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Student Activism

Sharing different ideas and viewpoints is a vital part of life at U-M. Our students have a long history of advocating for what they believe in—whether it’s an issue that affects the campus community, our nation, or the world.

Our goals for campus speech

We want to help you express yourself safely and effectively.

Our goals are to:

  • Help events run smoothly.
  • Keep the campus community safe.
  • Make sure students can share their perspectives in formal and informal ways.
  • Address disruptions so planned events can happen as intended.

Expectations for student organizations

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) have the right to gather and speak freely. Like all students, groups must follow the law and university policies, including:

Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations

Use of University of Michigan Facilities

Any activities must not substantially disrupt classes, university operations, university-sponsored events, or the activities of others.

Planning an event that you believe could be disrupted?

Contact the Student Life Activism Response, Support, and Management team at deanofstudents@umich.edu or 734-764-7420. We can help you create a plan for your upcoming event.

Time, place, and manner guidelines

  • Time, place, and manner guidelines regulate when, where, and how demonstrations and events can take place at U-M.
  • Time, place, and manner restrictions are lawful and allow institutions, like U-M, to regulate the circumstances surrounding an event, not the message of the event or the speaker themself.
  • Time, place, and manner guidelines may be specific to particular venues, locations, or spaces on campus. Any existing policies that outline how a venue or space can be used will include appropriate time, place, and manner guidelines.
  • Alleged violations of time, place, and manner policies could lead to individual or student organization accountability processes.

Examples

Time restrictions

  • Prohibit demonstrations in campus buildings outside of campus building hours.
  • Schedule specific event times for speakers.

Place restrictions

  • Establish buffer zones around specific campus locations.
  • Cap the number of people who can gather in specific spaces.
  • Allow chalking only in designated areas.

Manner restrictions

  • Prohibit the use of amplified sound inside campus buildings and on campus grounds.
  • Follow guidelines regarding prohibited items at events or venues.
  • Do not allow paint, posters, tape, or any other defacing of building facades, grounds, structures, walkways, walls, or trees.

Policies for Appropriate Use of Spaces on Campus

  • Use of U-M facilities

    This policy governs the use and control of all properties and facilities that are owned, controlled, rented, leased, managed, or operated by the Regents of the University of Michigan.

  • Posting flyers, posters, and other related items

    This policy provides guidelines for controlling the placement of flyers, posters, etc., on campus to maintain a safe environment, control waste, and prevent damage to university property.

  • Use of U-M grounds

    This guideline explains the types of activities allowed, eligibility, process for scheduling, and other regulations for the outdoor areas owned by the university.

  • University Unions reservation policies

    This resource for students has information and policies about scheduling and hosting meetings and events inside the University Unions.

  • Diag/Grove policies and procedures

    This resource contains information about reserving the Diag and Grove.

Resources and Guidelines

As a public university, we uphold the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the public’s rights to speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition (see SPG 601.1: Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression).