Definition of Expressive Activities
For purposes of College District policy, “expressive activities” include any speech or expressive conduct protected by the U.S. Constitution or Texas Constitution, such as assemblies, protests, speeches, distribution of materials, signs, or petitions.
Expressive activity does not include commercial solicitation, defamation, harassment, obscenity, true threats, or other conduct not protected by law.
Expressive Activities by Students
Laredo College supports the rights of students to engage in lawful expressive activities consistent with the First Amendment and Texas Education Code § 51.9315. Students and registered student organizations may express personal views in common outdoor areas and in Board-designated public-forum areas identified on the College’s website. Common outdoor areas are not automatically public forums and are subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
Participants in expressive activity may not: (1) use amplified sound that intimidates others or disrupts operations; (2) engage in expressive activity during the final two weeks of a semester that disrupts operations or involves amplified sound, drums, or percussion; (3) camp or erect tents or other living accommodations; (4) wear disguises or masks for intimidation or avoiding identification; (5) lower the flag of the United States or Texas to raise another flag; or (6) engage in expressive activity between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. All participants must present valid identification upon request by College officials or law enforcement.
Maps of designated public-forum areas are available below.
Related Policy: FLA (LOCAL) – Student Expression
Expressive Activities by Employees
Laredo College supports the rights of employees to engage in lawful expressive activities consistent with the First Amendment and Texas Education Code § 51.9315. Employees and employee organizations may express personal views in common outdoor areas and in Board-designated public-forum areas identified on the College’s website. Common outdoor areas are not automatically public forums and are subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
Participants in expressive activity may not: (1) use amplified sound that intimidates others or disrupts operations; (2) engage in expressive activity during the final two weeks of a semester that disrupts operations or involves amplified sound, drums, or percussion; (3) camp or erect tents or other living accommodations; (4) wear disguises or masks for intimidation or avoiding identification; (5) lower the flag of the United States or Texas to raise another flag; or (6) engage in expressive activity between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. All participants must present valid identification upon request by College officials or law enforcement.
Maps of designated public-forum areas are available below.
Related Policy: DGC (LOCAL) – Employee Expression
Expressive Activities by Community Members
Laredo College supports the rights of community members and organizations to engage in lawful expressive activities consistent with the First Amendment and Texas Education Code § 51.9315 (as amended by Senate Bill 2972). Members of the public who are not students or employees of the College District may engage in expressive activities only in Board-designated public-forum areas approved by the Board of Trustees and published on the College’s website, or through an approved reservation of College District facilities. Expressive activity by community members in other campus areas is not permitted unless authorized in writing by the College District.
Participants in expressive activity may not: (1) use amplified sound that intimidates others or disrupts operations; (2) engage in expressive activity during the final two weeks of a semester that disrupts operations or involves amplified sound, drums, or percussion; (3) camp or erect tents or other living accommodations; (4) wear disguises or masks for intimidation or avoiding identification; (5) lower the flag of the United States or Texas to raise another flag; or (6) engage in expressive activity between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. All participants must present valid identification upon request by College officials or law enforcement..
Related Policy: GD (LOCAL) – Community Use of College District Facilities
Recruiting Activities
Laredo College welcomes recruiting representatives, including employers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and branches of the United States and Texas armed forces, to engage with students in accordance with federal and state law.
In compliance with the Solomon Amendment (10 U.S.C. § 983), military recruiters shall have the same access to students, information, and campus facilities as other lawful recruiters.
All recruiting activities must be scheduled through the College and conducted at approved times and locations to avoid disruption of instruction or operations.
Recruiters must present valid identification upon request and adhere to College District policies governing expressive activities, facility use, and professional conduct.
Identification and Safety
All participants in expressive activity must present valid identification upon request by College officials or law-enforcement officers acting within their authority.