POLICY 08:03:00

ACCESS TO AND USE OF CAMPUS PROPERTY AND FACILITIES

I. PURPOSE
Pellissippi State Community College regulates the use of its campus property and facilities to be consistent with the institution’s mission and educational purpose through the implementation of reasonable, content/viewpoint neutral regulations. This policy, and all campus policies developed in compliance with the policy, shall be implemented and construed to ensure no undue disruption of that mission, promote an educational atmosphere on campus; prevent commercial exploitation of students; and prevent use of campus property and facilities contrary to federal, state or local law, regulation, or the rules and policies of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the institutions, and schools.

In establishing this policy, and the related institutional policies, Pellissippi State recognizes the importance to the educational process and environment for persons affiliated with the ollege including officially recognized student organizations and other groups to have reasonable access to, and use of, the educational facilities on campus, to hear various views. Pellissippi State also makes clear that its facilities are not open public forums but are instead intended solely for use consistent with the advancement and orderly administration of its educational mission for the benefit of its students, staff, and affiliated entities. As such, Pellissippi State does not ordinarily make its buildings or other facilities available to outside individuals or outside groups. Exceptions may be made only if the proposed use is consistent with this policy and institutional policy and mission.

Priority for the use of college facilities is in the following order: 1) credit and noncredit classes and programs, 2) college-sponsored activities, 3) all other requests for usage.

II. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of these regulations, the following definitions shall apply:

1. “Affiliated Entities” – An officially registered student, student group or student organization.
2. “Affiliated Individuals” – Persons officially connected with the institution including students, faculty, and staff.
3. “Non-affiliated Entities” – Any person, group, or organization which is not an “affiliated entity or individual.”
4. “Non-affiliated Individual” – Any person who is not an “affiliated individual.”
5. “Student” – A person who is currently registered for a credit course or courses, noncredit course or program at the institution, including any such person during any period which follows the end of an academic period which the student hascompleted until the last day for registration for the next succeeding regular academic period.
6. “Normal Educational Activities”- Activities that occur outside of the classroom to enhance and continue student learning and project completion. They include, but are not limited to, the following: small group study sessions (whether organized by students, tutors, Supplemental Instructors or teachers), review sessions, open labs, student-teacher conferences and students working together on class projects.

III. ACCESS TO CAMPUSES AND USE OF PROPERTY/FACILITIES

1. Access to Facilities and Prioritized Users Access to and use of campuses, facilities, and property of Pellissippi State are restricted to the institution, institutional administration for official functions, normal educational activities, affiliated individuals/entities, and invited or sponsored guests of the college except as specifically provided by this policy, or when part or all of a campus, its buildings or facilities are open to the general public for a designated time and purpose.
2. Use of Facilities by Affiliated Entities and Affiliated Individuals
   1. Affiliated student groups or student organizations who wish to use campus property or facilities for planned activities or events must complete theG.R.I.T. (SAB) Program Event Proposal form. This application should be completed by the Faculty/Staff Advisor and must be submitted to the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at least five business days prior to the event. Affiliated student groups or student organizations are encouraged to complete the application earlier than five business days in advance for college and organizational planning purposes.
   2. Where appropriate, affiliated individuals or affiliated entities must submit a written request to their vice president through their reporting supervisor and obtain written permission from their respective vice president in order to use campus property or facilities for activities or events, excluding normal educational activities.
      1. Students working independent of a recognized student organization must obtain written permission from the vice president of Student Affairs.
      2. Individual faculty must obtain written permission from the vice president of student affairs.
      3. Staff members must obtain written permission from the vice president of their respective division.
      4. Requests for activities taking place on the site campuses must be approved in writing by the respective campus dean.Written permission may be in the form of an email message. Thedocumented permission should be digitally attached to the college’s facilities reservation system. Written disapproval of a request will include a statement regarding the basis for disapproval.
         Written approval or disapproval of a request will be provided to the applicant within areasonable time, usually within 10 business days. Denial of a request to access/use campus facilities and/or property shall be based solely onfactors related to reasonable regulations in light of the institution’s mission and the nature of the facility or property requested and rendered in a content/viewpoint neutral manner. See Section III.D. for examples of reasons for denial.Requests must be made to the appropriate vice president or campus dean at least five business days in advance of the proposed activity or event. Where an application for a proposed outside speaker involves payment of a total fee and/or expenses in excess of $2,500 from institutional funds, the request must be submitted no later than 20 business days prior to the date of the proposed speaking engagement to allow time for processing any payment.
         The college president or designee may approve requests to use facilities filed less than five business days, 20 business days in the case of a speaker paid from institutional or school funds, before the event, if it is determined that the use of property requested can be reasonably accommodated and that adequate cause exists for late filing of the application for usage.Approval of late requests shall be within the sole discretion of the president or designee. The decision of the president or designee will be final.
         Use of facilities is limited to one-time only events, short term, intermittent, and/or repeat use of campus facilities where access/use of facilities/property are permitted without an associated rental/lease of fee.
         Such uses shall be limited to circumstances where the College does not actually, or effectively, cede occupancy or control of any College property. The vice president or campus dean may, at his or her discretion, give permission to affiliated entities in cases where the meetings are limited to members of the organization, for the repeated use of facilities. Approval for repeated or intermittent use of any facility or property pursuant to this policy may not exceed four months in length and may only be renewed or repeated after review to determine that such use does not conflict with an institutional need, or another request for access/use of the facility/space by another eligible person/entity.
   3. Use of property or facilities by affiliated entities or individuals will be subject to the
      same time, place and other guidelines as are in place for nonaffiliated entities/individuals.
      (Policy 08.3.01)
   4. Faculty may invite uncompensated, unaffiliated guest speakers for regular class sessions and/or meetings without prior application or approval where attendance at the class session or meeting will be limited to members of the class and where no fee or compensation from state funds will bepaid to the speaker.
   5. Affiliated individuals and affiliated entities who wish to invite a guest speaker or reserve space for an event other than a regular class session,normal educational activity, or college-sponsored meeting must go through the approval process outlined by Policy 08:03:01. Additionally, all requests for usage of the Clayton Performing Arts Center must go through this process. Event Services oversees reservations of the CPAC.
   6. The affiliated individual(s) or affiliated entity or entities sponsoring a guest speaker or event will be present and responsible for the conduct of both the speaker and the nonaffiliated guests at the event as well as compliance with all laws, TBR and Pellissippi State rules and/or policies while present on campus or using campus facilities or property.
   7. Affiliated entities or affiliated individuals approved to use campus facilities or property are subject to all Pellissippi State and TBR rules and/or policies and federal, state and local laws. Further, they must adhere to any conditions of facility usage as outlined in this policy or stated by the approving vice president.
   8. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to obtain written approval or denial of any application submitted pursuant to this policy. The approval should be digitally attached in the college’s facilities reservation system.
3. Use of Facilities for Assembly, Demonstrations, etcAny affiliated entity or affiliated individual or nonaffiliated entity or individual wishing to assemble, demonstrate, distribute literature or engage in similar public activity on one of the Pellissippi State campuses must complete an online request form at least five business days in advance of the desired date of the activity. The vice resident of Student Affairs or designee will review the requests that relate to or will take place on the Hardin Valley Campus. The appropriate campus dean will review the request for the their campuses. Approval or denial of the request will be in writing and may take the form of an email message. Disapproval of the request to use space on campus will include a statement regarding the basis for the disapproval. See Section III.E. for examples of reasons for denial.Upon written approval the requesting individual or entity must adhere to the following guidelines in addition to the applicable conditions listed in Section III.E:
   1. Participants in the activity must remain in the approved area.
   2. The activity may not take place in a classroom, library, or other academic building or facility.
   3. The activity may not take place in an administrative area, employee office or work area.
   4. Any literature distributed on campus must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, as well as rules and policies of Pellissippi State and TBR.
   5. No obscene literature or material, as defined by law, shall be distributed on campus.
   6. The activity may not block the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
   7. Participants may not make physical contact with others.
   8. Participants must leave the area free of debris and litter.
   9. Sound amplification is not permitted.
   10. No Pellissippi State equipment is to be used during the activity.
   11. The activity must not interfere with scheduled Pellissippi State-sponsored activities.
   12. All Pellissippi State and TBR policies and procedures and local, state and federal laws must be obeyed.
   13. Activities may not take place during final exam week in any semester.
   14. Activities may not take place before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Activities may not take place on Saturdays, Sundays or when the college is closed.
   15. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to participate in the activity without being accompanied by an adult.
   16. Pellissippi State is not responsible for equipment used by the participants in the activity.
4. Denial of the Use of Facilities – Denial of a request to access/use campus facilities and/or property shall be based solely on factors related to reasonable regulations in light of the institution’s mission and the nature of the facility or property requested and rendered in a content/viewpoint neutral manner. Pellissippi State may deny affiliated entities or affiliated individuals or nonaffiliated entities or nonaffiliated individuals the use of college facilities. Such reasons may include, but are not limited to, the following:
   1. The property or facilities have been previously reserved by another group, organization or individual with equal or higher priority,
   2. Frequency of previous use during an academic period in comparison to that of a contemporaneous applicant,
   3. Use of the property or facilities requested would be impractical due to scheduled usage prior to or following the requested use, or due to other extenuating circumstances,
   4. The applicant or sponsor of the activity has not provided accurate or complete information required on the application for registration,
   5. The applicant or sponsor of the activity has been responsible for violation of college or TBR policy during a previously registered use of campus property or facilities,
   6. The applicant has previously violated any conditions or assurances specified in a previous registration application,
   7. The facility or property requested has not been designated as available for use for the time/date,
   8. The anticipated size or attendance for the event will exceed building/fire codes, established safety standards, and/or the physical or other limitations for the facility or property requested,
   9. The activity is of such nature or duration that it cannot reasonably be accommodated in the particular facility or area for which application is made,
   10. A determination that the size and/or location of the requested use would cause substantial disruption or interference with the normal activities of the institution, the educational use of other facilities or services on campus or the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic,
   11. The activity conflicts with existing contractual obligations of the institution,
   12. The activity presents a clear and present danger for physical harm, coercion, intimidation, or other invasion of lawful rights of the institution’s officials, faculty members, or students, the damage or destruction, or seizure and subversion, of the institution’s or school’s buildings, other property, or for other campus disorder of a violent or destructive nature. In determining the existence of a clear and present danger, the chief of police and president may consider all relevant factors,
   13. A determination that the requested use would be contrary to local, state, or federal law, regulation, or the policies or regulations of the TBR, or the college.
5. General Conditions for Use of Property or FacilitiesOnce an affiliated or nonaffiliated individual or entity has permission to use college property or facilities, the requirements outlined in this section, as well as all other requirements put forth in this policy, must be met. Violation of, or failure to comply with, the requirements set forth in this policy or other college policies may result in the immediate revocation of previously granted approval for access/use of campus facilities or property and student disciplinary sanctions, if appropriate.
   1. Building, fire codes, and safety standards applicable to particular facilities and/or property must be met. The use of any candle or flame is prohibited on all campus property without the prior written consent of the Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Manager and/or other designee.
   2. All Pellissippi State and TBR rules and/or policies must be followed.
   3. Buildings, facilities, and/or property, not specifically identified as available for use are specifically unavailable for use other than for normal administrative or educational purposes.
   4. Sound amplification equipment may be used only when prior approval has been requested and approved by the appropriate official taking into account the college mission and the nature of the facility or property requested, location, and time of day.
   5. Any rental of college equipment must follow the appropriate college policy and procedure. (See Equipment Usage Policy 08:03:17.)
   6. All individuals and/or entities, by making application for registration of an activity and by subsequent use after approval by the college, agree to indemnify the college and hold it harmless from any and all liabilitiesarising out of such use of the property and/or facilities of the institution, including, but not limited to, personal injury, property damage, court costs and attorney’s fees.
   7. Individuals/entities using college facilities pursuant to this policy indemnify the college, and the college may require:
      1. Adequate bond or other security for damage to the property or facilities;
      2. Personal injury and property damage insurance coverage;
      3. A performance bond or insurance guaranteeing or insuring performance of its obligations under the contract; and/or
      4. Other types of insurance in such amounts as are designated by the college.
   8. The college reserves the right to identify specific facilities, uses, or events for which bond, security, and/or liability insurance will be required. In setting its policy, the college may consider the nature and uses of particular facilities and/or locations on campus and the anticipated event size or attendance for any use of campus facilities and/or property. Proof of compliance with this provision may be required in advance of an event. This provision shall be applied and enforced in a content/viewpoint neutral manner.
   9. All persons operating motor vehicles in conjunction with an approved use/access of campus facilities and/or property shall be subject to College and TBR rules, regulations, policies and procedures regarding traffic and parking.
   10. Users of facilities or property and/or their sponsor(s) are responsible for all activities associated with the event. If tables, desks or chairs are rearranged, the room should be returned to the original room setup by the user at the end of the activity. Usage policies must be adhered to in order to maintain the upkeep of college facilities. Such an example would be the rule of no food or drink in the CPAC or in computer labs.
   11. Use of the requested facility and/or property shall be limited to the declared purpose in the application for use/access to campus facilities and/or property.
   12. Access to, or use of, campus facilities shall not be permitted overnight unless specifically requested and approved pursuant to the requirements of this policy and/or other applicable college policies. Such use shall be limited to the specific time and location set forth in the notice of approval/registration document.
   13. All persons on campus in conjunction with an approved application for use/access shall provide adequate identification upon request to appropriate officials and security personnel of the institution. Persons or groups who refuse to provide such identification may be subject to immediate removal from campus and/or disciplinary action. In appropriate circumstances, such persons may become subject to arrest and/or prosecution, and students will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
   14. College property and facilities may not be used by any non-affiliatedentity/individual for the conduct of profit-making activities except when engaged in a business relationship, pursuant to a contract, with the college and/or when a rental or lease agreement is in place specifically for such temporary purpose. (Policy 08.03.01)
   15. Pellissippi State shall have the right to terminate the use of campus facilities or property by any group, organization or individual which violates any provision of Tennessee Board of Regents policy, college policy, local, state, or federal law or regulation.

Reviewed/Recommended by President’s Council, December 12, 2011
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., December 12, 2011
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 4, 2019
Approved: President L. Anthony Jr., March 4, 2019
Reviewed/Recommended: College Council, January 27, 2025
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., January 27, 2025