Events that may involve First Amendment rights often need careful planning and coordination with university officials to ensure they are safe and run smoothly.
A permit is generally required to hold a large, public event or assembly (25+ people) on university property, and the university maintains additional viewpoint-neutral restrictions on the time, place, and manner in which all activities occur on campus. There is no guarantee of unfettered access to property owned or controlled by UNH simply because it is a public entity. Certain spaces are reserved for service to the university’s academic mission, and the safety of campus community members, collectively and individually, must always be protected.
- The event permitting process is online for university-associated groups and offices. Users must log into Catalyst to apply for permits. Applications for non-affiliated individuals or groups may be accessed here.
There is a presumption in favor of issuing a permit for assemblies and events provided that the registrant demonstrates that it will ensure the university is compensated for all direct expenses resulting from the public assembly or event and follows all policies and guidelines. Failure to obtain and display a permit when one is required or a violation of the conditions of a permit, which may result in the cancellation of a permit, may result in UNH directing the assembly or event to end or denial of permits in the future. Anyone utilizing university spaces is expected to follow all applicable rules and regulations.
- Students and recognized student organizations may hold a small event or assembly (less than 25 persons) in a designated area of campus without advanced notice and without being required to obtain a permit. More information regarding when permits are required can be found in the Freedom of Expression and Guidelines on Peaceful Dissent policy.
Time, Place, and Manner Guidelines
UNH can enforce reasonable time, place, and manner guidelines that support the primary educational purpose of the university and place priority on preserving its limited space and resources to further the institution’s mission and related curricular and co-curricular activities.
- GUIDELINES AS TO TIME
- Restrictions regulate when speech or assembly can occur, ensuring activities do not disrupt university operations or essential services.
- GUIDELINES AS TO PLACE
- These specify where speech can take place, balancing free expression with the need to maintain university operations and safety.
- GUIDELINES AS TO MANNER
- These control how speech is expressed, focusing on specific activities analyzed on a viewpoint-neutral basis.
Distributing Information
Individuals can distribute information on-campus or in the area in different ways including tabling and leafletting. The guidelines and requirements to distribute information will depend on the affiliation of the individual with the university.
- Students can find more information regarding distributing information on the Durham campus in the Freedom of Expression and Guidelines on Peaceful Dissent policy.
- Non-affiliated third parties and agencies who wish to distribute literature and engage in sequential, incidental, brief, and transitory verbal interactions with passersby on the sidewalks and other public forum spaces on university property should first contact the UNH Police Department to discuss permitting requirements.
No person may solicit door-to-door in university housing facilities, classroom buildings, laboratories, or administrative buildings under any circumstances.
