.”
Reuban Rodriguez is the associate vice provost and dean of student affairs.
“The university always seeks to balance the right of expression with the manner in which expression can be demonstrated on campus,” Rodriguez stated in an e-mail.
For this purpose, campus officials retain some control as to when and where demonstrations may take place.
“The university has directed demonstrations to the Commons Plaza and Shafer Compass as ‘free speech zones,’ which generally allow for a demonstration to occur without impeding university activity or abridging the rights of the demonstrators,” Rodriguez said.
Student Caitlin Latimer, 19, likes to see campus demonstrations.
“(Demonstrators) are usually real extreme,” Latimer said. “They won’t listen if someone has a different opinion.”
Michael Hartsough, 25, said he is indifferent about demonstrators’ presence on campus.
“I wouldn’t participate, but they are an important part of the campus experience,” the urban planning graduate student said. “I feel that this is a great place to (demonstrate).”
Hartsough also said it is all right to disagree with protesters.
“I think that they (those who disagree) have a right to protest against the protest. It is the American democracy at work,” Hartsough said.
Camp said his organization has researched free speech on public campuses and found the majority of cases favor demonstrators.
“I think that universities that do allow free speech are noble,” Camp said, “and that universities that try to thwart (free speech) are not really giving students the full benefit of an experience considering new ideas and learning.”