Events & Demonstrations FAQ

Time, Place, and Manner policies “govern the use of university property, supporting our community in hosting events and defining when, where, and how Bruins and visitors can exercise their First Amendment rights, all in alignment with UCLA ‘s mission of teaching, research and service.” They are in place to promote safe First Amendment expression on UCLA’s campus. 

Public expression activities may take place only in Designated Areas for Public Expression without prior scheduling on a first-come basis, providing there are no scheduled organized events. Be aware that public expression activities can be dispersed at any time in the event of TPM violations, or safety violations, by participants. Public expression activities are not allowed between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. 

The University designated these areas to allow for safe public expression activities because they are amply visible, but do not disrupt the flow of traffic on campus. 

No.

TPM policies are designed to protect participants and the greater campus community during public expression activities, as they safely exercise their First Amendment rights. 

The First Amendment does not protect camping or creating encampments in public spaces, violence, vandalism, interfering with law enforcement officers, trespassing or occupying campus buildings, or blocking walkways or roads. 

Additionally, universities are bound by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to provide a safe and non-threatening learning environment to all, and that is why TPM policies are needed. 

All public expression activities must comply with the regulations set forth in UCLA Policy 850: General Use of UCLA Property. 

Individuals on UCLA property may not block entrances, interfere with the flow of traffic or interfere with the peaceful conduct of campus activities. They may not engage in abusive or threatening conduct or in any prohibited use of property or conduct on UCLA property as outlined in the policy. Participants may not damage, mark or chalk UCLA property. Tents, campsites or other similar structures are not permitted, unless specifically approved by the UCLA Events Office and in line with campus policies. 

Participants may not use amplified sound when marching outside the Designated Areas for Public Expression. 

Participants may carry posters, signs, banners, or flags by hand, but may not attach them to University property. 

It is recommended that participants at any of these events familiarize themselves with the prohibited acts outlined in this policy. Participants need to be aware that if asked, they are required to identify themselves to and comply with the instructions of designated university officials. 

Acts are prohibited under the TPM policies to keep participants and the campus community safe, and to prevent the disruption of learning, teaching, working and maintaining university operations on campus. 

Some acts are also prohibited because they are illegal.

Not necessarily.

Some violations of TPM policies are also violations of California law, but not all of them. 

Additionally, some TPM policies overlap with previously existing UC System policies. For example, engaging in abusive, threatening, harassing or intimidating conduct at an organized event or public expression event is prohibited, as defined by the UC Policy of Abusive Conduct in the Workplace, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and the UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy. 

While it may appear as if the University is not responding to TPM violations, often they are leveraging the early steps of the University’s tiered response. It is common for police to use alternate methods to resolve a situation other than arrests. Those methods may not always be as visible as an arrest, but they are still taking place. For example, certain TPM violations may be noted by UCLA Police for the university administration to address at a later time.

The University’s tiered response refers to a process of steps used to peacefully resolve TPM violations, involving both UCLA Student Affairs Monitors (SAMs) and the UCLA Police Department. 

The first step in the tiered response begins with the SAMs. Participants who are committing TPM violations will often be approached first by a SAM who will let them know they are in violation and provide them with information about their options. 

Options for students may include: stopping the prohibited action with no repercussion; continuing the prohibited action and being referred to the Office of Student Conduct for potential disciplinary action; continuing the prohibited action or escalating and facing arrest, if they are also in violation of California law. Faculty or staff members who are violating TPM policies may be referred to Campus Human Resources or the Academic Senate. 

If the participants do not comply with the SAM’s instructions to stop the prohibited act, administrators will move to the next tier, which can involve security or UCLA Police intervention. While UCLA Police may not be the first contact in some cases, police are involved in this process before they are asked to step in. 

UCLA Student Affairs Monitors (SAM) are trained Student Affairs professionals who are prepared to address TPM violations and deescalate situations on campus.

If participants at public expression activities are violating TPM policies, a SAM can first be deployed and will inform them that they are in violation. They will then collaborate with participants to resolve the violation, as long as the safety of the campus community is not at risk. SAMs do not physically intervene; they are trained to educate, inform and document what is taking place. 

This is the point during an event when SAMs or other university administrators no longer believe they have the ability to resolve a TPM issue by either resolving a violation that has occurred or deescalating a situation that is in progress. At this point, the issue is turned over to the Office of Campus and Community Safety.

No.

If participants refuse to comply with TPM policies, police may intervene to give a dispersal order, allowing the group to disperse peacefully. 

If campus safety is at risk, and/or California law is being violated, police may intervene and make a determination on potential arrests. 

UCLA Police have completed numerous training courses and exercises to enforce TPM policies. This training includes best practices for keeping events protected by the Constitution safe, including deescalating, problem solving, and ensuring the safety and freedom of everyone on campus.

A student with a TPM violation will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct by a university official. UCLA police are also university officials, with the ability to refer individuals to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action.

After a student is referred to the Office of Student Conduct, the student may face penalties up to and including dismissal from campus. This can include suspension, probation, and educational sanctions. If a faculty or staff member is violating TPM policies, they could be referred to Campus Human Resources or the Academic Senate.

A non-affiliate violating TPM policies on campus may face arrest or potential permanent exclusion from campus through the Vice Chancellor of Administration’s office. 

Disciplinary actions against individuals are not disclosed publicly, due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Yes. There are scenarios where you could face arrest for a TPM violation, if it also violated California law.

If you are able to remove yourself from the situation, do so as soon as possible. You can also approach a UCLA police officer. The police dispatch non-emergency number is (310) 825-1491, but if you feel in immediate danger, call 911.

Based on the type of charge, officers may cite and release the arrested person in the field; may transport them to UCLA PD; or may take them to county jail.