Securing a Safe Learning Environment at KSU

Kennesaw State University recognizes and is committed to upholding the First Amendment rights of all individuals, including freedom of speech and peaceable assembly. KSU also recognizes its responsibility to provide a secure learning environment that allows individuals enrolled at or employed by KSU to express their views in ways that do not disrupt the operation of the University. 

Free Speech Card Public Forum Reservation Request Form

Kennesaw State University Freedom of Expression Policy

  • Kennesaw State University (“KSU”) recognizes and is committed to upholding the First Amendment rights of all individuals, including freedom of speech and peaceable assembly. KSU also recognizes its responsibility to provide a secure learning environment that allows individuals enrolled at or employed by KSU (“members of the KSU community”) to express their views in ways that do not disrupt the operation of the University.

    When used throughout this policy, “expressive activity” and “expression” include non - commercial speech and activities protected by the First Amendment, including speeches, performances, demonstrations, marches, protests, picketing, and the distribution of non- commercial literature. Commercial speech is regulated by KSU solicitation policies. Demonstrations and assembly can be valid expression for all opinions, including dissenting opinions, provided that the demonstration or assembly does not disrupt academic and administrative functions of the University. KSU affirms its commitment to the First Amendment rights of those on its campuses even though the language or ideals of those seeking a venue for free expression may contradict University ideals or the personal views of KSU students and employees.

    Individuals or groups of people who are not members of the campus community may only engage in expressive activity on KSU’s campus in accordance with Section D of this policy.

    For purposes of this policy, the KSU campus community means students, faculty, staff, and their invited guests. For members of the KSU campus community, the unrestricted outdoor areas of campus are deemed public forums and venues for expression. Restricted outdoor areas of campus include, but are not limited to: the KSU Sports and Recreation Park, Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Bailey Athletic Complex, Campus Entry Lawn, S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field, athletic fields, parking lots and decks, and active campus construction areas. The designation of public forum areas herein may not be used to prohibit the KSU campus community from engaging in expressive activities consistent with this policy elsewhere on campus.

    The policy does not apply to University-sponsored activities or indoor areas. Rather, the policy only sets forth reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on campus expression; and it establishes, as designated public forums, certain outdoor areas of KSU’s campus and sets forth requirements for forum reservations in the following limited circumstances: (1) KSU students, faculty or staff who plan an event with 30 or more persons and (2) individuals or groups who are not members of the KSU community who wish to speak on KSU’s campus. By placing reasonable limitations on time, place, and manner of speech, KSU does not take into consideration or take a position on the content or viewpoint of the expression, but allows for a diversity of viewpoints to be expressed in an academic setting.

  • While all the unrestricted outdoor areas of campus are deemed public forums and venues for expression for members of the KSU campus community, KSU has also designated the following highly visible locations as public forums on KSU’s campus (“Designated Campus Areas”):

    • Kennesaw Campus: Campus Green Zones 1 through 7, as depicted and described on the attached “Campus Green Map.”
    • Marietta Campus: By the Globe between the Administration Building (Building B) and the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center (Building A).

    These Designated Campus Areas are generally available to the KSU campus community from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., provided that they have not previously been reserved. They are available to individuals or groups not enrolled at or employed by KSU from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, provided that they have not previously been reserved. The Designated Campus Areas are closed for the first full week of classes and final exam weeks of each semester. This policy does not apply to the reservation of indoor facilities, which is governed by procedures set forth at events.kennesaw.edu.

    Reservations will only be processed on days that KSU’s Administrative Offices are open for business (“university business days”). Though reservations to use the Designated Campus Areas are only required as set forth in Section C and Section D below, KSU recommends that all parties interested in utilizing the Designated Campus Areas submit a completed Reservation Request Form to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students prior to use so that KSU may minimize scheduling conflicts, accommodate all interested users, and provide adequate security for the speaker and the audience.

  • I. Planned Large Group Expression
    KSU students, faculty or staff who plan to engage in expressive activity on campus in a group that is expected to consist of 30 or more persons, not including those who may gather to protest the expressive activity, must submit a completed Reservation Request Form to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students four university business days prior to the scheduled activity pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section E below and must receive approval in writing from a Student Affairs official prior to engaging in such activity. Prior notice is required to ensure that there is sufficient space for the large group event, that necessary University resources are available for crowd control and security, and that the academic and other operations of the University are not disrupted. To ensure the safety and security of campus, planned large group expression activities are limited to Designated Campus Areas.

    The Student Affairs official may only deny a reservation for the limited reasons set forth in Section E below.

    II. Spontaneous Large Group Expression
    If an individual or small group of individuals within the KSU community, while engaging in spontaneous expression, attracts a group of 30 or more persons (not including those who may gather to protest the expression), then a representative from the group should provide the University with as much notice as circumstances reasonably permit. KSU reserves the right to direct a group of 30 or more persons to one of the Designated Campus Areas or another available area of campus in order to ensure the safety of campus members, to provide for proper crowd control, and to limit disruption of the academic and other operations of the University. The KSU official must not consider or impose restrictions based on the content or viewpoint of the expression when relocating any expression.

  • Individuals or groups of people who are not enrolled at or employed by KSU may only engage in expressive activity on KSU’s campus in the Designated Campus Areas and only after submitting a completed Reservation Request Form to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at least four (4) university business days prior to the scheduled speech and obtaining approval for such use in writing from a Student Affairs official pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section E below. Organizers are encouraged to submit their requests as early in the planning stages of the event as possible. This provision does not apply to KSU invited Classroom Visitors or to any Universitysponsored events.
  • Completed Reservation Request Forms should be submitted to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students in person or by email to publicforum@kennesaw.edu at least four university business days prior to the scheduled event. Reservation scheduling will be coordinated by a Student Affairs official, who will schedule forums for expression on a first-come, first-served basis. The Student Affairs official must respond to all requests in writing as soon as practicable, but in no event more than two university business days following receipt of the request, either authorizing the reservation and noting any special instructions, if applicable, or setting forth the reason for denial of the reservation. The Student Affairs official may only deny a reservation request for one of the following reasons:

    (1) The Reservation Request Form is not fully completed;

    (2) The Reservation Request Form contains a material falsehood or misrepresentation;

    (3) The Designated Campus Area(s) requested has/have been reserved by persons who previously submitted a completed Reservation Request Form, in which case the University must provide a reservation for the applicant at an alternate location, alternate date, or alternate time;

    (4) The use or activity intended by the applicant would conflict with or disturb previously planned programs organized and conducted by the University;

    (5) The Designated Campus Area(s) requested is/are not large enough to accommodate the expected or actual number of persons engaging in large group expression, in which case the University must provide a reservation for the applicant at an alternate location that can safely accommodate the applicant provided that the applicant is a member of the KSU community and that such a location exists on KSU’s campuses;

    (6) The use or activity intended by the applicant would present a danger to the health or safety of the applicant, other members of the KSU community, or the public;

    (7) The use or activity intended by the applicant is prohibited by law, Board of Regents’ Policy, or KSU Policy;

    (8) The request seeks to reserve the Designated Campus Areas during the first full week of classes and final exam weeks of each semester;

    (9) The applicant seeks to reserve a location on campus other than the Designated Campus Areas; or

    (10) The use or activity intended by the applicant would violate the General Provisions in Section F below.

    To allow for a diversity of viewpoints to be expressed, if an individual or group has three (3) or more reservations confirmed within a calendar month, the individual or group may not submit an additional reservation request for that calendar month until four (4) University business days prior to the requested reservation date. If, at that time, the additional reservation request conflicts with that of another individual or group (i.e., seeks to reserve the same location at the same time) that does not already have three (3) or more reservations confirmed within that calendar month, the reservation request of the other individual or group shall have priority.

    When assessing a reservation request, the Student Affairs official must not consider or impose restrictions based on the content or viewpoint of the expression, including the possible reaction to the content or viewpoints anticipated to be expressed during the event. The Designated Campus Area(s) is not reserved until the requestor receives an email confirmation from the Student Affairs official, which shall contain the name of the event; the date, time, and location of the event; and the name of the individual making the reservation request.

    Any denial of a reservation request in whole or in part may be appealed to KSU’s Vice President for Student Affairs in writing setting forth the reasons why the appeal should be granted. KSU’s Vice President for Student Affairs or designee must respond to the appeal in writing within two university business days. The decision of KSU’s Vice President of Student Affairs or designee is final.

  • In addition to the requirements set forth above, all individuals expressing themselves on KSU’s campus must comply with the following provisions:

    • No interference with the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic within or under the control of the KSU campus or the ingress and egress to buildings on campus is permitted.
    • Amplified sound, including the use of microphones or bullhorns, is governed by KSU’s Outdoor Amplified Sound Policy.
    • No interruption of the orderly conduct of University classes or other University activities, including University ceremonies and events, is permitted.
    • Motor vehicles may not be used indoors or in any outdoor area of campus except roads and parking lots.
    • The representative who makes the reservation shall be responsible for seeing that the area is left clean and in good repair. If not accomplished, persons or organizations responsible for the event may be held financially responsible for cleanup costs for removal of signs, placards, litter, and other materials left by the representative’s speaker or group.
    • Expressive activities may not take place in a location that has already been reserved for another event.
    • Expressive activities must not create a clear threat to public health or safety.
    • Damage or destruction of property owned or operated by the University or property belonging to students, faculty, staff, or guests of the University is prohibited. Persons or organizations causing such damage may be held financially and/or criminally responsible.
    • Individuals and groups of individuals expressing themselves on KSU’s campus must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws; Board of Regents’ policies; and KSU policies, rules, and regulations.
    • Security fees may be assessed consistent with KSU’s Security Policy. See police.kennesaw.edu

    Authorization of a speech, event, or demonstration is contingent upon compliance with the criteria listed above. The authorized representative of the speaker or group is required to sign a form acknowledging compliance with these administrative procedures and guidelines and acknowledging that the University will not be held responsible for the actions of participants in the expression. Additionally, the authorized representative must sign a form acknowledging agreement to make restitution for any litter or property damage that is caused by the representative’s speaker or group.

    KSU Public Safety and other appropriate administrators will be notified upon receipt of the reservation request. The reservation request is a public record and submitted requests will be released to interested parties in accordance with the terms of the Georgia Open Records Act.

    The University reserves the right to refuse to permit individuals or groups to assemble, demonstrate, protest, or otherwise express themselves in the Designated Campus Areas if the individual or group refuses to abide by these administrative procedures and guidelines.

    Speakers or organizations failing to comply with the above policy may be asked to leave, a trespass warning may be issued, and/or University disciplinary action or judicial action may be pursued.

    KSU cannot be held responsible for the safety of children or other individuals participating in an event. Persons under the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Questions about this policy may be addressed to the KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at 470- 578-6367 or publicforum@kennesaw.edu.

    Effective Date: October 5th, 2018
    Revised: August 8, 2022

  • Yes. The KSU campus community is free to share ideas and opinions, even those that some may find offensive or controversial, at KSU. Ideas and opinions should be openly and freely debated and discussed, both inside and outside the classroom, without fear of suppression or reprisal. KSU promotes such intellectual debates and also upholds the values of civility and mutual respect while debating. For more information view the First Amendment and protected speech.
  • You can submit a question or concern via the “Contact Us” page of the Public Forum website or email KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at publicforum@kennesaw.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As defined in the Freedom of Expression Policy, “expressive activity” or “expression” means non-commercial speech and activities that are protected by the First Amendment. Examples of expressive activities include speeches, performances, demonstrations, marches, protests, picketing, and the distribution of non-commercial literature.
  • Speech is only one type of expression or expressive activity. The First Amendment protects both expression and speech. 
  • If you are a KSU student, faculty, or staff member, or their invited guest, then you are considered part of the “KSU campus community” under the Freedom of Expression policy. Members of the KSU campus community may engage in expressive activity in any unrestricted, outdoor area of campus. Note: If you are planning an expressive activity and anticipate 30 or more individuals will participate, please see Section C(I) of the Freedom of Expression Policy.

    Individuals or groups who are not members of the KSU campus community may engage in expressive activities in the Designated Campus Areas of the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses after obtaining approval from the Office of the Dean of Students. To receive approval, such individuals or groups must submit a Public Forum Reservation Request Form to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at least four University business days prior to the scheduled expressive activity.

  • “Restricted” outdoor areas of campus include, but are not limited to, the KSU Sports and Recreation Park, Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Bailey Athletic Complex, Campus Entry Law, S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field, athletics fields, parking lots and decks and active campus construction areas.
  • For members of the KSU campus community, KSU has deemed all the unrestricted outdoor areas of its campuses as public forums and venues of expression. KSU has also designated the following highly visible locations as public forums:

    • Kennesaw Campus: Campus Green Zones 1-7.
    • Marietta Campus: By the Globe between the Administration Building (Building B) and the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center (Building A), as shown on the Marietta campus map.

    These areas are referred to in the Freedom of Expression Policy as “Designated Campus Areas.”

  • KSU Campus Community: No. For members of the KSU campus community, all unrestricted, outdoor areas are available for expressive activity. However, because the University has a responsibility to provide a secure learning environment and must ensure that the University can continue its academic and administrative operations, KSU reserves the right to direct groups of 30 or more individuals who are engaging in spontaneous expression to one of the Designated Campus Areas or other available areas.

    Members of the KSU campus community who plan to engage in expressive activity on campus with a group of 30 or more individuals must submit a completed Public Forum Reservation Request Form to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at least four University business days prior to the scheduled activity and receive approval in writing prior to engaging in such activity. Reservations must be completed as set forth in Section E of the Freedom of Expression Policy. Prior notice is required to ensure that there is sufficient space for the large group event, that necessary University resources are available for crowd control and security, and that the academic and other operations of the University are not disrupted. To ensure the safety and security of campus, planned large group expression activities are limited to Designated Campus Areas. 

    Non-KSU Campus Community: Individuals who are not enrolled at KSU, employed by KSU, or an invited guest may only engage in expressive activity in the Designated Campus Areas if they have made a reservation in accordance with Section D of the Freedom of Expression Policy. This does not apply to KSU invited classroom visitors or to any University-sponsored events.

  • The Public Forum Reservation Request Form is available at “publicforum.kennesaw.edu”. Completed forms must be submitted to KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students in person, via email to publicforum@kennesaw.edu, or via the web form at least four University business days prior to the scheduled event. For more information regarding the reservation process, see Section E of the Freedom of Expression Policy.
  • Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) seeking to reserve campus indoor spaces should work with the Department of Student Activities.

    For all other individuals and/or organizations, please work with the Department of Event and Venue Management (EVM).  EVM generally controls the use of academic and non-academic spaces at KSU, including indoor space. Individuals who wish to reserve indoor space at KSU must comply with EVM’s policies and procedures. More information is available at: events.kennesaw.edu

  • Amplified sound refers to any sound whose volume is increased through amplification equipment (audio/visual equipment), whether that equipment is powered by electronic, mechanical, instrumental, or motor-powered means. The use of amplified sound in outdoor areas is governed by KSU’s Outdoor Amplified Sound Policy, which is available under the “Policies” tab at policy.kennesaw.edu.
    • Check out KSU’s Public Forum page for more information about the Freedom of Expression Policy and additional resources.
    • Read the Division of Legal Affairs’ FAQs About the First Amendment and KSU.
    • Submit a question via the “Contact Us” page of the Public Forum website or email KSU’s Office of the Dean of Students at publicforum@kennesaw.edu.

Contact Us

Please contact us with any questions or for assistance using the form below or call the Office of the Dean of Students at 470-578-6367 (KSU-ODOS).