Policy VII.7001.B, Publications, Academic Calendar, Distribution of Literature, and Advertising

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Purpose

San Jacinto College recognizes that its students and employees have a First Amendment right to freedom of expression. This policy is designed to promote the orderly distribution of materials, to ensure efficient use of college resources, and to minimize campus disruption.

Policy

Editorial Policy -- Publications and Materials Sponsored by San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College may sponsor literary, curriculum-based publications written and edited by students, faculty, or staff. These publications sponsored or financed in part or in whole by San Jacinto College shall contain the following statement, printed in at least 10-point type: "This publication is written and edited by students and/or employees of San Jacinto College. The opinions and views contained in the publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Trustees or administration of San Jacinto College."

Publications sponsored or financed in part or in whole by San Jacinto College shall not contain obscene or libelous statements or statements that threaten to incite an immediate breach of the peace.

San Jacinto College and the faculty sponsor retain sole authority over the operation of literary, curriculum-based publications to ensure that the legitimate educational goals of the publication are being served. Final editorial decisions remain with San Jacinto College and the faculty sponsor.

Publication of the Academic Calendar

The academic calendars are approved by the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees and published on the San Jacinto College website.  San Jacinto College publishes the current and future academic calendars, including any associated revisions to the calendars, on the College’s website. 

Dissemination of Literature

Public dissemination of publications and printed matter in campus buildings and on San Jacinto College property is supported by the College but may be restricted to prevent substantial interference with normal school operations where there is evidence that reasonably supports a forecast that disruption likely will result from the distribution. San Jacinto College may prohibit the distribution of literature that contains libelous or obscene statements or that threatens to incite an immediate breach of the peace.

San Jacinto College discourages the publication or distribution of printed or oral statements that denigrate any individual or group based upon their race, national origin, sex, religion, color, age, disability, or sexual orientation. San Jacinto College reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action against employees or students whose activities are sufficiently severe or pervasive and have the effect of creating a hostile and offensive environment.  For more information regarding the guidelines related to the dissemination of printed materials during an expressive activity on College property, please visit the Student Engagement and Activities office.

Bulletin Boards

The College supports the use of bulletin boards for commercial and noncommercial speech by students, employees, and individuals not affiliated with the College. The student handbook contains the guidelines and restrictions regarding postings on campus bulletin boards. More information regarding posting guidelines on College property can be found on the College website or in the student handbook.

Advertising Policy

Dissemination

Printed matter containing any commercial advertising or solicitations shall not be distributed, except that newspapers containing advertisements may be distributed consistent with this policy. Newspapers shall be distributed from fixed dispensers or booths pursuant to reasonable time, place, and manner regulations established by the administration.

Registered student organizations that desire to solicit funds or sell items for a noncommercial purpose must obtain approval in advance from the Student Engagement and Activities office on the respective campus. For more information regarding these requests, see the associated Procedure on Publications, Academic Calendar, and Distribution of Literature.

Editorial Policy

No advertisement in a San Jacinto College District sponsored publication may:

• Promote an unlawful activity or contain misleading or libelous statements;
• Promote academic dishonesty;
• Violate or promote the violation of postal regulations or federal, state, or local laws;
• Denigrate or discriminate against any individual or group based on race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information, marital status or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws;
• Contain libelous statement; or obscene images or statements;
• Promote an activity or event if the San Jacinto College District reasonably can forecast that its publication will create a substantial disruption to the educational process.

San Jacinto College reserves the right to exclude from publication any advertisements that fail to comply with the standards established by this policy.

Photography Policy

No publication sponsored by San Jacinto College shall contain obscene or libelous or discriminatory photographs, cartoons, graphic images, or drawings.

The Authority, Applicability, Sanctions, Exclusions, and Interpretation do not differ from Policy II.2000.A, Policy and Procedures Development, Review, Revision, and Rescission.

Associated Procedures

Procedure VII.7001.B.a, Publications, Academic Calendar, Distribution of Literature, and Advertising