Members of the Princeton community (including students, faculty, and staff) are encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students in the planning of protests and demonstrations. As a neutral party, ODUS is able to assist individuals and groups in coordinating the logistical details of these activities and should be consulted as early as possible. Understanding these programs are often in response to national or campus events, a fully formulated plan is not necessary before contacting ODUS. Whether sponsors are considering inviting a contentious speaker to campus or intend to protest the ideas of an invited speaker, ODUS can help.

ODUS serves as a resource in connecting to other campus departments and can offer referral services to ensure a successful program. From the coordination of space reservations, equipment, catering, ticket distribution, parking accommodations, and even potential funding sources, ODUS can connect sponsors with the appropriate University office or student group. ODUS also serves as an institutional resource to ensure that any actions are within University policy.

Student Organizations are encouraged to register all events, including protests and demonstrations, with ODUS or the Graduate School using MyPrincetonU. All members of the University community are encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students when planning a protest, demonstration, or sponsoring a program that may be contentious. Additional guidelines when planning a contentious event can be found here.

Those who are not members of the University community should refer to Rights, Rules, Responsibilities 1.2.3 and 3.2 and also contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students.

Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions

While Princeton generally does not regulate the content of speech, it may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University. The University also enforces rules prohibiting discrimination and harassment. A wide range of protest activity is allowed, but protests may not create a hostile environment (or otherwise violate the law), or significantly disrupt University operations and events.

As noted in the University’s Statement on Freedom Expression (RRR section 1.1.3):

“The University may restrict expression that violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the University.”

Examples of permissible University time, place, and manner restrictions include:

• Time: Amplified sound (including, but not limited to bullhorns, musical instruments including makeshift instruments, noisemakers such as airhorns, and amplified speakers) is limited to certain hours.
• Place: Posting of information in University buildings and grounds is limited to designated areas.
• Manner: Distribution of literature may not block the ingress and egress of University venues.