Protests & Demonstrations

I. Introduction and Scope

Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) is committed to free speech and expression, as detailed in MCCN’s policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. As part of this, MCCN respects the right of members of our community (including, but not limited to colleagues and students) to organize events on the Franklinton campus, such as demonstrations, protests, and vigils.

The following guiding principles serve as a basis for MCCN’s guidelines for holding demonstrations, protests, and vigils on MCCN’s campus.

1) MCCN has a responsibility to help facilitate and, if necessary, protect these events. MCCN must also ensure its policies and processes are applied in a viewpoint-neutral manner. All students and groups, regardless of their beliefs, causes, or perspectives, must be treated equally and afforded the same rights, considerations, and expectations when appropriately engaging in demonstration or protest activities.

2) Those engaged in demonstrations or protests have reciprocal obligations of respect and may not compromise MCCN’s ability to meet its commitments and responsibilities, including towards other greater community members utilizing the Franklinton campus for the purposes of obtaining health care, wellness, community outreach activities, or other such activities. Events and activities must follow MCCN guidelines; individual participants are expected to follow policies, including the Code of Student Conduct and policies against discrimination and harassment. Disruption includes but is not limited to interfering with MCCN  and Mount Carmel Health System (MCHS) operations, impeding access or causing damage to facilities or services, obstructing or preventing scheduled events or meetings, using or threatening use of force or violence against any member of the MCCN community, or requiring significant MCCN resources to address or facilitate.

3) Demonstrators are responsible for engaging constructively with MCCN administration through proactive communication and coordination. This allows MCCN to facilitate and protect protesters' rights and promote campus safety. It is also important to recognize that the parameters of a demonstration or protest may need to adapt in real time based on evolving circumstances. Therefore, event organizers and participants must remain responsive to MCCN instructions throughout the demonstration. This ongoing flexibility allows officials to address unforeseen issues, support safety, manage disruption, and maintain campus operations while still supporting the rights of demonstrators and protestors.

II. Guidelines and Application

Demonstrations or protests include, but may not be limited to, assemblies, leafleting, memorials, protests, rallies, signature gatherings, sit-ins, teach-ins, and vigils. They also include organized counterdemonstrations.

These guidelines operate in conjunction with other MCCN policies. Participation in demonstrations or protests also requires individuals to adhere to:

1. MCCN directives.

2. MCCN’s Code of Student Conduct and other student and student organization policies.

3. Other applicable MCCN policies.

Violations may result in individual or organizational disciplinary action through appropriate MCCN procedures. Disruptive behavior may lead to:

1. Requests to cease the disruptive action.

2. Relocation of the demonstration to an alternate area.

3. Termination of the event.

Failure to comply with demonstration or protest guidelines or other MCCN policies may result in:

1. Disciplinary action.

2. Removal from campus.

3. Student organization sanctions.

Significant disruptions or failure to respond to directives of MCCN officials may also lead to arrest and prosecution for violations of local, state, or federal laws.

Requesting Approval

Students who wish to hold a demonstration on MCCN property must submit a Demonstration or Protest Request to the office of Compliance and Community Affairs at least three (3) full business days before the proposed event. Once submitted, MCCN staff are notified to review the request and will contact the organizers to discuss policies, event-specific regulations, and safety issues or concerns.

MCCN staff may request a meeting before approving an event, and in such cases, the meeting is a necessary and required step in the approval process. The safety of all participants is of the utmost importance, and additional actions may be required to support the safety of the campus and community during the event.

MCCN Compliance & Community Affairs and MCHS Safety & Security will make the final determination regarding the demonstration's location, time, duration, and manner in conjunction with the event's organizers, when possible.

For space use, members of the MCCN community must request a reservation and receive authorization through proper channels. Location requests will be decided based on a range of factors, including potential conflicts with other college events, nature and needs of events — including potential for counter-protests, timing considerations, and campus safety and operational considerations.

Event organizers are required to participate in communications needed to plan for an event and provide timely responses to emails and other outreach from college staff. Failure to communicate appropriately and participate in necessary planning may result in the college declining authorization for the event or to support an event according to the preferred time, place, or manner of organizers.

Time and Duration of Demonstrations

Demonstrations may not interfere with MCCN’s academic, educational, or operational functions. The time and duration of the demonstration will be determined with consideration to the following:

• Nature of the event and the demonstration.

• Timing of the proposed event and the demonstration.

• Academic calendar considerations, including but not limited to study days and finals and other campus considerations and events.

• The resources and staffing required to monitor and facilitate the event effectively.

• Other campus and operational considerations.

Manner

Location: Demonstrations or protests must occur in the approved location.

Access and Free Passage: Demonstrations or protests may not block access to buildings or infringe on the rights of others to traverse campus spaces.

Noise and sound: Events may not be unreasonably noisy. Amplified sound (e.g., loudspeakers, microphones, bullhorns, sound systems) requires advance authorization. Approval depends on event location and proximity to campus buildings, time and duration, impact on other locations or activities, and compliance with local ordinances. Amplified sound is typically restricted during regular business hours. MCCN officials may require event organizers to change the volume to a specific lower level or cease using amplified sound as circumstances warrant.

Placards, Banners, Signs, and Chalking: These are generally permitted but may not be dangerous to others or impede the participation of others or MCCN operations. Hanging, attaching, or erecting banners and signs on MCCN buildings, structures, or trees is prohibited. Chalking is permitted on sidewalks only around MCCN-specific building (the Healthy Living Center and Franklinton Emergency Room is not permissible). Chalking on buildings or other structures is prohibited.

Equipment, materials, and temporary structures: Use of large objects or inflatables is typically not permitted and requires prior authorization. Tents and other temporary structures are generally prohibited on college property except for MCCN-administered events.

Material distribution: Individuals may distribute materials (e.g., flyers, leaflets, pamphlets, or similar items) and should respect others' right to decline and avoid coercive tactics.

Identification Requirement: All participants in campus demonstrations or protests must identify themselves, including showing valid identification if college officials request it. Students, specifically, are obligated under the Student Code of Conduct to identify themselves when asked by MCHS Safety & Security or any MCCN staff. Failure to comply may result in removal from the demonstration and potential disciplinary action. Members of the public may also be asked to identify themselves and excluded from the event or campus if they are unwilling to do so.

No Masks or Concealment: The use of masks, face coverings, or other disguises for the purpose of concealing one's identity is prohibited. The ability to identify individuals is crucial for maintaining campus safety and responding effectively to any incidents that may occur. This is also a matter of institutional values. Open and transparent discourse is a cornerstone of our academic community. Masking one's identity is inconsistent with our values of honest dialogue and the exchange of ideas. This guideline helps ensure that campus demonstrations remain true to their purpose as expressions of personal conviction within a shared intellectual community.

Non-Affiliate Participation and Campus Access: MCCN values the benefits of an open campus, but MCCN’s primary obligation is to  the MCCN community, and we prioritize the safety and educational experience for our community members. MCCN, including all campus grounds, buildings, roads, and sidewalks, is private property. MCCN can deny access to any individual or group in its sole discretion. Event organizers must inform and be authorized by MCCN if they plan to publicize a demonstration or protest to non-MCCN individuals or groups or if they learn that such publicity has occurred. As is true with all campus events, non-community members may be asked to leave if their presence complicates event management, impacts campus safety, or interferes with MCCN operations. This applies even if they were initially allowed. Failure to comply with MCCN directions about external participants may result in disciplinary consequences and/or the termination of the event.

Conduct: All participants must adhere to these guidelines, event-specific guidelines, the MCCN Student Code of Conduct, and other applicable policies, including prohibitions against discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and endangering behavior. Physical violence and threats of any kind are prohibited. Demonstrations may not create unsafe conditions or violate fire or safety regulations. Individuals who engage in prohibited conduct, disruptive behavior, or are not following event guidelines generally will be warned once, which may be done individually or to a group of participants. MCCN officials may request identification, document the behavior, and memorialize it to facilitate the upholding of commitments to free expression and community values. As required by the Student Code of Conduct, students must identify themselves and/or respond to inquiries and directives from officials when asked.

Clean-up: Event organizers and leaders are responsible for post-demonstration clean-up

III. Safety & Security

MCHS Safety & Security’s role in demonstrations and protests is to help maintain the safety of all community members and prevent disruption while supporting the right to demonstrate. MCHS Safety & Security may intervene in situations that pose safety risks, disrupt MCCN or MCHS operations, or violate these or event-specific guidelines. Demonstrators and protestors are required to comply with the directives of Campus Safety and other college officials.

To maintain campus safety and the integrity of MCCN operations and resources, MCHS Safety & Security may involve local law enforcement (including Columbus Police, Franklin County Sheriff, or others) in some instances to help address safety concerns, continued disruption, or ongoing non-compliance with college instructions.

Individuals participating in demonstrations or protests are responsible for their own actions. If a participant's conduct results in law enforcement intervention, that individual will be personally responsible for any resulting legal consequences, including but not limited to arrest, charges, prosecution, and associated costs. MCCN is not responsible for providing legal assistance or covering expenses related to such incidents. Individuals should be aware that disobeying MCCN directives during a demonstration can sometimes lead to law enforcement intervention or criminal charges under Ohio law. This can include criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, or failure to disperse.