Using Space on Our Campus
Our Commitment
Ohio State University is committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech and expression on our campuses. Intellectual freedom and civic engagement are foundational to the university’s values and enhance the university community. Ohio State supports the right of everyone to speak out about issues that are important to them and advocate for causes in a way that is lawful.
Because free speech activities may take a variety of forms, specific information about rules and how to reserve university spaces for discrete activities and events is outlined below. These standards and processes are to ensure the right of free expression while preventing disruption of the university’s mission.
Additional details are available in the University Space Standards.
Space for Available for Reservation
The university is comprised of spaces that may be reserved for holding events by registered student organizations, students, faculty, staff, and non-affiliates (defined as any person who is not a student, employee, Trustee, or emeritus of the university) for the support of the university’s mission, administrative functions or campus activities.
In these spaces, the university may require reasonable time, place and manner limitations to ensure that the usage does not disrupt the university’s teaching, research, and service missions, administrative functions and campus-life activities
How to Reserve University Space
Reservations for designated outdoor and indoor spaces are processed on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to university departments, registered student organizations and other official university functions. Reservations are non-transferable and the university reserves the right to reschedule events consistent with these standards.
Registered Student Organizations and University Departments: Registered student organizations and University Departments must submit requests through the online space request tool for Student Life spaces or other university facility-specific reservation process. For information regarding the associated booking window dates for student events, please visit the Student Life Events and Conferences webpage.
Students, Faculty, Staff and Non-affiliates: Faculty, staff and non-affiliates must submit requests for Student Life spaces or other university facility-specific reservation process through the Student Life Events and Conferences online form.
Campus Activism and Event Engagement Team
The Campus Activism and Event Engagement Team, launched in 2024, is comprised of university employees who staff demonstrations, rallies, protests, and other planned campus events. Team members engage with participants and observers to inform them about their rights and responsibilities and to address policy violations or concerns. The team also advises participants on issues related to safety during their events.
Utilizing staff as the initial responders at these events allows the university to better connect with students who choose to exercise their constitutional rights, provides an opportunity to offer education regarding university policies, and fosters a better understanding of and response to student activism.
The team works closely with the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Administration and Planning and the Office of Human Resources and other units as appropriate.
Contact
If you have specific questions regarding resources or appropriate contact points, please reach out to Events and Conferences at eventsandconferences@osu.edu.
