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University Student Handbook

University Activities

 5.1 Student Senate
5.2 Eligibility for Student Activities
5.3 New Organizations
5.4 Student Events Contracts
5.5 Guest Speakers and Controversial Persons
5.6 Controversial Persons
5.7 Preparation for Speakers
5.8 Protests and Demonstrations
5.9 Security for Speakers
5.10 Registration of On-Campus Social Events
5.11 Security for On-Campus Social Events
5.12 Guests at Social Events
5.13 Guest Registration on the Kingston Campus
5.14 Outdoor Functions Using Amplified Sound Equipment
5.15 Services Offered by Memorial Union and Student Involvement Office
5.16 Policy on Religious Expression
5.17 Fundraising, Sales, Solicitation, Proselytizing, Petitioning

5.1 Student Senate

The Student Senate acts as the representative of the student body in all matters pertaining to student affairs and academic affairs and serves as the governing body for all recognized student organizations.

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5.2 Eligibility for Student Activities

Any currently registered student is eligible to participate in student activities. Certain privileges and admission fees may pertain only to those undergraduates paying the student activities fee. Accommodations for disabilities are available with 72-hour advance notice by contacting the sponsoring organization.

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5.3 New Organizations

Recognition of student organizations shall be the responsibility of and be coordinated by the Director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement, in cooperation with the Student Senate for undergraduate students, and Graduate Student Association for graduate students. Students interested in forming a new organization should consult with the Director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement and appropriate Student Senate or Graduate Student Association committees to determine the proper procedures for requesting University recognition. Meeting facilities and booth space will be provided for one month or until recognition is denied (whichever comes first) for purposes of organizing prior to recognition.

Students are free to organize and join educational, political, social, religious, or cultural associations. No student group shall be barred from recognition as a legitimate campus organization or from the use of University facilities, because of its open affiliation with any association, national organization, or political party. However, no body of students shall organize and act as representative of the University in outside activities unless approved and authorized by the University authorities.

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5.4 Student Events Contracts

Contracts are required when Student Senate organizations sponsor programs or events involving speakers or performers, regardless of whether or not a fee is charged. Contracts are also required when fraternities, sororities, or residence halls sponsor events in a non-residential University facility. Individual students cannot personally sign contracts on behalf of organizations or residence halls. The Director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement or the Associate Director of Residential Life or Residence Hall Coordinator must approve and sign all such contracts respectively. Individual fraternities and sororities shall establish policies for contract commitments within their houses and the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee will sign contracts for events in University buildings after review by Student Involvement staff.

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5.5 Guest Speakers and Controversial Persons

Student organizations on the campus may freely select persons they wish to invite as guest speakers for their programs. There will be no restriction to control the point of view expressed by speakers other than those imposed by state and national law. Students will have the same right as other citizens to hear different points of view and to draw their own conclusions. The University will not be responsible for the views expressed or entertained by either the speakers or the groups. It will not approve or disapprove such views, whatever their nature, rather, it will be concerned exclusively with discharging its educational duty to facilitate free discussion of all points of view, to the extent guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Rhode Island.

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5.6 Controversial Persons

In all circumstances, the civil rights and liberties of every person involved will be fully respected and protected from any abridgment whatsoever. There will be no infringement upon the right of the speaker to present his or her views or to perform his or her intended service. Members of the University community have the right to hear the presentation or benefit from the performance of the intended service. There will be no infringement upon the right of any persons to conduct orderly picketing or make other lawful forms of protest.

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5.7 Preparation for Speakers

Routine procedures required by the University in connection with the appearance of a guest speaker will be designed only to ensure that there is orderly scheduling of facilities, that adequate preparation for the event, and that the affair is conducted in a manner appropriate to an academic community. University control of campus facilities will not be used as a device of censorship.

When it is known that a potentially controversial person is expected on the campus, with the likelihood of generating some form of protest or demonstration, the President of the University or his designated representative will make every effort to arrange prior discussion with the probable protesting group or groups. The only purpose of such meetings will be to establish mutually agreeable arrangements. In no case should such discussion be construed as implying University endorsement of the protesters' position.

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5.8 Protests and Demonstrations

When it is known that a potentially controversial person is expected on the campus, with the likelihood of generating some form of protest or demonstration, the President of the University or his designated representative will make every effort to arrange prior discussion with the probable protesting group or groups. The only purpose of such meetings will be to establish mutually agreeable arrangements. In no case should such discussion be construed as implying University endorsement of the protesters' position.

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5.9 Security for Speakers

In the event of a visit to the University by a highly placed government official or a highly controversial person, special arrangements for the visit may be required. Such arrangements will be made by the University. Special rules and procedures will be devised and promulgated by a special University committee representing the University administration (including the campus police), the faculty, and the student body. Representatives of outside agencies may be invited either to advise or to serve on the committee. In all such cases, the University will maintain final control over arrangements, consistent with the University rules and regulations.

If any special rules are adopted, they will be given wide publicity well before the event to which they apply. It is expected that every person on the campus will act in a lawful manner and observe general and special University regulations. The Vice President for Student Affairs or a designated representative will be present at all occasions when controversy is likely to arise and will request persons acting in an unseemly manner to desist from such action. Members of the campus community are subject to conduct procedures.

The campus police will normally handle such routine matters as traffic regulations in accordance with established procedures and policies. In the event of violence, or of clear, unmistakable indications of probable violence, the responsible University official in attendance may authorize a call for additional assistance.

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5.10 Registration of On-Campus Social Events.

  1. Events scheduled through the Memorial Union are automatically registered. All other on-campus social events including 75 or more in attendance, whether open to the public or private, must be registered through the Scheduling Office of the Memorial Union three full business days before the event. Exceptions to the three-day advance notice may be granted for extraordinary circumstances (e.g., staff unavailability, confusion caused by holidays, etc.).
  2. In the case of Student Senate organizations or fraternities and sororities, events may be registered only by the organization's president or social chairperson who will oversee the organization's responsibility for compliance with community standards during the event. A designated responsible member of the University community who will be present at the event must register social events for all other non-residence hall groups. No student organization may register a social function that is sanctioned for a public health or safety code violation.
  3. If more than 75 people show up and the event is not registered, notify the campus police immediately. If the event is registered, but attendance is greater than indicated on the event registration, notify the campus police immediately.
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5.11 Security for On-campus Social Events

Social events for more than 100 individuals may require security coverage that will be arranged through the Memorial Union Scheduling Office.

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5.12 Guests at Social Events

Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests at all on-campus social events. Guests are subject to the social regulations and other rules of the University while on campus. The student(s) and/or the sponsoring organization may face conduct action for the behavior of their guest(s). The party registrant may be responsible for the conduct of all uninvited visitors at all on-campus social events.

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5.13 Guest Registration on the Kingston Campus

Social events on campus are organized primarily for URI students and their guests. Guest registration described here is required to enhance security during events. The sponsoring group or the individual who hosts guests may be held responsible for guest misconduct occurring during or outside the function.

This registration policy applies to social events such as dances, parties, etc., which include between 75 and 450 people and occur in locations such as the Memorial Union, Multicultural Center, and other on-campus facilities.

  • Advertising for all social events described in 5.13 above must state "Open to college students with valid college ID's only."

  • Any pre-event ticket sales must go through the Memorial Union Box Office.
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5.14 Outdoor Functions Using Amplified Sound Equipment

The use of amplified sound is permitted only between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight on Fridays, between noon and midnight on Saturdays, and between noon and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays, not on Monday through Thursday, except by variance). Complaints will be directed to the campus police. An excessive number of complaints (as judged by the shift commander in consultation with the sponsoring organization) will be cause to order the sound discontinued after one warning.

A variance as to the day of the week and/or hours may be requested in writing from the Director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement for Student Senate organizations, from the Director of Residential Life for residence halls, and from the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee for fraternities or sororities. The request should include a careful analysis of the sound system's impact and all measures affected to reduce its infringement on the community. Copies of written releases will be required when the outdoor location abuts private property.

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5.15 Services Offered by Memorial Union and Student Involvement Office.

In addition to services related to registration, scheduling and security coverage, the staff of the Student Involvement Office is prepared to assist any organization or individual in the following areas of social event preparation: planning, standard band contracts, audiovisual aids and technical personnel, selection of performing artists, and standard agreement forms of renting off-campus establishment.

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5.16 Policy on Religious Expression

The University encourages the expression of religious ideas within the context of academic freedom. Rights of all religious groups are to be respected by individuals and by other groups. Religious groups should represent themselves clearly, honestly, and openly.

Students must be free to join and free to leave religious groups. There must be no use of coercive measures to recruit or retain members.

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5.17 Fundraising, Sales, Solicitation, Proselytizing, Petitioning

Under no circumstances are door-to-door activities or systematic phone use permitted to sell, proselytize or collect petition names on campus. All individuals or groups need permission to sell or display products on campus. Individuals or groups operating with approval must produce on demand a copy of the written authorization for purposes of identification and verification. Administrative authorization does not in any way constitute an endorsement of proselytizing or product, or guarantee of legitimacy, product reliability or safety, or company/ organization history or existence. The individual or group is responsible for compliance with all state and local laws including tax number and product liability insurance.

  1. Students and Student Groups. Administrative approval in writing from the office or department having jurisdiction is required of any and all students or student groups wishing to conduct sales to benefit campus or community welfare projects, sell products or services, or proselytize. Normally, students or student groups will not be given permission to sell products or services otherwise available on campus. (See 5.17c for appeal process.)

    • In or around Residence Halls and University Apartments, from the Director of Residential Life

    • In the Memorial Union and outside between the Union and its sidewalks, from the Director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement

    • In the Bookstore from the Director of the Bookstore

    • In or around dining centers, from the Director of Dining Services

    • In or around fraternities and sororities, from the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee

    • In or around the athletic complex, from the Director of Athletics

    • In all other areas of the campus, from the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will coordinate use with the Director of Lands and Grounds and the Director of Public Safety

    • College of Continuing Education, from Director of Student Services

    • Narragansett Bay Campus, from the Coordinator, Narragansett Bay Campus Administration

  2. Non-affiliated University Groups or Individuals. Permission to sell products or to solicit on campus by non-affiliated groups or individuals will be denied if the product is otherwise available on campus. (See Section 5.17c regarding appeal.) Off-campus vendors may enter a bid process for space should the University determine this service to be needed. The advertising of available space and the product(s) to be sold will be in local newspapers allowing all interested vendors the opportunity to submit proposals. Off-campus vendors may participate in special University and student organizational events at the invitation of the University or student groups following established policies and procedures. (See Section 5.17a for the appropriate departments having jurisdiction.)
  3. Appeal. All student and non-student vendors have the right to appeal to the supervisor of the individual denying the request. All solicitation permits must be in writing, may not be given for more than one year, and a copy must be forwarded to the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee.
  4. Complaints. All complaints will be forwarded to the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee.
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