STUDENT DISSENT/DISRUPTION OF COLLEGE FUNCTIONS

Ramapo College provides a number of channels through which students may register their dissent, raise issues, or question College policies or procedures. Among them are the Student Government Association, public statements at Board of Trustees meetings, meetings with individual administrators or faculty members, and through recognized or registered student organizations. Ramapo College prides itself on the degree of access to the governance process afforded to its students.

Ramapo College acknowledges the right of students to peacefully protest College policies or indicate dissent from governmental policies or private citizens’ actions through lawful speech, protests, assemblies, or the display of symbolic attire. The College, in turn, has the right to enforce reasonable regulations with respect to the time, manner, and place in which these activities may occur to ensure normal College functions and activities continue unimpeded and that the freedom of other members of the academic community are not unduly restricted.  In enforcing reasonable regulations, the College’s goal is not to restrict free speech or peaceable assembly.  Rather, it is to give the College the opportunity to provide space that accommodates the reasonable needs of both the College and those engaged in acts of speech or protest.  

At Ramapo College, lawful dissent changes to disruption when students interfere with the rights of others to teach, learn, and conduct normal business.  These disruptions may include, but are not limited to:

1. Interference with the freedom enjoyed by members of Ramapo College or its invited guests to speak or hear one another during in-class or out-of-class educational programs or activities.
2. Interference with the normal administrative, advisement, or ceremonial functions of the College (e.g., meetings, orientation, counseling, graduation, athletic contests, etc.).
3. Interference with the public service activities of the College (e.g., the speeches of invited speakers, the activities of groups renting the College’s facilities, etc.).
4. The occupation of rooms or defined areas used for teaching or administrative purposes or of space(s) which have not been reserved using the College’s normal room or space scheduling system.

Following a written warning from the Dean of Students or his/her designee, students who continue to disrupt normal College activities or functions through speech or actions, or who violate State laws concerning disruptions at educational institutions, may be subject to the disciplinary sanctions of the Code of Conduct published in this Handbook. The College also reserves the right to seek injunctive relief from municipal or State courts depending on the severity or longevity of a student disruption of normal College functions.

Applicable State Laws

1. Entry into Educational Premises to Commit Indictable Offense (2A.149A-1) — Any person who enters any building, structure, or place used for any educational purpose with intent of committing therein any indictable offense shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
2. Entry into Educational Premises to Disrupt Classes (2A.149A-2) — Any person, other than a bona fide student therein or parents or legal guardian of such student or faculty, administrator, or other school employee, while in the performance of his/her duties, who enters any building structure or place used for any educational purpose with the intent of disrupting classes or of otherwise interfering with the peace and good order of the place shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Interference with Students, Faculty, Others (2A.149A-3) — Any person who obstructs, interferes with, assaults, or threatens bodily harm to any student, faculty, administrator, school employee, parent or legal guardian of any student, or any other person lawfully seeking to enter a school building or any other building, structure, or place used for any educational purpose shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.