In an email to the campus community last Friday, Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs Jim Hoppe announced several updates to campus policy on the use of campus spaces and freedom of expression, developed based on recommendations from the Committee on Postering, Building Use and Demonstrations.

“While there are differences between the policies and the recommendations in the report, the senior officers worked to represent the underlying principles at every turn,” Hoppe wrote. “Informed by the report’s recommendations, Bowdoin has moved forward with issuing new and revised policies on the use of campus space and related issues, effective starting today.”

The committee was formed last spring as one of several initiatives announced by President Safa Zaki in an email to the Bowdoin community on March 7, 2025. Professor of Natural Science Madeleine Msall, a member of the committee, explained that the students, faculty and staff on the committee reviewed existing policies while seeking feedback from the community.

“The committee as a whole was inspired by the values expressed by survey participants (some of whom submitted online surveys and others interviewed directly by committee members) and sought to propose policies that clarify individual and professional responsibilities without unduly impeding free expression,” Msall wrote in an email to the Orient.

Committee member Luke Purinton ’28 noted that the committee held open forums for students, faculty, staff and Brunswick residents.

“We want to be as transparent as possible,” Purinton said. “We don’t want to be restrictive in who we’re asking.”

Hoppe’s email to campus updated the Use of College Property Policy and the Postering Policy, also introducing the Freedom of Expression and On-Campus Protests and Demonstrations Policy and the Registered Faculty and Staff Groups Policy.

“An important recommendation of the committee was to develop policies that are content neutral and applicable to a variety of situations and circumstances,” Hoppe wrote. “Clear policies help our community members understand what is and is not permitted with respect to the use of Bowdoin College space and associated activities.”

The updated Use of College Property Policy notes that usage of College property must “further the intellectual mission of the College,” and that campus events and speakers must be sponsored by either a College department or office or a registered student, faculty or staff group. The policy also includes language prohibiting disruptions to “normal College operations.”

“The College reserves the right to restrict individuals from entering or remaining on College property if their presence is or would be disruptive or counter to the security and safety of others,” the policy reads.

Much like the property policy, the updated Postering Policy specifies that posters must be sponsored by a registered student or faculty and staff group, department, administrative unit or current student or employee, and must include the sponsor’s identity on the poster. Additionally, posters can be hung only in designated areas and must not monopolize space, cover other posters or damage building surfaces.

Purinton, who worked specifically on the postering policy recommendations, explained that ensuring a variety of sponsors could access designated postering areas was an important consideration.

“We don’t have unlimited wall space in high-trafficked areas,” Purinton said. “I think it’s awesome to bring attention to your cause, but [past instances of monopolizing] did not leave room for a lot of other specific organizations.”

The new Freedom of Expression and On-Campus Protests and Demonstrations Policy emphasizes the College’s commitment to freedom of expression while establishing limits on conduct that interferes with college operations or the rights of others.

“The College may establish reasonable limits on the time, place and manner of expression and may take steps to ensure that expression does not interfere with the operations of the College or the rights of others,” the policy reads. “The College will not consider the viewpoint of the expression when establishing such limits or enforcing this policy.”

The new Registered Faculty and Staff Groups Policy establishes a registration process for faculty and staff groups to identify at least two designated points of contact. Registration is necessary for groups to hang posters, use College facilities for events or meetings or use the College’s name in social media handles. Students are also prohibited from membership in faculty and staff groups.

Msall expressed that while she generally sees the committee’s recommendations reflected in the official policies, including a commitment to freedom of expression, there are some areas in which its recommendations are less accounted for. This includes the provision that event organizers and participants may be held accountable for the actions of non-College community members invited or encouraged to attend the event.

“This, I think, would give any event planner pause, as individual responsibility for the good behavior of the general public is not a standard that can be fairly or reasonably enforced,” Msall wrote.

While the policies take effect immediately, the committee also recommended that the College create a process for consistent feedback, which can be sent to workingtogether@bowdoin.edu.

“In these challenging times, it’s tempting to try to isolate our academic community from disruption, but our mission is to engage and learn,” Msall wrote. “That is never a friction-free process. I’m sure there will be vibrant discussion all around the College about the lines drawn in the new policy, which will be valuable to all of us.”