UC Berkeley’s major events policy

Following a string of speaker controversies, administrators at the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley) sought to refine the policy that governs planning for outside speakers and large-scale events on the part of student organizations. The revised policy responded to and incorporated substantial student and public input, and is more transparent and concise than its predecessor. As a public university, UC Berkeley understood that it had an obligation to uphold the First Amendment and that decisions or policies regarding events and speakers must be neutral on matters of viewpoint and ideology. The university enacted a policy that ensures compliance with the First Amendment and the efficient and orderly use of campus property in gatherings of more than 300 people.

Full text

• Affirms the university’s commitment to free expression.
• Uses a definition for a “major event” that is content-neutral and unambiguous.
• Creates buffer time for the university to prepare for a large-scale event.
• Outlines a safety protocol, including a security assessment, to be conducted at least six weeks prior to any major event.