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Student Organizations, Leadership, and Service

Demonstrations on Campus

As an institution of higher learning dedicated to research, teaching, and service, Vanderbilt is firmly committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and will maintain the conditions of freedom of inquiry, thought, and discussion on campus.  The education of Vanderbilt students is guided by the University’s commitment to the principles of academic integrity, open communication and inquiry, nondiscrimination and civility.  Students are considered as partners in this endeavor and Vanderbilt expects all members of the community to be respectful of each other and to contribute in positive ways to an orderly and civil exchange of diverse ideas and opinions.  Vanderbilt wants all students to feel welcome and safe in an environment dedicated to the critical discussion of complex and challenging ideas. The virtue of free speech extends to all members of the Vanderbilt community, even when that speech directly challenges the beliefs and ideas of another.

At Vanderbilt, we support the right to every enrolled student’s freedom of expression.  We recognize student expression comes any many forms. Peaceful demonstrations are one of the most common forms of demonstrations on college campuses.  During this pandemic, please be aware that many common forms of demonstrations may have to be modified to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.  Common types of demonstrations and things to be mindful of:

Marches

Individual students, who share a common interest, come together as a group or collection of groups to raise awareness on an issue that they believe gives reason of concern and/or has a negative impact on the campus, local, or global community.   A march usually consist of walking in a mass formation and either begins or ends at a predetermined location to hear a speaker(s).

COVID-19 Adjustments: Be aware that the University is enforcing physical distancing guidelines as recommended by CDC.  During a march, students should maintain 6ft of physical distancing between all students.  In addition students participating are required to wear a PPE mask at all times during the demonstration.  If a speaker is present at the demonstration to provide any form of communication or information, that speaker must still keep their mask on to speak to those participating in the march.  Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in university administration taking action steps to get participants in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.  These action steps could temporarily disrupt the march or call for the march to be shut down.  Students violating COVID-19 guidelines could also be subject to a Student Accountability process.

Silent Demonstrations

Individual students, who share a common interest, come together as a group or collection of groups to raise awareness on an issue that they believe gives reason of concern and/or has a negative impact on the campus, local, or global community.  A silent protest typically sees student demonstrators remaining silent to show disapproval of an issue or group of issues.  On college campuses, students have held silent demonstrations while placing themselves in different position to raise more awareness to an issue.  Examples of silent protest have included students standing still or lying on the ground for a predetermined amount of time.  In some instances, students have done silent protest in high traffic areas of a campus.  Please be advised that blocking or impeding the normal flow of traffic on public pathways and building entrances and exits are prohibited by University policy.

COVID-19 Adjustments: Be aware that the University is enforcing physical distancing guidelines as recommended by CDC.  During a silent protest, students should maintain 6ft of physical distancing between all students.  In addition students participating are required to wear a PPE mask at all times during the demonstration.  Once the silent protest has ended, if a speaker is a part of the demonstration to provide any form of communication or information, that speaker must still keep their mask on to speak to those participating in the silent demonstration.  Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in university administration taking action steps to get participants in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.  These action steps could temporarily disrupt the silent demonstration or call for the demonstration to be shut down.  Students violating COVID-19 guidelines could also be subject to a Student Accountability process.

Demonstrations with Amplified Sound:

Individual students, who share a common interest, come together as a group or collection of groups to raise awareness on an issue that they believe gives reason of concern and/or has a negative impact on the campus, local, or global community.  Some demonstrations utilize devices that amplify sounds or the combination of participant voices in unison to show disapproval of an issue or group of issues.  Please be advised that the University noise policy will be enforced.  Please note that noise restrictions vary depending on location and if class is in session.

COVID-19 Adjustments: Be aware that the University is enforcing physical distancing guidelines as recommended by CDC.  During demonstrations with amplified sound, students should maintain 6ft of physical distancing between all students.  In addition students participating are required to wear a PPE mask at all times during the demonstration.  During the demonstration, if participants are chanting or are in verbal unison, all participants must keep their PPE mask on the entire time while speaking.  However if there is a lead speaker(s) involved in the demonstration to provide any form of communication or information, the lead speaker(s) must still keep their mask on to speak to those participating in the march. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in university administration taking action steps to get participants in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.  These action steps could temporarily disrupt the march or call for the march to be shut down.  Students violating COVID-19 guidelines could also be subject to a Student Accountability process.  Please be aware that you must follow all COVID-19 guidelines, even those not explicitly mentioned on this page.