This FAQ document aims to inform and provide more information to ensure that activities such as erecting structures and camping on campus comply with state-administered standards and university policy. By understanding and adhering to these rules, students, faculty, staff and visitors can help uphold the University of Utah’s commitment to free speech while maintaining a safe and healthy campus.
Structures for expressing views
University of Utah Policy 1-007 defines a structure as an object used in the process of expressing views or opinions including, but not limited to, lawn signs, tables, booths, buildings, billboards, banners and similar displays.
If a structure is used by students, staff, faculty, or members of the broader community to express views or opinions, obtaining a permit is required. The Scheduling Office assists with the permit request process for such structures. These permits enable the university community to practice free speech and access university grounds and facilities.
For university-conducted events, such as athletic events, commencement and other gatherings, different procedures apply. The University of Utah adheres to institutional policies and state requirements related to procurement, safety, risk management and other regulations for all events.
Yes, a tent would be considered a structure. If the purpose is to express views or opinions, University of Utah Policy 1-007 (Speech Policy) specifies a person or organization must obtain a permit from the Scheduling Office before erecting the structure—no matter the time of day. Although symbolic structures may be erected with a permit, pursuant to the Speech Policy, camping is addressed separately by Utah administrative code R805-3. See the Overnight Camping section below for more information.
The rules and processes for erecting structures can be found in University of Utah Policy 1-007: University Speech Policy.
People who violate the rules may be subject to the following:
Students: University discipline ranging from probation to suspension and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges.
Faculty and staff: University discipline including up to termination and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges.
Community members: Criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges.
Yes, if you get permission to erect a structure and would like to camp overnight, you must obtain a special permit to camp on campus (see next section).
Overnight camping
Overnight camping at the University of Utah is governed by the State of Utah Administrative Code. Rules in the Utah Administrative Code, which have the force of law, regulate the conduct of the public, the private sector and various agencies.
Administrative code R805-3 limits overnight camping without a permit to two occasions:
Permits are not required for:
- Waiting in line for the sale of tickets to an event that will take place on university property
- Tailgating activities on university property within areas designated by the university that occur the night before or the night of a sporting event
All other overnight camping requires special permission to be obtained ahead of time via a permit from the University of Utah Scheduling Office.
No, administrative code R805-3 dictates that permits are not required to camp on campus the night before a sporting event, provided you stay within areas designated by the university and follow other university conduct rules.
Administrative code R805-3 defines camping as sleeping between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. outdoors on campus with or without bedding, tents, or other similar equipment.
The exact code reads as follows:
“Camping overnight” means any of the following:
(a) sleeping, at any time between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8:30 a.m., outdoors, with or without bedding, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, tent, hammock, or other similar protection, equipment, or device; or
(b) establishing or maintaining outdoors, at any time between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8:30 a.m., a temporary or permanent place for sleeping or cooking by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, blanket, mattress, tent, hammock, or other sleeping equipment or by setting up any cooking equipment, with the intent to remain in that location overnight.
Students and others can contact the University Scheduling Office to obtain permission to camp on campus. Events may also accrue additional costs. And yes, permission may be withheld by the university.
None have been applied for since the policy's inception.
Any university student, staff member or faculty member who violates administrative code R805-3 may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the applicable policies and procedures of the University of Utah Regulations Library.
Any member of the public who violates administrative code R805-3 may be subject to one or more of the following sanctions:
- Issuance of a citation for criminal trespass pursuant to Utah Code Section 76-6-206
- Issuance of citation and temporary eviction from, and denial of access to, university property pursuant to applicable provisions the Utah Code Sections 76-8-701 through 76-8-718
- Eviction from, and denial of access to, university property after an informal adjudicative proceeding pursuant to Rule R765-134