Student Organization Events 

Events hosted by Union recognized student organizations are overseen by the Rensselaer Union and in compliance with event protocol established in both the Rensselaer Union General Policies (RUGP) and the RPI Student Handbook. 

Events hosted by student organizations recognized by other departments are overseen by the recognizing department with support from the Rensselaer Union and in compliance with the event protocol established in both the Rensselaer Union General Policies (RUGP) and the RPI Student Handbook. 

Should the nature of any proposed event represent a potential safety threat to campus public safety as determined by the Director of the Union, the event and its organizers will be referred to the Dean of Students office for review and consultation with Public Safety. Examples of referrals may include outside speakers or performers; restricted participation; outdoor events expecting over 100 people; and non-RPI affiliated attendance.

Additional support measures may be put in place for these events, including sign-in tables with campus ID checks (RPI community) or driver’s license (off-campus guests), staff and security presence, and plain clothes officers at the event.

Faculty and/or Staff Events

Faculty/staff events are overseen by the appropriate department, school, or division leadership.

External Requests for Events 

External visitors are referred to the Office of Community Engagement and Communications (OCEC).

Peaceful Demonstrations must include the following:

1. A completed application for the Peaceful Demonstration.
2. A letter of intent outlining the purpose and location of the Peaceful Demonstration.
   • Outdoor areas can be reserved through Rensselaer's Room Reservations System.
   • You will receive an email confirming your request has been received and that the reservation is tentative.
   • Space requests for your event will only be approved if your application is approved.
3. Signed acknowledgment of full review and understanding of all policies relating to Peaceful Demonstrations and rules for maintenance of public order outlined in the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

For demonstrations to be considered for approval, all paperwork must be received in the Dean of Students Office at least seven (7) business days prior to the proposed demonstration date. This information follows regulations as noted in the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Additional information and guidelines for peaceful demonstration and rules for maintenance of public order can be found in the “Rules for Maintenance of Public Order” section of the Handbook.

Notification of the decision will be made pending the outcome of a meeting with the Dean of Students and the main applicant.

Sign Policy

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Rules for Maintenance of Public Order

The following rules and regulations are adopted to maintain public order on the university campus and other university property.

1. Any act which would constitute a violation of federal, New York, or local law if committed off campus is prohibited on campus or on other university property.
2. No unauthorized person or persons shall interfere with reasonable and free access to, exit from, and normal use of any university building, classroom, or other university premises.
3. No unauthorized person or persons shall interfere with the freedom of movement or speech of any individual or group.
4. When a speaker is the object of protest or controversy, no unauthorized person or persons shall take any sign or other demonstration impediments into the building where the speech is to take place.
5. Every person who attends any lecture, speech, discussion, or public event shall treat all participants in an orderly and reasonably courteous manner.
6. No unauthorized person or persons shall disrupt or interfere with classes, educational activities, or any events sponsored by any university officer or official, faculty group, or student group.
7. No unauthorized person or persons shall utilize or threaten physical force, physical harassment, or physical obstruction.
8. No person or persons shall use language or actions likely to provoke or encourage physical violence.
9. No person or persons shall use, in public, language or gestures which are unreasonably abusive or obscene.
10. No person or persons shall, without proper authority, occupy any university buildings or premises.
11. No person or persons shall examine, disturb, or destroy university records without permission of the person authorized to deal with such records.
12. No person or persons shall cause injury or damage to person or property.
13. Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization is prohibited.
14. The possession of dangerous weapons, chemicals, explosive devices, or materials including, but not limited to, firearms, air guns, prohibited knives (such as switch knives, swords, daggers, gravity knives, throwing stars, and knives with blades more than three inches long), ammunition, slingshots, metallic knuckles, bows and arrows, fireworks, and bombs is prohibited.
15. In addition to complying with the requirements of the foregoing specific regulations, which are not exhaustive, members of the academic community shall conduct themselves in a manner which does not unreasonably disrupt the academic community or unreasonably infringe upon the rights of others.

Bias Acts, Discriminatory Behavior, and Harassment

Rensselaer defines an incident of bias as an action(s) that may harm, harass, or threaten (including but not limited to acts that may cause physical injury, psychological pain or distress, emotional unrest, and discriminatory practices that directly or indirectly impact an individual’s ability to perform, etc.) and that one could reasonably and prudently conclude is motivated, in whole or in part, by the alleged offender’s bias against a person or group on the basis of an actual or perceived aspect of identity, including but not limited

Marginalizing/Marginalized Identity

These terms are used to describe how certain classes or identities of people have been historically ostracized, oppressed and/or treated inequitably and unequally comparatively to the majority groups which often experience privilege based on their identity. 

Grounds for Disciplinary Action - No. 10: Threatening Behavior

Physical assault, or conduct that threatens, encourages, or causes physical harm to persons or property. 

Room Reservations

Individual students or groups who wish to reserve buildings, classrooms, or outdoor facilities at Rensselaer should consult with the Facilities Coordinator or the specified Scheduler who is responsible for referring such requests to the appropriate departments. Students should also be familiar with the “Rensselaer Guide for Events, Rooms, and Services” and the rooms and spaces that may be requested through the Rensselaer’s Room Reservations System.

Sponsoring groups or individuals are responsible for reasonable control and care of participants, spectators, and property during events under their sponsorship.

RPI Event Rubric

Pen America Free Speech Guide