MIT Logo

MIT Rules for Campus Protests and Demonstrations

Last Updated: August 30, 2024

Introduction

This document sets forth MIT’s rules for organizing and conducting vigils, protests, and similar demonstrations of any size on the MIT campus (collectively referred to below as “Demonstrations”). These “time, place, and manner” rules apply equally regardless of the viewpoint being expressed, and are intended to allow for responsible free expression, to promote the Institute’s academic and scholarly activities, to support the safety of our community, and to ensure the continuous operation of Institute events, programs, education, research, administration, and other activities (collectively, “Institute Activities”). These rules are largely rooted in existing policies and procedures – many of which are linked from this document – and are compiled here to provide clarity and transparency to the community about MIT’s expectations for conducting Demonstrations on campus.[1]

[1] Nothing in these rules should be interpreted, applied, or enforced to interfere with, restrain, or coerce MIT employees in the exercise of their rights to engage in protected, concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

Where Demonstrations Are and Are Not Allowed

Specific outdoor locations may be reserved for Demonstrations, subject to the requirements of these rules. These locations are the Stratton Student Center plaza, the Stata Amphitheater, Kresge Oval, McDermott Court, and the west side of Hockfield Court.

With proper advance registration and consultation with Institute officials, certain other common spaces on campus may be considered for Demonstrations on a case-by-case basis. Although MIT has a strong preference for outdoor locations, suitable indoor locations may also be considered. Authorized indoor Demonstrations may be subject to additional restrictions to ensure that Institute Activities are not disrupted.

Demonstrations may never be held in or adjacent to classrooms, libraries, residence halls, childcare centers, private faculty or administrative offices or office suites, labs, study rooms, or similar indoor locations devoted to teaching, research, and Institute administration, as such Demonstrations have the effect of disrupting Institute Activities.

Rules for Demonstrations

Demonstrations that occur on the MIT campus are subject to the following rules:

  1. Demonstrations may only be organized or hosted by Departments, Labs, or Centers (DLCs), recognized student organizations, and employee unions (“Institute Groups”).
  1. Non-MIT individuals, organizations, and groups cannot organize or host Demonstrations on the MIT campus. While non-MIT community members are not prohibited from participating in Demonstrations, they are expected to comply with these Rules. Institute Groups who organize Demonstrations, including their individual leaders, may be held accountable for the actions of non-MIT community members whom they invite to participate in Demonstrations.
  1. The Institute Group organizing the Demonstration must reserve space through Institute Events or the Campus Activities Complex and then register via the Event Planning tab on Atlas at least three business days in advance of the Demonstration. A confirmed space reservation is required to complete the event registration process and hold the Demonstration. MIT may in its discretion waive the three business day requirement, provided that organizers meet with Institute officials in advance, during regular business hours, to allow sufficient time to plan a safe Demonstration.   
  1. Demonstrations may not disrupt Institute Activities, nor may they block or obstruct access to offices, classrooms, hallways, doorways, sidewalks, walkways, roads, or other forms of ingress/egress into and out of MIT facilities.
  1. Participants in Demonstrations, including any counterprotesters, are required to follow all directives from Institute personnel, including staff from the Division of Student Life, the Department of Facilities, and the MIT Police. This includes complying with requests to meet with Institute officials in advance of a Demonstration, provide identification, disband a Demonstration, or disperse from a campus location. Participants may not obstruct, interfere with, intimidate, or harass Institute personnel in the performance of their normal duties and activities, including any efforts to enforce these rules. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action or MIT Police intervention.
  1. Harassment, discrimination, retaliation, unreasonable invasion of personal privacy (which may include doxing), defamation, threats,  violence, disorderly conduct, targeting of groups or individuals, or infringing the intellectual property rights of others are prohibited at MIT, including during Demonstrations. MIT encourages members of the community to be respectful of others, even those with whom they disagree, and to consider the impact of their actions on fellow community members when participating in Demonstrations.
  1. Individuals and groups participating in Demonstrations must comply with the law and all MIT policies, including policies for MIT student groups, Institute Events procedures, MIT’s use of facilities policy, MITnet Rules of Use, and MIT’s postering policy. The sponsoring Institute Group and its individual leaders will be responsible for ensuring compliance with this and all other MIT policies and will be held accountable for any violations.
  1. MIT prohibits improper use of Institute property. Encampments, tent areas, overnight camping, and other unauthorized space takeovers are therefore prohibited anywhere on campus, both indoors and outdoors. Unauthorized encampments and similar Demonstration activities that occupy MIT spaces are subject to immediate removal without notice. Associated tents, signage, and other property are subject to disposal without notice or compensation.
  1. Institute Groups conducting Demonstrations may not erect structures, walls, barriers, sculptures, displays, or other objects on MIT property without prior permission from the Event Management Team (described below). Any such structure or similar object erected without permission is subject to immediate removal and disposal by the Institute without notice or compensation. Defacing or destroying such structures or objects is not a permissible form of counterprotest and is prohibited. Graffiti and other destruction of Institute property is always prohibited at MIT, including without limitation as part of Demonstrations.
  1. Sound amplification – including through the use of speakers and bullhorns – is only permitted in reserved outdoor Demonstration locations and may not disrupt other Institute Activities. Prior approval as part of the registration and reservation process is required for the use of sound amplification at all Demonstrations.
  1. Following the Institute’s established rules for invitations to campus visitors, invited speakers are also free to express their views, even if controversial. Dissenting members of the community may not disrupt a speaker’s ability to speak or attendees’ ability to attend or hear the speaker. Individuals who interrupt or disrupt a speaker may be removed from the event.
  1. Limited spaces are designated for “tabling” to allow Institute Groups to promote activities and services. Use of those spaces must follow Institute policies and guidelines.

Failure to comply with these rules, especially repeat violations, may result in referral to the Committee on Discipline or MIT Human Resources for disciplinary action.

Event Management Team

MIT has established a dedicated Event Management Team to assist in preparing for Demonstrations or other events that may lead to disruption on campus. As part of the registration and reservation process described above, Institute Groups who organize Demonstrations are urged, and in some cases may be required, to meet in advance with members of the Event Management Team, who can offer support and resources.