The University of Virginia (UVA) recently made headlines with significant updates to its policies governing on-campus protests, focusing on ensuring safe and respectful environments for students and staff. This move aligns with the institution's commitment to uphold First Amendment rights, allowing free expression and inquiry during the upcoming academic year.
Spokesperson Bethanie Glover emphasized the importance of clarifying the regulations to ease compliance for students and staff. Glover stated, "That commitment to protect and promote expressive activity lives alongside a responsibility to provide equal access to all members of the University community." This dual commitment seeks to create secure and welcoming grounds as students prepare to return for the fall semester.
While many policies were updated, one notable new regulation relates to the wearing of face masks on university property. Under the revised guidelines, individuals wearing masks may be required to provide photo identification or medical documentation justifying the use of masks for health reasons. This change is particularly relevant under Virginia law, which prohibits individuals aged 16 or older from using face coverings to conceal their identity.
It's worth noting the new mask policy applies primarily to the university’s academic division, with medical exceptions for clinics, including the Student Health and Wellness Center. Exceptions are also carved out for holiday costumes, theatrical productions, and cultural or religious practices.
Alongside the mask policy, four existing regulations received updates. The utilization of university facilities underwent significant clarification, especially concerning camping, which is strictly prohibited on university property. The updated policy explicitly defines camping, including any temporary accommodations involving tents or sleeping bags. Notably, the regulations restrict sleeping outside between midnight and 6 AM and prohibit projecting images onto university buildings.
With respect to the use of tents, the updated policy stipulates tents not related to university events can only remain on campus for 18 hours, requiring prior approval from the Department of Security and Safety. University officials clarified, this policy will prevent unsupervised camping and maintain campus decorum.
Further changes were made to the exterior posting and chalking policy. Starting August 26, 2024, displays made from rocks, stones, or wire flags can be placed on the Lower Lawn with prior reservation, but only one display per day is allowed and can’t exceed two feet in height. The restrictions aim to maintain the aesthetic and functionality of university grounds.
Lastly, the amplified sound policy was updated, limiting outdoor use to three hours daily, with specific sound check permissions. The restrictions are particularly strict on the timing of amplified noise; it will be allowed only during designated hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, barring disruptions to academic and patient care environments.
With these policies now set to take effect, the University of Virginia is positioning itself to support students' rights to protest and express their opinions responsibly. University officials hope these changes facilitate safer interactions on campus, fostering both free expression and the nurturing of academic life.
For questions about these new policies, students and staff are encouraged to reach out directly to Glover.
