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January 24, 2025
To: All Students
Subject: Email to all students regarding rights and responsibilities
Dear Seawolves,
As we welcome you to a new academic semester, let’s work together to build a respectful
and inclusive community. The Stony Brook University Guide for Campus Events/Activities and Demonstrations outlines the policies and rules that we are all expected to follow, and is an important
document for you to read so that you are informed of your rights and responsibilities.
Below is a summary of the main points in the guide:
- Being a civically engaged Seawolf includes exercising your right to freedom of speech
through peaceful demonstrations, assemblies, and other activities. It’s important
to remember that a demonstration that is peaceful must also follow the University’s
policies as noted in the guide.
- As a community, we must agree to respect the rights of others, ensure that University
operations are not disrupted, and follow time, place, and manner expectations. This
means, for example, if a University official is aware of a policy violation and asks
a student or group of students to stop a particular behavior or activity, or leave
a space, or move to another location, we expect everyone to comply with this request.
- Some students may not agree with a particular rule or policy. Still, we have a responsibility
to enforce our rules in a manner that is viewpoint and content-neutral for the safety
of our campus community. In situations where students do not follow the rules and
policies, it may result in a referral to Student Conduct and Community Standards.
- Protecting free speech also means respecting the free speech of others. If a student
disagrees with someone else’s viewpoints, they do not have the right to stop that
individual or group from expressing their views or stop others from listening to them.
Instead, we recommend that students use their own speech to share their viewpoints,
with the understanding that they follow time, place, and manner expectations.
- We have a collective responsibility to ensure that every student at Stony Brook has
the right to study and learn in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.
Allegations of discrimination during events/activities or demonstrations should be
reported to the Office of Equity and Access.
- Before organizing events and activities, students and student organizations are encouraged
to work with the Office of Student Life and receive guidance on coordinating a successful event that follows policies and
guidelines.
- Students looking to schedule an event are expected to follow the appropriate policies
and guidelines, including the Use of Campus Facilities Policy and the Community Guidelines for Recognized Student Organizations. For indoor and outdoor spaces that are reserved, the group with the reservation
has priority in utilizing the space.
- Microphones, speakers, bullhorns, and any other amplified sound equipment must not
interfere or conflict with University operations and are limited to designated areas
as noted in the guide unless approval has been granted.
- To ensure the safety of the Stony Brook community, temporary lodging in non-permanent
structures (such as tents, sleeping bags, etc.) is not permitted. Erecting structures,
walls, and barriers without permission is not permitted. Structures that are not approved
will be removed.
- Unauthorized overnight activities are not permitted. Overnight demonstrations are
not permitted in any indoor or outdoor University location. Students who enter and
remain without permission on University premises are trespassing, and as such, applicable
provisions of the NYS penal law may apply.
- Before advertising any activity or event, students should read the Posting Information: Posters/Flyers Policy to ensure they know what is and is not permitted. Chalking is not permitted anywhere on the campus.
Thank you for doing your part to help create a community that treats one another with
kindness, care, and respect.
Sincerely,
Rick Gatteau, PhD
VicePresident for Student Affairs