Free Speech

Speech which is obscene, defamatory or which incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on community college premises, or the violation of lawful community college regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the community college, shall be prohibited.

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The Colleges of the District are non-public forums except for the following areas, which are reserved for expressive activities which do not violate District Policy and which are lawful. These areas are:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza,
• Promenade, north side of Terracina Dr. across from the Quad
• Aguilar Patio

These areas are designated public forums and are depicted on the campus maps.

These areas are chosen so as to provide visibility and allow communication to a large number of students, administrators, faculty, and others walking or traveling on campus, but also so as not to disrupt educational and other activities of the district on behalf of students. The District reserves the right to revoke that designation and apply a non-public forum or other designation. 

Areas of the District that are non-public forums specifically include campus offices, classrooms, warehouses, maintenance yards, parking lots, or locker rooms, and any other area not specified above.

No illegal activities will be permitted, no activities which violate District or College rules, including rules and laws on illegal harassment and discrimination, and none that will substantially interfere with or disrupt activities already scheduled for that day and time in the designated areas.

Prior to use, and to facilitate planning and security, anyone wishing to use these public forum areas must check in with the Dean of Student Services, or designee, on each campus. If there is a conflict with the use of the specified area, an 1 alternate site will be offered.

Hours of Access
The normal hours of operation of the District are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Expressive activities are not permitted outside the District’s normal hours of operation. Overnight use on campus is not permitted, nor is use of the campus areas allowed for sleeping, camping, or laying down of bedding. Use of facilities for similar purposes is also not permitted.

Distribution of Literature
Recognized campus organizations, students, faculty, staff members, or members of the public may post, circulate or distribute literature in those areas designated as public forums on the campuses of the District in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

All materials must include the name of the co-sponsoring organization or individual. Distribution of materials that are obscene, defamatory, or incite students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on community college premises, or the violation of lawful community college regulations or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the community college is prohibited.

Materials may not be forced upon passersby, nor may the individual(s) distributing materials follow students to their classroom, or physically impede the progress of, or in any way harass passersby. No person distributing materials shall touch or strike passersby, except for incidental or accidental contact, or contact initiated by a passerby.

All materials, which advertise controlled substances, as identified by the laws of the United States and/or the State of California, are prohibited.

Any literature that is discarded or dropped (other than in a trash receptacle) must be retrieved and removed, or properly discarded in a trash receptacle, by those persons distributing the material, prior to their departure from the area. Parties distributing literature may provide their own table and chair(s) from which to distribute, but the placement of such must not impede the flow of foot traffic through the area.

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Material may be posted in and on the permitted locations described in this procedure. Postings will not be allowed if they are: 1) obscene, and/or, 2) create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on District property, or of violence, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the District. Postings shall not exceed 240 square inches in size.

All posted communications shall identify the group responsible for it and the date first posted.

Posted materials will be allowed for a maximum of ten school days by the Chief Student Services Officer, or designee, of each college or program location, to prevent litter and overcrowding. If the posting party does not remove the posted items at the expiration of the 10 days, the campus will remove the postings. This process is content neutral and is only intended to ensure that the literature will not be removed before the ten-day posting period expires.

Only twelve (12) postings at a time, per individual or organization, will be allowed. 

Permitted locations are as follows:

• Unsecured interior (except for classrooms and laboratories) and exterior bulletin boards not marked for a specific purpose;
• Kiosks;
• Other designated areas as determined at each campus/college by the President.

Prohibited locations are as follows:

• Secured bulletin boards and any other bulletin board marked for a specific purpose;
• No material, other than campus communications, may be posted in interior hallways, classrooms, and laboratories or on the exterior of any campus controlled building or structure.
• No material may be posted in the following interior areas: closets, bathrooms, ceilings, windows, trash cans, stairwells, stair railings, and benches.
• No material may be posted in the following exterior areas: trees, landscaping, shrubbery, bricks, sign posts, directional signs, parking lots, directional information or historical markers.

For purposes of the above, “campus communications” are communications from the administration of any college or location; any official staff organization; and any official student group, including student government or student clubs.

Thumbtacks must be used to post materials on bulletin boards. Posted materials must not obscure previously posted items

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The following requirements and restrictions are in place to respect the integrity of the educational process and prevent disruption of the learning environment and operations of the campuses/colleges. The following apply to amplification equipment/systems:

Amplification is permitted in the public forum areas noted above, except for the north side of Terracina Dr. across from the Quad at Riverside City College. For the hours of permitted use of amplification, please contact the Dean of Student Services, or designee, of the appropriate campus. Amplification is not permitted during the final week of each semester.  Levels of amplification must not exceed a volume of 65 decibels at a distance of 50 feet.

In the event that there is more than one user in an area, only the user first requesting amplification shall be entitled to use amplification.

In the event that the first user does not wish to use amplification; the second user shall be entitled to use amplification. Under no circumstances shall there be joint amplification systems or more than one amplification system in use in the same general area.

The District has no responsibility to supply or provide extension cords or amplifiers.

Anyone wishing to use amplification should contact the Dean of Student Services, or designee, of the applicable college.

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Anyone witnessing a violation of these rules, may report the violation by contacting the following:

• Riverside – Dean of Student Services, Charles A. Kane Building 201-B, 951-222-8073,
• or Student Activities Coordinator, Bradshaw Bldg., 951-222-8570

The individuals contacted will contact college police, if necessary.

Any person or persons who violate any of the rules listed above will be advised of the violation, and may be removed from the property by college police and subject to the appropriate legal action. They will be directed to the office of the Chief Student Services Officer, or designee, of the College. If behavior results in three (3) removals from the college, the individual(s) will be prohibited from returning to the college for a period of fourteen (14) days, in accordance with Penal Code 626.4.

Students can also be disciplined for violation of Board policy.

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In order to ensure the orderly administration of these procedures, all student services and police department staff that may be involved in the carrying out or enforcement of these procedures will be given training.

Office of Primary Responsibility: Vice Chancellor, Educational Services & Strategic Planning

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Your safety matters. The first step is to contact Campus Police and the Dean of Student Services. They will assess the situation and notify the visitors of their behavior. Signs will be placed around campus to notify the college community about the visitors. If harassment or behavior persists, please contact Campus Police again until situation is resolved.

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If you witness harassment, do not intervene directly. Instead, immediately contact Campus Police and report what you saw. You can also notify the Dean of Student Services so appropriate steps can be taken to ensure safety and accountability.

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Harassment includes unwanted, targeted behavior that causes you to feel unsafe, threatened, or discriminated against. If you're unsure whether your experience qualifies, speak with the Dean of Student Services, a counselor, or a Title IX coordinator to discuss your rights and get clarity on the situation.

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While the college upholds the principles of free speech, that right does not include threats, harassment, or hate speech that violates campus policy or individual rights. When such boundaries are crossed, the college follows a set process:

1. Campus Police and the Dean of Student Services are notified by the affected party.
2. A message is released by leadership to warn the campus community about the visitors.
3. Visitors are informed of their behavior and how it violates campus standards.
4. Facilities places A-frames in designated areas to alert and inform.
5. If violations continue, additional enforcement may be used to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment.

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During regular campus hours, a student can also contact Health and Psychological Services for support.

Employee’s can access mental health services at All One Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical or psychological assistance, call 911 right away.

Our team is trained to help you manage crises and connect you with appropriate care.

After hours or if campus services are closed, please call one of the following 24/7 crisis lines:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

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