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Business and Operating Policies and Procedures
Policy: 4.6 Scheduling of College Facilities and Designated Outdoor Public Forum Areas
Adoption Date: September 22, 2025
SCHEDULING OF COLLEGE‑SPONSORED PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS
Approved programs will be placed on the master calendar for the facility. Call the switchboard and the call will be forwarded to the person responsible. Activities on the campuses requiring food service should be scheduled through the respective Food Service Manager.
SCHEDULING OF COMMUNITY‑SPONSORED PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS
To use college facilities, community organizations must apply in writing and complete appropriate forms. Call the switchboard at the appropriate site for scheduling information. Events are held regularly at the coliseum. See appendix for Coliseum Rate Schedule. For events at other facilities in the district, see appendix for Howard College and SWCD Facilities Rental Schedule.
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer camps are held on the district sites. See appendix for the HCJCD Summer Camp Policy.
SCHEDULING OF INDOOR AREAS BY THE COMMUNITY FOR INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
To use college facilities for the dissemination of information unrelated to expressive activity and for the purposes of sharing information, the community group/individual should contact the respective campus Student Services office. The office will designate the location used for this type of activity on the respective campus. This type of activity is generally scheduled with a table set-up in the designated area. Students and/or employees may elect to engage with individuals involved with the information dissemination at their own choice.
SCHEDULING OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC FORUM AREAS BY THE COMMUNITY FOR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY
Community Expression Designated Areas and Requirements for College Grounds
In alignment with SB 2972 (89TH Legislative Session), Howard College reserves the right to limit expressive activity by people not affiliated with the College to Howard College Governing Board designated and approved common outdoor areas. These areas are established to maintain safety, security, and the orderly operations of the College for students and employees. However, designated outdoor public forum areas are detailed below.
Definitions
Expressive activity is defined as any speech or expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or by Section 8, Article I, of the Texas Constitution, and includes assemblies, protests, speeches, the distribution of written material, the carrying of signs, and the circulation of petitions. The term does not include commercial speech, defamation, unlawful harassment, incitement to imminent unlawful activity, obscenity, or threats to engage in unlawful activity. (as defined in Education Code Sec. 51.9315(2))
Amplified sound is defined as sound volume that is increased by any electric, electronic, mechanical, or motor-powered means.
Process and Designated Outdoor Public Forum Areas
Community members and organizations seeking to engage in expressive activity on college grounds must submit a written request, in advance, to the Student Services Representative at the individual campus where the activity is proposed and receive a written letter of approval in response.
The Governing Board of the College has designated the following areas (outside areas operated and either owned or leased by the College) as outdoor public forum areas.
- Big Spring Campus: East side of the Coliseum.
- San Angelo Campus: West side of campus in the open area directly adjacent to the Student Service and Academic Buildings.
- SWCD Campus: East side of the campus directly behind the SWCD Village and in the Soccer Field area.
- Lamesa Campus: North side of the building in the blacktop area.
Prohibited Conduct:
In response to Executive Order GA-44 issued by Governor Greg Abbott on March 27, 2024, and in concert with existing law, Howard College reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safe and accessible campus environment. We condemn all forms of antisemitism, which is defined as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” as outlined in Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code, and uphold the values of respect, tolerance, and academic freedom.
1. Community members and organizations are prohibited from the following when participating in expressive activities:
a. Using a device to amplify sound while engaging in expressive activities on campus during class hours that:
b. Intimidate others;
c. Interfere with campus operations; or
d. Interfere with the College employee’s or a peace officer’s lawful performance of a duty;
2. Engaging in express activities during the last two weeks of a semester or term:
a. In the common outdoor areas of the College’s campuses in a manner that materially and substantially disrupts the functioning of the institution;
b. Inviting speakers to speak on campus;
c. Using a device to amplify sound; or
d. Using drums or other percussive instruments;
3. Camping or erecting tents or other living accommodations on campus;
4. Wearing a disguise or other means of concealing a person’s identity while engaging in expressive activities on campus with the intent to:
a. Obstruct the enforcement of the College’s rules or the law by avoiding identification;
b. Intimidate others;
c. Interfere with a College employee’s or a peace officer’s lawful performance of a duty;
5. Lowering the College’s flag of the United States or of the State of Texas with the intent to raise the flag of another nation or a flag representing an organization or group of people; and
6. Engaging in expressive activities on the College campuses between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
7. Constitute expression that is unlawful or disruptive to the operations of the College, including, but not limited to, expression that is considered prohibited harassment (to include discriminatory harassment) or antisemitism.
8. Constitute an immediate and actual danger to the peace or security of the College.
9. Materially or substantially disrupt or disturb the regular college activities.
10. Result in damage to or defacement of property.
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