NTC also recognizes its responsibility to satisfy its mission of providing “high-quality, learner and employer focused, educational pathways committed to enriching lives and strengthening the economy,” and to support its core value of promoting “an engaging life-long learning environment that supports learners as they realize their educational and career goals.” NTC’s property and facilities are dedicated primarily to the academic, co-curricular, and administrative functions necessary to further its mission, vision, and values. In order to accomplish this mission while also recognizing individuals’ First Amendment rights, NTC will place reasonable, content-neutral limitations on the time, place, and manner in which individuals can express ideas and/or assemble on NTC’s owned or controlled property. This guideline is not intended to limit or discourage the free exchange of ideas between students, NTC staff, and/or the public. This guideline provides information on how individuals or groups may publicly assemble or express themselves in a way that does not interfere with the educational experience of our learners or the work of the College. 

Definitions

1. “Assembly” — a gathering of individuals for the purpose of expressing, promoting, pursuing, or defending ideas. 
2. “Campus” — all property and facilities owned or controlled by NTC.
3. “Employees” — all individuals currently employed by NTC.
4. “Expressive Activity” — demonstrations, picketing, vigils, rallies, performances, petitioning, gathering of signatures, distribution of literature, and other forms of outward communication. Expressive Activity does not include social, random, or other everyday communications.
5. “Fighting Words” — communication which, when addressed to an ordinary person, is inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction.
6. “Public Assembly Area(s)” — the specific indoor and outdoor portion(s) of Campus designated by NTC for Assembly and Expressive Activity.
7. “Student” — an individual who: (a) is enrolled at NTC; or (b) was enrolled at NTC no more than two (2) consecutive semesters prior to present (e.g., an individual last enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester is considered a Student during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters).
8. “True Threats” — statements where the speaker communicates a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group or individual, regardless of whether the speaker has the ability to carry out the threat. True Threats do not include political hyperbole, jest, innocuous talk, expressions of political views, or other similar expression.

Expressive Activity and Assembly Policy and Procedure

The following areas are designated as NTC Public Assembly Areas during normal business hours. These areas provide increased visibility to individuals using the Public Assembly Areas for Assembly and/or Expressive Activity without probable disruption of NTC’s academic, co-curricular, and administrative responsibilities.

All public Assembly activities must comply with the following manner restrictions:

1. Expressive Activity or Assembly will not be tolerated that violate the rights of others or disrupt the normal operations of the College, including classes, meetings, or College business.  Examples of prohibited disruptive activity include, but are not limited to:

   • Blocking entrances or otherwise interfering with the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic into and out of Campus rooms, buildings or streets;
   • Interfering with, obstructing, or disrupting the orderly conduct of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other NTC-approved activities;
   • Unauthorized entry to, possession of, receipt of, or use of any NTC services, equipment, resources, or properties;
   • Use of Fighting Words, True Threats, other unprotected expression or activity, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, or violation of state or federal law while using or occupying any Public Assembly Area; 
   • Engaging in physical abuse, threats of violence, disorderly or lewd conduct, or other conduct that endangers the health or safety of any person; or
   • Other disturbances of the peace, unlawful Assembly, or other unlawful activities.

   Faculty, staff, students, and visitors engaging in a disruptive activity may be subject to disciplinary action. Any participant in an unlawful or disruptive activity may also face criminal charges. Individuals or groups who violate this policy may be denied access.

2. A Public Assembly Area may be reserved during normal business hours, not to exceed twice per calendar year. In most cases, the use of the space will be assigned to the person or organization that requests the area first. Where multiple reservations have been made, priority will be given to Students and Employees on a first come first served basis where applicable. The College reserves the right to relocate any Assembly to ensure the activity does not interfere with College operations or the rights of others. Any relocations will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether another area is available and appropriate in light of all relevant considerations, including safety and security, educational activities, etc. NTC will not designate any of the following locations as alternate Public Assembly Areas for relocation: (a) department offices (e.g., Finance, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Counseling, Student Services) (b) administrative offices; (c) classrooms during instructional hours; (d) computer rooms and laboratories; (e) libraries; (f) study rooms; and (g) clinics. Minors are regularly on NTC campuses for special events, and NTC will consider this demographic as part of the Public Assembly approval process. Applications to reserve the Public Assembly Area may be directed to: Director or Assistant Director of NTC Security, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401. Applications must be received by NTC Security at least three (3) days prior to the anticipated use of the Public Assembly Area(s). Priority for use of all Public Assembly Areas will be given to NTC Students and Employees where applicable. If you have questions, please contact NTC Security at 715.803.1013.
3. Picketing, displaying signs in an orderly manner, or mass distribution of literature within the Public Assembly Area is permitted with the appropriate request to reserve (see #2 above). Literature, petitions, and requests for registrations may be distributed in the Public Assembly Area only. Posting materials on walls, windows, doors, sidewalks, trees, light poles, automobiles, or any other areas outside of the Public Assembly Area will not be allowed. 
4. NTC will not permit the display of signs or mass distribution of literature with offensive content that is likely to or intended to violate the rights of others, endanger the health or safety of others, or interfere with or disrupt the normal functioning of NTC operations. NTC will not permit solicitation of petitions, usage of excessive noise, or other attempts to protest, demonstrate, or engage in other types of activities intending to convey a message to an audience of people on College grounds outside the Public Assembly Area. The use of sound amplification equipment within Public Assembly Areas must be approved in advance, and use of amplified sound within any Public Assembly Area must be intended to be heard only in the immediate vicinity of the Public Assembly Area in order to minimize any disruption to the central academic mission of NTC. Volume at lower levels may be restricted when necessary to prevent interference with any academic or other program taking place in Campus areas nearby the applicable Public Assembly Area.
5. NTC is under no obligation to make any Public Assembly Areas available for commercial speech, and NTC may regulate commercial speech to a greater extent than non-commercial speech.  Commercial speech is any form of speech, expression, or activity that primarily intends to market, sell, or promote non-NTC goods or services. Commercial speech includes solicitation for non-NTC contributions or donations. Persons wishing to engage in commercial speech activities on NTC grounds must be granted express written permission by the Director or Assistant Director of NTC Security. NTC will generally prohibit commercial speech activities unless such activities promote NTC’s educational objectives. Under this Guideline, NTC may consider the effect of commercial activity on safe and orderly Campus operations and when necessary, will apply restrictions of commercial speech without discrimination toward the content of views expressed.
6. Damage or destruction of property owned or operated by NTC or property belonging to Students, Employees, or Guests of NTC is prohibited. Persons or organizations causing any such damage may be held financially and/or criminally responsible.
7. All Public Assembly Areas must be left clean and in good repair after use. Persons or organizations failing to comply may be held financially responsible for any resultant cleanup.

Notice

NTC will include information and notices regarding this Guideline in its Orientation materials. Students, Employees, and members of the community will have access to this Guideline via www.ntc.edu. Notices to Students and Employees of Public Assembly events will occur in advance through regular communication methods.

Enforcement

All applicable College regulations, state, federal, and municipal ordinances must be followed when engaging in activities on Campus. Violations of this policy by Students may result in a sanction. A number of factors will be considered in determining the sanction and there are a variety of sanctions that may be imposed as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of College Administrative/Operating Guidelines by Employees may result in discipline as outlined in the Employee Handbook. Violations by all other individuals or groups may be reported to law enforcement and/or result in denial of future access to assemble at NTC.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to NTC Security at 715.803.1013.