Campus Security

Emergency Procedures Guide and Guidelines for Lenoir-Rhyne University

CIVIL DISTURBANCE OR DEMONSTRATION

1. Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing and rallies will be peaceful and non-obstructive.  A student demonstration should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exist as a result of the demonstration.

   1. Interference with the normal operations of the University

   2. Prevention of access to office, building or other University facilities.

   3. Threat of physical harm to persons or damage to University facilities.

2. If any of these conditions exists, Security and Safety should be notified and will be responsible for contacting and informing the President and Vice Presidents.  Depending upon the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures listed below should be followed:

   1. PEACEFUL, NON-OBSTRUCTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

      1. Generally, demonstrations of this kind should not be obstructed or provoked.  Efforts should be made to conduct University business as normally as possible.

      2. If demonstrators are asked to leave and refuse to leave by regular closing time:

         1. Arrangements should be made by the Director of Security and Safety to monitor the situation during non-business hours, or

         2. Determination will be made to treat the violation of regular closing hours as a disruptive demonstration (see section 2).

   2. NON-VIOLENT, DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

      1. In the event that the demonstrations block access to University facilities, or interferes with the operation of the University:

         1. Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designate.

         2. The Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will consider having a photographer available.

         3. Key University personnel and student leaders will be asked by the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs to proceed to the area and propose that the demonstrators desist.

         4. The Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, or his/her designate will go to the area and ask the demonstrators to leave, or to discontinue the disruptive activities.

         5. If the demonstrators persist in the disruptive activity, they will be apprised that failure to discontinue the specified action within a determined length of time may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, or possible intervention by civil authorities (see attachment A).  Except in extreme emergencies the President will be consulted before such disciplinary actions are taken.

         6. Efforts should be made to secure positive identification of demonstrators in violation to facilitate later testimony, including photographs if deemed advisable.

         7. After consultation with the President and Director of Security and Safety by the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, the need for an injunction and intervention of civil authorities will be determined.

         8. If determination is made to seek the intervention of civil authorities, the demonstrators should be informed.  Upon arrival of the Hickory Police Department, the remaining demonstrators will be warned of the intention to arrest.

   3. VIOLENT, DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS:  In the event that a violent demonstration in which injury to persons, damage to property occurs, appears imminent, the President and Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will be notified.

      1. DURING BUSINESS HOURS:

         1. In coordination with the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Security and Safety will contact the Hickory Police Department.

         2. If available, the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will alert the President, who will then call for a photographer to report to an advantageous location for photographing the demonstration.

         3. The President, in consultation with the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and the Director of Security and Safety, will determine the possible need for an injunction.

         4. The Director of Security and Safety will provide an officer and/or radio for communication between the University and the Hickory Police Department as needed.

      2. AFTER BUSINESS HOURS:

         1. The Director of Security and Safety should be immediately notified of the disturbance.

         2. A Security and Safety Officer will investigate the disruption and advise the Director of Security and Safety and the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs of the disturbance.

         3. The Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will:

            1. Report the circumstances to the President.

            2. Notify key administrators and if appropriate, the administrator responsible for the building and/or area.

            3. Notify the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

            4. Arrange for a photographer.

            5. If necessary the President, or the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs will call for the assistance from the Hickory Police Department.

      3. The Director of Security and Safety reserves the right to call for assistance from the Hickory Police Department without counsel from others if it is deemed to be of paramount importance to the safety of persons involved.

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