Campus Free Expression Policy

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) values the freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly in its college environment. In accordance with the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and ACT 666 of the 2018 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature (Louisiana Campus Free Expression Law), students, administrators, faculty members, staff members, and invited guests who wish to assemble and engage in noncommercial expressive activities on the public areas of BPCC’s campus shall be permitted to do so freely, as long as the conduct is not unlawful and does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of the campus.

BPCC will strive to ensure the fullest degree of intellectual freedom and free expression by its students, administrators, faculty members, staff members, and invited guests who are lawfully present on the campus. In addition, any persons lawfully on BPCC’s campus have the freedom to discuss any topic that presents itself, as provided under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and other applicable laws. In addition, any person lawfully present on campus may protest or demonstrate freely in public areas as long as such protests and demonstrations do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of others to engage in or listen to expressive activity by creating a substantial and material disruption to the functioning of the campus or to someone’s expressive activity. It is not the proper role of this institution to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana, and other applicable laws, including without limitation, ideas and opinions the individuals find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.

Public areas are outdoor areas of BPCC’s campus, are considered traditional public forums, and are open to expressive activities. These public areas include grassy areas, walkways, or other similar common areas but do not include areas where access is restricted including but not limited to classrooms, faculty and staff offices, administrative offices, service area offices, the Learning Commons (Tutoring Center), or any areas where students are engaging in learning activities, or faculty, staff, and administration are performing their official duties. All expressive activities, protests, or demonstrations must be held during normal working hours of the College. Such activities are not permitted when the campus is closed.

Students who feel aggrieved by a violation of this policy should contact the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Services. Faculty or staff who feel aggrieved by a violation of this policy should contact the Director of Human Resources.

This policy supersedes and nullifies any provision in the policies and procedures of the College that restrict speech on campus.