CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

USD changed the school rules on the policy and general approval process for campus assembly on Sept. 8, 2025. These changes  were sent in a statement released by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and primarily included the inability for students to hold assemblies in the Paseo de Colachis and a five-step system to requesting and approving assembly, including a ten-day waiting period.

These changes specified how members of the USD community can request and hold an assembly, which they defined as a rally or demonstration in order to exercise free speech or dissension. Changes to these rules have not been made for fifteen years.

The school policy governing assembly on campus was updated in Aug. 2025. The policy goes over the exact guidelines on how to conduct assemblies, who is responsible for them and how to invite visitors and guest speakers to on campus assemblies.

USD changed the way that requests for student assemblys are reviewed and approved. They also made available a step-by-step guide that outlines University policy for students to follow. 

Students pictured assembling in a pro-Palestine protest on campus. Photo courtesy of @pscusd/Instagram

When the original policy was written, University Operations was not a division in USD, and Student Affairs was the division reviewing all requests. USD explained what this means for reviewing requests for assembly from the USD community.

“Originally, Student Affairs was the only unit listed in the policy reviewing all requests, USD outlined. “With the creation of University Operations, requests from employees (staff and faculty) are reviewed by that unit.”

Another significant change to the policy is the dedicated locations for assemblies on campus. Now, there are two locations open to approved assembly: the Mother Teresa Plaza– in front of the Student Life Pavillion and the Garden of the Sky plaza– behind the Joan P. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. The policy also states that the ability to conduct an assembly does not include an activity that significantly impedes other events, such as lectures, ceremonies or interviews, that prevent access to other facilities or that interferes with other scheduled events at the University. 

If an assembly violates the policy, then  the participants will be told to stop the disruptive activities, and if the activity persists, the policy states that Public Safety or police department intervention may be called in. The policy also states that off-campus visitors looking to engage in assembly must be invited by the organizer and approved by the Vice President of Operations Ky Snyder.

Luke White, a USD sophomore who engaged in various  demonstrations with the non-tenure track faculty union last year,   outlined his view on these assembly guidelines.

“These updated rules seem too strict for assembly on campus,” White stated. “I feel like an assembly is meant to cause some disruption, so it actually spurs action. If  no one is bothered by a protest, then it didn’t  really do  its job.”

San Diegans demonstrate in a pro-Palestine protest in February 2025, holding a banner that reads ‘Our Liberation Is Bound Together.’ Photo courtesy of @noh.manches/Instagram

In the email notifying students of the updates, DPS included a link to the newly updated step-by-step guide to the approval process for members of the USD community looking to initiate an assembly. This five-step process consolidated the policy into a more digestible list.

The first step is to contact campus scheduling, second is to request off-campus guests or visitors, third is to choose from the designated locations and times (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.), fourth is to wait for review and approval by Campus Scheduling and the vice president of Operations and fifth  is to appeal if the request is  denied. Each  request must be sent at  least 10 business days before the event takes place.

As the modern American political climate continues to stir, and college campuses hold protests and peaceful assemblies, USD students will have to take these policies into account when they assemble.

USD students protest in front of the Immaculata church on campus. Photo courtesy of @usd_nttfaculty/Instagram