Public Assembly Policy

PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.

DOCUMENT TYPE:

Policy

PURPOSE:

The University of Kansas takes pride in being a place where individuals and groups can exercise their First Amendment right to free expression. This Public Assembly Policy informs individuals and groups interested in activities such as tabling, engaging in public speech or holding assemblies, rallies, marches, events, gatherings, and/or protests on University property of the manner in which expressive actions may be conducted.

APPLIES TO:

All faculty, staff, students, and visitors

CAMPUS:

Lawrence, Edwards, Leavenworth, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Pittsburg, Salina (KUL), Topeka, Wichita (KUL), Yoder, Medical Center (KUMC), Salina (KUMC), Wichita (KUMC)

DEFINITIONS:

Assembly: Assembly shall include assemblies, rallies, marches, events, gatherings, and/or counter protests of assemblies consisting of two or more persons acting in concert, such as a registered KU student organization, a registered campus organization, or a group or organization that is not a University unit or organization.

Tabling: the action of soliciting, promoting, recruiting, sharing information, and/or raising awareness within designated areas.

POLICY STATEMENT:

The University allows assemblies on campus for use by registered KU student organizations, registered campus organizations, and external groups. The University reserves the right to reschedule, re-locate or disperse an assembly when: a group has not complied with this policy and all other University policies including completion of the appropriate Public Assembly Registration Form; the Assembly cannot be reasonably and safely accommodated at the requested location; or the Assembly conflicts with scheduled University operations or a previously registered Assembly.

Additionally, political activities on campus are governed by state law and certain policies of the Kansas Board of Regents. These and other laws and policy governing political activity are set forth in the Political Activity summary of Kansas Statutes and Board of Regents/University Policies on the use of University equipment, facilities, personnel, and other resources for partisan political activity.

General Registration Requirements

1. A group is expected to register its assembly with the University via the Public Assembly Registration Form. This form must be completed at least three business days prior to – but not more than 90 days in advance of – the date of desired use.

2. No group may use the same campus space for more than five consecutive days or more than five times each semester (for up to a total of 25 days each semester).

3. Registration is accepted on a first-come first-served basis. If the group’s preferred space is already scheduled for the same date and time by another group or University unit, the University will notify the group that its preferred space is not available. In the event of such a conflict, the group may amend its registration to select an available space, date, or time for the assembly, without regard to the three-day notice period.
4. A group may proceed with its assembly after registration unless it receives notice denying the assembly 24 hours before the proposed assembly.
5. An individual not acting in concert with others, and not tabling, need not register when engaged in expressive actions, and may use sidewalks on University property, so long as the individual does not disrupt University operations, the flow of traffic, or any previously registered assembly. The University reserves the right to re-locate individuals and/or ask them to cease activity when they have not complied with this policy.

Manner of Conduct Assemblies

Assemblies may not interfere with routine academic, business or other University operations. Any assembly that disrupts the normal operations of the University may be rescheduled, relocated or dispersed by University officials. Specifically:

1. Assemblies may not impede access to classrooms, offices, libraries, labs, sidewalks, common areas, parking lots or any other University spaces or facilities intended for general use by the University community.

2. Amplified sound using speakers, megaphones, microphones, musical instruments, blow horns, whistles, or similar devices, unless approved as part of a University-sponsored event, is not permitted. Furthermore, unamplified sound that reaches a level that is distracting to nearby classrooms, offices, and related facilities may result in an assembly being relocated or rescheduled.
3. Indoor assemblies in lobbies, hallways, or other common areas that impede access or create a noise disruption are not allowed. Groups that wish to host an indoor assembly should reserve a specific room or designated gathering space through a facility’s room reservation process.
4. The University reserves the right to restrict use of specific areas for the purposes of planting, reseeding, resurfacing, and other general maintenance and upkeep.
5. No exhibits, tables, materials, or other means of display may remain overnight regardless of or beyond the time approved.
6. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on sidewalks or grassy areas. 
7. Participants must comply with all University parking policies. Specific parking needs should be addressed prior to the registered assembly through Transportation Services and Parking for the Lawrence Campus and all reporting units and Transportation Services for KU Medical Center and all reporting units.
8. Camping is not permitted, except as outlined in the University’s Camping Policy.
9. Use of sticks, poles, or similar objects (e.g., a sign on a stick, flag on a pole) is not permitted. Only handheld signs are permitted. No signs, sticks, poles, or other objects may be attached to any University building or property, except for the limited instances allowed under the University’s Posting of Materials and Sidewalk Chalking policy.
10. Handheld candles must not exceed 12 inches in length. Any use of open flames must comply with Fire Marshall regulations.
11. A mask, facial covering, or disguise that conceals the identity of the wearer and is intended to obstruct the enforcement of these rules or the law, or to intimidate, hinder or interrupt a University official, law enforcement officer, or another person in the lawful performance of their duty, is not permitted. Additionally, body-armor or make shift body-armor, helmets, and other garments, such as sporting protective gear, that alone or in combination could be reasonably construed as weapons or body-armor, is not permitted.

EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Registration is not required for an instructor conducting classroom activities outdoors if such location is not already in use.

Freedom of Expression Acknowledgment: Nothing herein shall be construed in a manner that would result in a conflict with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or any other relevant federal or state laws or regulations concerning freedom of speech or expression. This policy incorporates by reference the principles set forth in the KBOR Statement on Free Expression, and shall be construed in a manner consistent therewith, along with KBOR’s policy on the Use of Campus Grounds and Facilities. Nothing herein, or in any other University policy or rule, shall be deemed to discourage students, faculty, or staff from hearing diverse points of view from speakers and programs sponsored by the University or recognized student, faculty or employee organizations. Further, with regard to any regulation or restriction of protected speech or expression, this and all other University policies or rules are intended to be content-neutral and limited to narrowly drawn time, place and manner restrictions that are consistent with established principles of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and shall be construed accordingly.  

CONTACT:

Office of Public Affairs
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Room 230, Strong Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-7100
publicaffairs@ku.edu

Office of Student Affairs
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Room 132, Strong Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4060
studentaffairs@ku.edu

Chief Compliance Officer
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Mailstop 7004
Kansas City, KS 66160
Compliance-kumc@kumc.edu 
913-588-8011

KU School of Medicine- Wichita
Office of the Dean
1010 North Kansas
Wichita, KS 67214
316-293-2600

RESPONSIBLE UNIT: 

Office of the Chancellor

APPROVED BY:

Chancellor

APPROVED ON:

2011-05-05

EFFECTIVE ON:

2011-05-05

REVIEW CYCLE:

Annual (As Needed)

RELATED STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AND/OR POLICIES:

Kansas Boards of Regents:

Kansas Board of Regents Policy Manual on Use of Campus Grounds and Facilities (II.E.16)

Kansas Board of Regents Statement of Free Expression

HLC Criteria for Accreditation

RELATED FORMS: 

Public Assembly Registration Form (KU-Lawernce)

Public Assembly Registration Form (KU-Edwards)

Public Assembly Registration Form (KU Medical Center - Kansas City) (Login Required)

Public Assembly Registration Form (KU Medical Center - Wichita) (Login Required)

Public Assembly Registration Form (KU Medical Center - Salina) (Login Required)

CHANGE HISTORY:

10/24/2025: Added HLC link.
09/26/2025: Updated formatting. 
09/22/2025: Updated KBOR link.
08/20/2025: Updated to all-University policy; Incorporated KU Lawrence Public Assembly Registration Procedure, KUMC Public Assembly Policy, KUMC Public Assembly Registration Process, and KU Edwards Public Assembly Policy.
05/15/2025: Updated links. 
03/26/2025: Migration to TeamDynamix from Drupal.
02/25/2025: Updated Public Assembly Registration Form with electronic version.
09/26/2024: Public Assembly Registration Procedures PDF converted to separate live text page.
05/01/2024: Updated Office of Event Management and Protocol to Office of University Ceremonies and Special Events.
05/16/2022: Updated to align with KBOR's Statement on Free Expression.
06/16/2020: Substantively revised and approved by the Chancellor.
07/25/2018: Updated UEC with the Office of Event Management and Protocol. Updated UEC Guidelines link to the new Event Management Procedures website.
01/04/2017: Updated contact information and broken KBOR link.
04/02/2015: Fixed broken link to Board of Regents Policy Manual.
12/17/2014: Fixed broken link to Boards of Regents Policy Manual.
12/10/2014: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing)
11/25/2014: Corrected typo.
10/30/2014: Fixed broken links.
05/06/2014: Added new keywords.
05/05/2011: Approved by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jeffrey S. Vitter.

TITLE: 

Public Assembly Policy