Campus commons

Freedom of Expression

TCC's rules and policies related to speech on campus

The right to free speech is a cornerstone of our democracy. At TCC, we celebrate the right to freedom of expression, while also recognizing that at times it may be challenging to balance the right to free speech with every student's right to a learning environment. Our priority is to have a learning environment that is free of harassment, violence, and intimidation. This page contains information about the rules and policies that TCC relies on to achieve that balance.

Students and Employees

Outside Organizations

Guidelines for Students and Employees

TCC students and employees have the right to use areas of the campus for expressive activities, so long as they do not disrupt instruction; the college's day-to-day activities; nor risk the safety of college members. Expressive activities do not include the right to bully, harass or engage in hateful conduct. At all times, TCC strives to be a safe campus, and we have instituted polices and procedures to enforce this.

The Board recognizes the right and responsibility of the academic employee to insist that students be free to learn and academic employees free to teach broad areas of knowledge, including those that may be considered controversial. Academic freedom implies not only freedom of discussion in the classroom, but also the absence of unusual restriction upon the academic employee method of instruction and testing, provided that they are consistent with the academic employee's assignment. Every academic employee is presumed competent and responsible until specific evidence is brought forward to the contrary. No suspicion concerning either the judgment or the goodwill of the academic employee should find any place in our administrative regulations or customary procedures. The rights guaranteed to all citizens under the Constitution of the United States of America in regard to freedom of speech shall not otherwise be limited or diminished by reason of a person's employment by the College.
The right to free speech may not be construed a right to harass, bully, or intimidate other people. Employees have the right to a working environment, and students have the right to a learning environment, free of harassment, violence, and intimidation. TCC strives to be a safe campus at all times.

Students and employees who engage in conduct or communication motivated by hatred or prejudice that demeans, degrades, or harasses an individual or group based upon race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status may be referred through the Bias Incident Reporting Team (BIRT) process and subject to sanctions.

In the case of students, the sanctions process will be governed by Student Code of Conduct.

In the case of employees, the sanctions process will be governed by TCC's Nondiscrimination and Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedure.

If students or employees believe they have been subject to verbal or physical identity-based harassment, intimidation, or violence, they may report the incident through the Bias Incident Reporting Form.
TCC students and employees have the right to organize events, including peaceful protests, on campus grounds and in campus facilities. While the college requests that TCC students and employees provide 24 hours of notice before a protest, the Use of College Facilities Policy specifically states that unscheduled events by college groups may be permitted so long as the event does not interfere with any other function of the college.
When submitting notice of a planned activity, students and employees must provide:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the individual, group, entity, or organization sponsoring the activity; and
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the sponsoring organization; and
3. The date, time, and requested location of the activity; and
4. The nature and purpose of the activity; and
5. The type of sound amplification devices to be used in connection with the activity, if any; and
6. The estimated number of people expected to participate in the activity.
Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Camping on college property is expressly prohibited by the Use of College Facilities Policy. Camping is defined to include sleeping, cooking, storing personal belongings, personal habitation, or the erection of tents or other shelters or structures used for the purposes of personal habitation.
College groups may post information on bulletin boards, kiosks, and other display areas designated for that purpose, and may distribute materials throughout the open areas of campus.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Sound amplification must not disrupt or disturb the normal use of classrooms, offices or laboratories or any previously scheduled college event or activity. The college will determine the time, place, and manner of sound amplification devices.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
All fire, safety, sanitation, or special regulations specified for the event will be obeyed in accordance with applicable regulations such as the Tacoma Community College security and fire safety report. The college will not allow utility connections, water hookups, or sanitation systems for purposes of expressive activities conducted pursuant to this policy.

The event must not block access to stairways, ramps, pathways, or building entrances.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
The activity must not interfere with educational activities inside or outside any college premises or otherwise prevent the college from fulfilling its mission and achieving its primary purpose of providing an education to its students. The event must not materially infringe on the rights and privileges of college students, employees, or invitees to the college.

Source: Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
College premises must not be used for commercial sales, solicitations, advertising, or promotional activities, unless:
1. 1. Such activities serve educational purposes of the college; and
  2. Such activities are under the sponsorship of a college department or office, college administration, or ASTCC constitutionally recognized student club.
Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.

Guidelines for Outside Organizations

TCC is located on public property, and members of the public have the right to use TCC’s grounds and facilities for expressive purposes. TCC is required by law to have open access to non-college groups. However, the educational needs of our students come first, and our policy on the use of facilities and grounds by outside organizations takes that into account. Outside organizations who wish to use the campus for an expressive activity are subject to “time and place” restrictions that do not apply to students and employees but protects our core function, which is academic instruction. In addition, outside organizations are expected to abide by all requirements in the Use of College Facilities Policy.

TCC follows these laws and policies:

Please fill out the TCC Public Forum/Tabling Request form and return to Campus Safety a minimum of three business days before desired activity date.

TCC Public Forum/ Tabling Request

The college requires three business days’ written notice from groups who want to use the TCC campus for an activity. Notice must include the following information:
1. 1. The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the sponsoring organization; and
  2. The date, time, and requested location of the activity; and
  3. The nature and purpose of the activity; and
  4. The type of sound amplification devices to be used in connection with the activity, if any; and
  5. The estimated number of people expected to participate in the activity.
Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Individuals and groups not affiliated with the college may engage in expressive activities between the hours of 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., and for no more than 8 total hours.

People who choose to engage in expressive activities outside the hours and for longer than the time listed may be subject to trespass per the college's loitering policy.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Individuals and groups not affiliated with the college must confine expressive activities in a location the college has designated as a limited public forum area.

At TCC, those locations include:
1. The area between Parking Lot A and Building F2. The activity must not block access to steps, ramps, or walkways.
2. The area near the "Peace Pole" north of Building 19 and west of Building 20. The activity must not block access to steps, ramps, or walkways.
Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Per WAC 132V-135-050 Posting of a bond and hold harmless statement, when using college premises, an individual or organization may be required to post a bond and/or obtain insurance to protect the college against cost or other liability in accordance with established college policy. When the college grants permission to a college group or noncollege group to use its premises it is with the express understanding and condition that the individual or organization assumes full responsibility for any loss or damage.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Noncollege groups may distribute materials only at the site(s) designated for noncollege groups. The sponsoring organization is encouraged, but not required, to include its name and address on the distributed information.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
All areas impacted by expressive activities will be cleaned up and left in their original condition and may be subject to inspection by a representative of the college after the event. Reasonable charges may be assessed against the sponsoring organization or individual for the costs of extraordinary cleanup or for the repair of damaged property.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
Camping on college property is expressly prohibited by the Use of College Facilities Policy. Camping is defined to include sleeping, cooking, storing personal belongings, personal habitation, or the erection of tents or other shelters or structures used for the purposes of personal habitation.
Sound amplification must not disrupt or disturb the normal use of classrooms, offices or laboratories or any previously scheduled college event or activity. The college will determine the time, place, and manner of sound amplification devices.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
All fire, safety, sanitation, or special regulations specified for the event will be obeyed in accordance with applicable regulations such as the Tacoma Community College security and fire safety report. The college will not allow utility connections, water hookups, or sanitation systems for purposes of expressive activities conducted pursuant to this policy.

The event must not block access to stairways, ramps, pathways, or building entrances.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy.
The activity must not interfere with educational activities inside or outside any college premises or otherwise prevent the college from fulfilling its mission and achieving its primary purpose of providing an education to its students. The event must not materially infringe on the rights and privileges of college students, employees, or invitees to the college.
College premises will not be used for commercial sales, solicitations, advertising, or promotional activities, unless:
1. 1. Such activities serve educational purposes of the college; and
  2. Such activities are under the sponsorship of a college department or office, college administration, or ASTCC constitutionally recognized student club.
Noncollege groups who violate the rules posted above will be advised of the specific nature of the violation and, if they persist in the violation, will be requested by the college president or designee to leave the college premises.

Such a request will be deemed to withdraw the license or privilege to enter onto or remain upon any portion of the college premises of the person or group of persons requested to leave, and subject such individuals to arrest under the provisions of chapter 9A.52 RCW or municipal ordinance.

Remaining on or reentering campus premises after one's license or privilege to be on college premises has been revoked will constitute trespass, and such individuals will be subject to arrest for criminal trespass.

Source: Use of College Facilities Policy

Tresspass Policy

Contact information

Campus Safety: 253-566-5111 or campussafety@tacomacc.edu

Conference Resources: 253-460-2372 or conferenceresources@tacomacc.edu

Use of College Facilities Policy