Chapter 10. Use of University Property, Rooms, and Spaces

Subchapter 10–100. General Provisions

Sec. 10–101. Purpose and Application

1. The University permits the orderly use of rooms and spaces on its property, as provided in this chapter, to further the educational process. The University does not endorse any statement or activity that does not represent official University action.
2. This chapter authorizes and regulates the reservation of University rooms and spaces; the identification of persons present on University property; and the use of alcoholic beverages on University property. Speech, assembly, and expression by students, faculty members, and staff members on University property are further protected and regulated in chapter 13 of the Institutional Rules.
3. No person or organization may use a University facility for any purpose other than in the course of the regular mission of the University or The University of Texas System unless authorized by the Regents’ Rules and Regulations. Any authorized use must be conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, the approved rules and regulations of the University, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Sec. 10–102. General Definitions—Categories of Speakers and Users

In this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning, the following definitions apply.

1. “Academic or administrative unit” means any office or department of the University.
2. “Faculty member and staff member” includes any person who is employed by the University.
3. “Registered faculty or staff organization” includes a faculty or staff organization under the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 40201.
4. “Registered student organization” includes a student organization registered under subchapter 6–200 of the Institutional Rules.
5. "Sponsored student organization" includes only a student organization registered under subchapter 6-200 that is officially sponsored by the University under subsection 6-101.
6. “Student” means a person who is currently enrolled at the University.
7. “University organization” includes academic and administrative units, sponsored student organizations, and registered student, faculty, and staff organizations.

Sec 10–103. Other General Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning, the following definitions apply.

1. “Day” means calendar day, except University holidays and days on which regularly scheduled classes are suspended due to emergent situations; “weekday” means Monday through Friday, except University holidays and days on which regularly scheduled classes are suspended due to emergent situations; “University holiday” means a staff holiday identified in the holiday schedule published by the Office of Human Resource Services. If a deadline in this chapter falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or University holiday, that deadline will be moved to the next weekday; Saturdays and Sundays that are contiguous with University holidays are not considered days as defined here.
2. “Dean of students” means the dean of students of the University of Texas at Austin or any delegate or representative of the dean of students.
3. "Residential conference center" means facilities that are designated by the president as allowed by the Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rule 80112. Residential conference centers include the AT&T Resident Conference Center.
4. “Room or space” includes any room or space, indoors or outdoors, owned or controlled by the University.
5. “Special use facilities” means facilities that are designated by the president as allowed by the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80106. Special use facilities include the Texas Union, the facilities controlled by Texas Performing Arts, and the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Special Events Center.
6. “University” means the University of Texas at Austin.
7. “University holiday”—see “day” above.
8. “Vice president” means the vice president for student affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
9. “Weekday”—see “day” above.

Subchapter 10–200. Reservation of a Room or Space on University Property

Sec 10–201. Permission to Use

1. University organizations may reserve the use of a room or space on University property for purposes permitted by the Regents’ Rules and Regulations. Academic and administrative units of the University will have priority in reserving the use of rooms and spaces, except that they will not have priority in the use of weekday amplified sound areas defined in section 13–802 of the Institutional Rules. Registered student organizations may not reserve the Main Mall between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays. During that time it is reserved for University-sponsored events with approval of the vice president and for unscheduled uses.
2. A University organization with a reservation has the right to the reserved room or space for the time covered by the reservation. Any University organization or faculty member, staff member, or student using or occupying the room or space without a reservation must yield control of the room or space in time to permit a University organization with a reservation to begin using the room or space promptly at the beginning of its reserved time.
3. Reservations are not required but are strongly encouraged. A University organization or faculty member, staff member, or student planning to use a room or space without a reservation may find the facility locked or in use by another University organization.

Sec. 10–202. Application

1. 1. All University organizations wishing to reserve an outdoor space will apply through a process prescribed by the dean of students.
   2. Registered student organizations wishing to reserve a general purpose classroom will apply through a process prescribed by the dean of students. Faculty and staff members, registered faculty and staff organizations, and academic and administrative units wishing to reserve a general purpose classroom will apply through a process prescribed by the registrar.
   3. Reservations for rooms and spaces controlled by academic or administrative units other than the registrar and the dean of students will be made through the unit that controls the room or space. Rooms and spaces controlled by other units include special use facilities, residential conference centers, athletic facilities, classrooms that are not general purpose classrooms, many conference rooms, reception areas, and other specialized rooms and spaces and may be subject to special rules. Academic and administrative units are encouraged to make the rules and procedures for reserving rooms and spaces, and a list of the rooms and spaces that may be reserved, readily available on a Web site or on a flyer or pamphlet available at the unit’s office.
2. The dean of students will maintain, on a Web site or on a flyer or pamphlet available at the dean of students’ office,
   1. the procedures for reserving outdoor space for University organizations and any additional rules applicable to outdoor reservations;
   2. the procedures for registered student organizations reserving general purpose classrooms and any additional rules applicable to such reservations; and,
   3. a list of general purpose classrooms.

Sec. 10–203. Consideration of Application

1. The dean of students will approve a properly completed application to reserve an outdoor space and will facilitate a properly completed application to reserve a general purpose classroom, unless the dean of students finds that
   1. the proposed use of the room or space would violate a Regents’ Rule, University regulation, or administrative rule;
   2. another event or exhibit has been scheduled for the proposed time and location, or so near that there is a practical conflict;
   3. the room or space requested is inadequate to accommodate the proposed use;
   4. the proposed use of the room or space would violate reasonable and nondiscriminatory fire, health, or safety standards;
   5. the proposed use of the room or space would constitute an immediate and actual danger to students, faculty members, or staff members or to the peace or security of the University that available law enforcement officials could not control with reasonable effort;
   6. the applicant is under a disciplinary sanction that prohibits reserving the use of a University room or space or that prohibits the proposed use of the room or space; or
   7. the applicant owes a monetary debt to the University and the debt is considered delinquent by the crediting agency.
2. If the dean of students does not approve an application under subsection 10–203(a), upon request he or she will give the applicant a written statement of the grounds for refusal as soon as possible but no later than three days from receiving such a request.

Subchapter 10–300. Regulations Applicable to University Property

Sec. 10–301. Identification

1. Any person will identify himself or herself when asked to do so by an institutional representative while on any property or in any building owned or controlled by the University or The University of Texas System. A person identifies himself or herself by
   1. giving his or her name and complete address, substantiated by a current driver’s license, voter registration card, or other official documentation; and
   2. stating truthfully whether he or she is a student or employee of the University or The University of Texas System.
2. An “institutional representative” is any regent, executive officer, administrative officer, attorney, peace officer, or security officer of the University or the University of Texas System.
3. Any person who refuses to identify himself or herself in accordance with subsection 10–301(a) may be convicted of a misdemeanor as referenced in the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 80101.
4. Any student, faculty member, or staff member who refuses to identify himself or herself in accordance with subsection 10–301(a) is subject to University disciplinary action.

Sec. 10–302. Use of Alcoholic Beverages

The use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on property and in buildings and facilities owned or controlled by the University or The University of Texas System. However, the chief administrative officer of the University or The University of Texas System may waive this prohibition with respect to any specific event sponsored by the University or The University of Texas System. Meetings or events sponsored by registered faculty, staff, or student organizations are not events sponsored by the University or The University of Texas System. State laws related to alcoholic beverages will be strictly enforced at all times on property controlled by The University of Texas System and its component institutions.

Subchapter 10–400. Enforcement and Appeals

Sec. 10–401. Response to Violations

A student who violates a prohibition in this chapter may be disciplined under the procedures in chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules. A registered student organization or a sponsored student organization that violates a prohibition in this chapter may be disciplined under chapter 6 of the Institutional Rules.

Sec. 10–402. Appeals

1. A University organization aggrieved by a decision under this chapter may appeal to the appropriate vice president by letter or by e-mail, also sending a copy to the decision maker, within fourteen days after the day the decision is announced. The appeal must contain the University organization’s name and mailing address, a concise description of the decision complained of, the University organization’s reasons for disagreeing with the decision, and the date the decision was announced.
2. When timely notice of appeal is received, the decision maker will prepare and send to the vice president a copy of the written statement of the reason given for the decision. At the discretion of the vice president, both parties may present oral arguments to an appeal of the decision under this chapter.
3. The action of the vice president will be communicated by letter or by e-mail to the University organization and the decision maker within five days after the appeal and related documents have been received.

Sec. 10–403. Further Review by Petition

The decision maker or the University organization may petition by letter or by e-mail through the appropriate vice president to the president of the University to review the decision being appealed. The president may establish an ad hoc committee to review the appeal and make recommendations regarding it. The president reviews appeals solely at his or her discretion.