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The University of Minnesota intends its property to be used in the pursuit of its mission and for the benefit of the University community. The University also recognizes the importance of fostering diversity, serving the greater community, and acting as a marketplace for ideas. This policy serves those goals while promoting the safety of all persons on campus and preserving the physical integrity of University property. The University welcomes the use of its outdoor space consistent with this policy.

Permit Required

A permit is required to use University outdoor space for:

• An event involving 50 or more participants;
• The use of displays, structures, tents, contact tables, fires or grills, sound amplification, or food service;
• An event likely to require police, traffic management, or other personnel to appropriately manage the event;
• An event requiring University service such as rentals, sanitation, additional trash bins, etc.; or
• Overnight outdoor stays, including camping.

Assembly Without a Permit

Rallies, demonstrations, or other gatherings in the areas immediate adjacent to Morrill Hall, the McNamara Alumni Center, Coffman Memorial Union, the West Bank Plaza, or the St Paul Student Center will not require a permit, provided that, in the view of the University, the rally, demonstration, or gathering:

• Does not involve the use of displays, structures, tents, contact tables, fires or grills, or food service;
• Does not interfere with other reserved uses of the space or other authorized events or regular activities or functions on campus (including classes); and
• Does not necessitate police, traffic management, or other personnel;

Rallies, demonstrations, or other gatherings under this provision must:

• Refrain from damaging University property;
• Avoid posing a risk to health and safety; and
• Comply with noise or sound amplification policies;

Permit Process

Permits must be obtained from the appropriate University department prior to the event, following the attached procedures:

• University departments must obtain a permit following the procedures Use and Lease by University Departments.
• Registered student groups must obtain a permit following the procedure Use and Lease by University Departments.
• Outside organizations must obtain a permit following the procedure, Use and Lease by Non-University Groups, and its associated policy, Using and Leasing University Real Estate.

Housing and Residential Life, Recreational Sports, and Intercollegiate Athletics manage the outdoor space connected with their departments. Organizations or persons seeking use of outdoor space managed by those departments must contact those departments directly.

General Rules

• Grassy areas of Northrop Mall may not be reserved except for officially recognized University events.
• The University may, from time to time, at its discretion, preserve University outdoor space exclusively for students.
• The University may give preference to persons or groups who have reserved University outdoor space less often in a given academic year.
• Events may occur only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Overnight stays, including camping are permitted on campus only by registered student groups, in accordance with applicable rules.
• Permit holders must comply with departmental rules governing use of outdoor space.

Exclusions

This policy applies only to the Twin Cities campus.

To ensure the use of University property supports the University’s mission, avoids inappropriate use, clarifies relationships and liability, and protects the physical integrity of the property.

Procedures currently available at: http://www.outdoor.umn.edu/

Forms (permit requests) are located at: http://www.outdoor.umn.edu/

Subject	Contact	Phone	Fax/Email
Primary Contact	Debra Anderson	612-624-6265	ande4263@umn.edu
Real Estate Department	Real Estate Office	612-625-5345	reo@umn.edu 612-624-6345
Student Unions and Activities	Debra Anderson	612-626-6919	odsspace@umn.edu
Facilities Management	TBD	TBD

Outdoor Space

Open-air parts of the Twin Cities campus.

University Department

Any official University department or group sponsored by a University department covered by the University’s liability insurance.

Registered Student Group

Any student group registered with Student Unions and Activities.

Outside Organization

Any person or group not defined as a University Department or a Registered Student Group.

Real Estate Office

Reviews all leases and permits with outside organizations. The Real Estate Office also maintains a set of rules for using University property consistent with this policy, maintains a database of all leases and permits, and, where appropriate, collects rents.

Student Unions and Activities

Maintains a schedule of outdoor space use and reviews requests and grants permits for use of outdoor space by registered student groups. Student Unions and Activities also maintain a set of rules for using University property consistent with this policy.

University Relations

The principal point of contact for media requests to use University facilities.

There are no appendices related to this policy.

There are no frequently asked questions for this policy.

• Administrative Policy: Using and Leasing University Real Estate

Amended:

December 2008 - Tightened up language in Policy Statement - "Assembly Without a Permit". This change is for clarification only, and does not affect meaning.

Amended:

November 2008 - Specifies when permits are required to use University Outdoor Space. Provides criteria for granting approval. Outlines general use restrictions. Policy is no longer interim.

Effective:

August 2008

To obtain a copy of a historical policy, e-mail the U Policy Librarian at policy@umn.edu or call 612-624-4372.