January 24, 2008

Campaign Visibility and Free Speech Area Rules

Introduction
The intent of the Campaign Visibility and Free Speech Area (CVFSA) is to provide campaigns and other groups and individuals with an area to express their free speech rights. It is important to remember, however, that while we want to allow this opportunity, safety and security is our number one concern. The rules outlined below are in addition to existing FAU regulations and policies and are designed to ensure the safety and security of all CVFSA and debate participants and guests, as well as the entire University community.

Location
The CVFSA will be located on the fenced soccer field located off Broward Avenue (as designated on debate/event maps).  CVFSA visitors will have a clear view of the entrance to the debate and the media. There will be no assigned areas.

The CVFSA Vicinity
In order to ensure the safety and security of the debate and related official activities, the CVFSA is the only area on the campus in the vicinity of the debate where campaign visibility, signs, distribution and protest will be permitted. Groups and individuals engaging in such activity on other areas of campus in the vicinity of the debate will be asked to relocate to the CVFSA. Groups forming on city streets or other public areas may be asked to leave if traffic is obstructed or laws are violated. This will also include any signs placed outside the CVFSA. There is a strict NO SIGNS POLICY FOR THE FAU AUDITORIUM. This includes signs and banners on buildings.

No signs may be affixed to the trees in the area, and no people will be allowed to climb into the trees near the CVFSA.

Hours
The CVFSA will open at 4:00 PM  to 11:00 PM. It will be open to foot traffic ONLY. Debate Partners representatives and law enforcement personnel will be on hand to enforce the rules

Security/Enforcement
FAU officials and law enforcement selected this site to ensure the safety and security of all CVFSA and debate participants and guests, and will be present in the area and  primarily responsible for enforcing the rules for everyone. However, Debate Partners is expecting each campaign to assist with the enforcement of these rules within their own campaign.  Law enforcement personnel will enforce these rules to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Parking
People wishing to attend the CVFSA should plan on being dropped off at Parking Lot 17 off Broward Avenue. Only limited parking may be available in front of the site (accessible from Broward Avenue).

General Rules
The only signs allowed in the CVFSA are lawn signs/placards
NO 4’x 8’ signs are allowed
Signs on sticks will be permitted, BUT sticks should no longer than three feet.
No motorized vehicles
No scissor lifts
No bands (marching or otherwise)
No megaphones
No noisemakers
No amplified noise of any kind
Balloons are permitted
Homemade signs are permitted
T-shirts and stickers are permitted
Sandwich boards are permitted
No umbrellas
No weapons
No fireworks
No animals
No grills for tailgating 
No alcohol
No lights – no electricity
No glass containers
Bottled water – no large containers

Other Notes
Anyone violating any of the above rules, or engaging in any unlawful behavior, can and will be asked to leave the CVFSA or referred to law enforcement.  Any of the above rules can be altered at any point before or during the debate due to safety or security concerns. Any changes made to these rules will be communicated to the management of each campaign and to the public and others with as much notice as possible. We will work closely with law enforcement to remove any groups or individuals who do not comply with these rules.