The Philosophy Statement of Saint Xavier University is intended to be complementary to its Mission Statement. Both statements address how the University seeks to fulfill its educational mission in the context of its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage.
More specifically, the "University continues to build upon the ideals of its founders and sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy, who...established an academy defined by intellectual rigor in the tradition of the liberal arts, the encouragement of religious faith, and action in solidarity with the economically poor of the world, especially women and children." Further, "in all programs of study, the University encourages the examination of fundamental questions of human concern, respectful dialogue in the context of diverse points of view and experience, as well as the search for truth and justice."
The University community also recognizes that the search for truth, the debate of ideas and the process of thinking critically might, at times, lead individuals or groups to wish to express their views through dissent or forms of public demonstration. As an academic institution committed to the free expression of ideas, Saint Xavier University supports the freedom of individuals and groups to engage in public demonstration as a form of discourse. At the same time, the University must balance this freedom of expression with the mission of the institution and the rights of its members to pursue their academic and vocational objectives without unreasonable obstruction or hindrance.
The University expects that those who enjoy freedom of expression also must accept responsibility for order and discipline by demonstrating in a peaceful and non-disruptive manner. Rooted in the University's core value of respect, permissible demonstrations do not include unlawful activity, activity that threatens or endangers the safety of any person or persons, the destruction of property, or obstruction of the normal operations of the University. In addition, expression that is indecent, obscene, graphically violent or grossly offensive on matters such as race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law is inconsistent with the accepted norms of conduct at the University and will not be tolerated.
The use of the University forum does not imply the acceptance or endorsement of the views expressed by the University.
Guidelines for Demonstrations
Students planning a demonstration should complete a Demonstration Registration form (available through The Den) and arrange for a meeting with the Dean of Students to discuss the proposed event. Students are expected to abide by the agreed upon arrangements throughout the course of the demonstration.
Leadership and Prior Approval
A member of the Saint Xavier University community (student, faculty or staff member) must be designated Organizer/Liaison for each protest/demonstration (the "Event"). The Organizer/Liaison must meet with the Dean of Students or designee to coordinate the planned Event and is encouraged to schedule this meeting well in advance. To schedule this meeting, the organizer must contact the Office of the Dean of Students. If the Organizer/Liaison is planning the Event on behalf of a registered student organization, the advisor of the RSO is strongly encouraged to attend this meeting as well.
The Dean of Students/designee will meet with the organizer (and advisor, if relevant) within one business day of receipt of the event request. The proposed Event may be scheduled no fewer than two business days after this meeting is held. This two-day period may be extended at the discretion of the University if additional planning or preparation time is needed. Organizers should therefore plan accordingly and submit proposals as early as possible before the anticipated Event date. The meeting with the Dean/designee will be to review the details of the proposed Event including proposed time, place, manner (such as walk, sit-in, fixed or temporary artistic or expressive installations, postings or visual displays or exhibits, coordinated attire, etc.) and planned size of the event. Accordingly, expectations, rights, responsibilities, and logistical considerations will be discussed. In conjunction with this meeting, the Organizer/Liaison will submit a "Demonstration Proposal" form. Following this meeting, if all parties are in agreement regarding the substance of the proposed Event and the institutional expectations, the Event will be tentatively approved and the Proposal Form will be shared with relevant campus offices before final approval is granted.
Reservation of campus space for any Event will be contingent upon availability. Space cannot be reserved without prior approval.
Measures to ensure safety and security
All students who are members of the University community have the right to peaceful demonstration (including but not limited to rallies, gatherings, protests, parades, and processions) on campus. However, disruptive demonstration, here defined as any demonstration that unreasonably interferes with the rights or safety of others, is strictly prohibited.
In order to avoid any misunderstanding of what is a peaceful demonstration (permitted) and what is a disruptive or unsafe demonstration (prohibited), the following non-exhaustive list of characteristics is provided.
A demonstration is disruptive or unsafe if it includes any activity that:
- Denies or unreasonably interferes with the rights of other students, faculty or staff of the University, including the rights of others to demonstrate.
- Occurs in a way that blocks entrances, exits, or passageways from or to any University building or vehicle traffic on or to the campus.
- Occurs inside University buildings other than in designated spaces in the Warde Academic Center. The approved Event cannot interfere with the daily business, traffic flow, ingress/egress patterns or scheduled events in any facility. The approved Event must cease in the event of an emergency or building evacuation.
- Includes the use or location of any temporary or fixed structures on University property that are not original to the campus or to its official physical plant; these may include (but are not limited to) camping or living tents, motor homes, other temporary structures designed for living purposes, or compounds or encampments comprised thereof.
- Violates any ordinance or law.
- Creates a volume of noise that prevents members of the University community from carrying on their normal activities; the use of any amplified sound devices must receive detailed pre-approval.
- Places the health or safety of any member of the University community at risk.
- Employs force or violence or threatens force or violence against any persons or property.
- Congregates or assembles in any University building or on University property in ways that disrupt the University's normal functions or results in damage to property.
- Fails to observe established closing hours of buildings.
- Fails to comply with any other University policy or any other lawful directive, including a directive to cease the Event. Disruptive demonstrations must be suspended or stopped immediately at the direction of Saint Xavier University Public Safety or the Dean of Students or designee. The University may also seek the assistance of law enforcement, such as the Chicago Police Department, to disband unlawful or unauthorized demonstrations. Any student who participates in or assists in facilitating a disruptive demonstration may face disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
Rules Governing Demonstrations
- No group may be admitted into a private office unless invited, and then not in excess of the number designated or invited by the occupant. Passage through reception areas leading to a private office must not be obstructed.
- Corridors, stairways, doorways, and building entrances may not be blocked or obstructed in violation of the regulations of the Chicago Fire Department or of the University. Clear and unimpeded passageways must be maintained at all times.
- The Code of Student Conduct and/or other administrative rules and regulations must be observed at all times in the planning and conduct of any event. Accordingly, expression that is indecent, grossly obscene or grossly offensive on matters such as race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other legally protected bases is inconsistent with accepted norms of conduct at the University and will not be tolerated.
- The Organizer/Liaison is expected to communicate the parameters that have been set for the event by the Dean of Students and the Department of Public Safety to all participants prior to the event to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of participants and will act as the primary liaison with the Dean of Students and/other University officials during the event itself.
- Space may be occupied only when assigned through established University procedures.
- In order to use space on the campus for the purpose of peaceful demonstration, students or groups who organize a demonstration must also comply with the following:
Maintain Peace and Order
- The responsibility of maintaining peace and order rests at all times with the individual(s) or group(s) who organized the Event. This includes the responsibility to explain to other organizational members, guests, external visitors or vendors, or other demonstrators the implications for failing to comply with the University's expectations. Demonstrating guests and other external visitors or vendors are expected to follow the Code of Student Conduct. Individuals or groups who organized the Event are accountable for the conduct of their guests and other external visitors or vendors and may be subject to disciplinary action as the responsible party for violations of University policy incurred by their guests or other external visitors or vendors.
- During a demonstration, the expression of viewpoints may invite or elicit a response from others, including counter-demonstrators or passersby. In all circumstances, the right of others to personal expression must not be denied. Organizers should be aware that other demonstrations may also be approved that may include opposing views. Maintaining peace and order is especially important under these circumstances to support a rich campus environment that is accepting of divergent expression.
Presence of University Officials
When demonstrations are scheduled, organizers should expect University personnel (typically, Student Life staff and/or Saint Xavier University Public Safety) to be present for all or part of the Event. This presence is often necessary to ensure organizers' own rights are protected and the University's regular operations and activities are not interrupted. Accordingly, University representatives may film, photograph or record elements of the event. The presence of University personnel should not be viewed as an effort to deter or otherwise interfere with properly approved demonstrations.
Responsibly Conclude the Demonstration
- The length of any given demonstration may vary. Demonstrations will usually be permitted to continue until and unless University officials determine that University operations and/or the rights of others have been compromised. This includes staff who may be attempting to close facilities according to the established closing hours of buildings.
- At the conclusion of any demonstration, the organizers are expected to make a reasonable effort to return the grounds/area to the condition it was in before the Event. This includes properly disposing of all garbage. Any unanticipated and accidental property damage should be reported to University administrators immediately. Any property damage related to a demonstration (whether peaceful or disruptive) may result in the assessment of fees for cleaning, repairs and replacement of property to the organization or individuals involved or both.
