Freedom of Expression

Limited Public Forum Locations

Only students enrolled at, and employees of, the Alamo Colleges have the right to peacefully assemble in all common outdoor areas of Alamo Colleges campuses and centers for expressive activity.

Traditional Public Forum Locations

These are designated areas on campus where all people (including individuals not attending, employed by, or invited by the Alamo Colleges) may engage in expressive activity.

Individuals not attending or employed by the Alamo Colleges may only assemble peacefully in areas designated as traditional public forums.

Those areas designated as Traditional Public Forums are:

• Northeast Lakeview College – Kruse Circle
• Northwest Vista College – between the Cypress Campus Center, Live Oak Hall and the Lake
• Palo Alto College – south of Palomino Center Annex (Bldg. 7) & west of Pedernales Hall (Bldg. 9)
• Philip's College – flagpole area at Ferguson Street Circle
• San Antonio College – between Lofton Student Center and Chemistry & Geology Building

“Expressive activities” means any speech or expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Article 1, Section 8, Texas Constitution and includes assemblies, protests, the distribution of written materials, the carrying of signs, and the circulation of petitions. Expressive activity also includes listening to or observing the expressive activities of others. Expressive activity does not include those acts that are deemed unlawful.  All expressive activity subject to reasonable restrictions of time, place, and manner to avoid substantial disruption of the functioning of the College District as outlined in law and Alamo Colleges Policy and Procedure. 

Freedom of Speech
“Freedom of speech” under the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the rights of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. U.S. Constitution, Amendment 1.

“Freedom of speech” under the Texas Constitution: “Freedom of Speech and Press; Libel. Every person shall be at liberty to speak, write or publish his opinions on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege; and no law shall ever be passed curtailing the liberty of speech or of the press. In prosecutions for the publication of papers, investigating the conduct of officers, or men in public capacity, or when the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence. And in all indictments for libels, the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under

The term does not include:

(A) commercial speech

(B) defamation

(C) unlawful harassment

(D) incitement to imminent unlawful activity

(E) obscenity; or

(F) threats to engage in unlawful activity (Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9315(a)(2)) or antisemitic speech or actions (Executive Order GA-44).

Additionally, individuals and groups may not engage in the following: unreasonably infringing on others' rights to free expression; threaten or cause injury to others; violate the law or ACD policy; enter a restricted area without authorization.

Common Outdoor Area means outdoor space that is not used for dedicated Alamo Colleges business or an event, or an educational function, on either a permanent or temporary basis. It does not include the outside surfaces of an Alamo Colleges building, surfaces associated with or connected to an Alamo Colleges building, an Alamo Colleges structure, spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor banners, spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor exhibits, or any other space within the Alamo Colleges’ limited public forum.

Yes, if their activities are lawful and do not disrupt the functions of the campus. All ACD rules regarding the time, place and manner of expressive activities—such as limits on amplified sound and prohibitions of signs on sticks and open flames—apply both to members of the Alamo Colleges community and members of the general public. Members of the general public can only engage in expressive activities in Traditional Public Forum spaces designated under Alamo Colleges procedure.

Yes. Members of the public may reserve a space in the Traditional Public Forums.

Yes. Members of the general public may reserve a space at one of the Alamo Colleges; however, this is subject to ACD Policy G.1.4 – Use of and Access to College District Facilities.

Under the law and ACD policy, buildings are not considered common outdoor areas. Further, the outside walls and surfaces of Alamo Colleges buildings or structures, walls or surfaces connected to an Alamo Colleges building, and spaces dedicated to temporary outdoor banners or exhibits are not part of the common outdoor areas and are thus not available to the general public for their use.

Anyone wishing to file a complaint can do so using the Complaint Form found under ACD Procedure F.9.1.1.B – Complaint for Interference with Expressive Activity on Campus.

• Open flames are prohibited on campus.
• Camping or erecting tents on campus is prohibited.
• Commercial solicitation is prohibited.
• The display or distribution of obscene materials as defined in § 43.21 of the Texas Penal Code is prohibited.
• Alamo Colleges Community members and the general public must not interfere with vehicular and pedestrian traffic on campus.
• The general public is not permitted to hang signs or banners, or chalk, paint or otherwise write messages, on campus buildings, landscaping, hardscape or trees.
• Alamo Colleges Community members and visitors have the responsibility to ensure expressive activity is not antisemitic, including but not limited to language that may violate ACD Policy H.3.1
• For other time, place and manner rules see ACD Policy F.9.1 and Procedure F.9.1.1

Any speech, expression or assembly conducted in a way that disrupts or interferes with university functions, authorized activities, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and other expressive activities.

If anyone believes they face violence or imminent bodily harm in any situation, the first action should always be to call the Alamo Colleges Police Department at (210) 485-0099.

Alamo Colleges recognizes that some may find constitutionally-protected speech offensive, hurtful or make them feel unsafe. If you feel this way, Alamo Colleges provides many resources to help.

Freedom of speech means that all constitutionally-protected views have a place for expression—even those others may find offensive, hurtful or wrong. Alamo Colleges community members who hear words they do not like are free to engage in a respectful dialogue in response, but they must always respect the rights of all speakers to share their views.

No, the Alamo Colleges cannot cancel an event based on the viewpoint of the speaker. However, this does not prevent the Alamo Colleges from evaluating speakers invited to ensure no actions will violate state laws.

Electioneering​ means to advocate or campaign in any way for the support or defeat of a particular candidate for political office or of a particular ballot item at issue in an election, and includes the posting, use or distribution of political signs or literature, including flyers. 

Electioneering Guidelines

All those engaging in electioneering at an Alamo Colleges District location on behalf of self, a candidate or a ballot proposition must abide by the following guidelines:

• As provided by state law, electioneering may not occur within 100 feet of the designated polling location.
• Electioneering will be permitted in specifically defined areas adjacent to the polling location, close to the 100-foot marked “no electioneering zone.”
• No person is allowed to electioneer outside of the designated areas; within the 100 feet of the “no electioneering zone,” as prescribed by state law; or inside or directly in front of the entrance to any Alamo Colleges District building entrance.
• Electioneering may only occur only during the times the polling place is open.
• Electioneering signs may be erected in the designated electioneering areas beginning 24-hours before the voting period, but must be removed within 24 hours after the voting period ends. 
• Posting or affixing signs or other electioneering materials on walls, windows, grounds, planters, doors trees, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, benches, poles, fixtures or any other equipment or surface, except where specifically authorized, is strictly prohibited.
• Campaign posters and flyers may be distributed or posted by Alamo Colleges District students, faculty or staff in accordance with the restrictions outlined above. However, no Alamo Colleges District employee or student may engage in electioneering during work hours, nor may they utilize college resources, including equipment, supplies or services, for electioneering purposes.