Civil Disturbance or Riot

Information on civil disturbance, demonstrations, riots or disruptions.

CIVIL DISTURBANCE OR DEMONSTRATIONS/RIOTS OR DISRUPTION

Most campus demonstrations such as marches, meetings, picketing, and rallies will be peaceful and non-obstructive. A student demonstration should not be disrupted unless one or more of the following conditions exists because of the demonstration:

  1. INTERFERENCE with normal operations of the University
  2. PREVENTION of access to office, building, or other University place
  3. THREAT of physical harm to persons or damage to University Physical Plant

If any of these conditions exist, Dean of Students and Campus Life, Associate Dean of Students, and the Chief of Police/ Director of Public Safety should be immediately notified. They will be responsible for contacting and informing the President. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, the appropriate procedures listed below should be followed:

PEACEFUL, NON-OBSTRUCTIVE DEMONSTRATION

Generally, demonstrations of this kind should not be interrupted. Demonstrations should not be obstructed or provoked and efforts should be made to conduct University business as normally as possible.

If demonstrator(s) are asked to leave, but refuse to leave by regular facility closing time:

  1. Arrangements will be made by the Chief of Police/ Director of Public Safety and/or Dean of Students and Campus Life to monitor the situation during non- business hours, or
  2. Determination will be made to treat the violation of regular closing hours as a disruptive demonstration. (See Section 2 below).

NON-VIOLENT, DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATION

In the event, that a demonstration blocks access to University Physical Plant or interferes with the operation of the University:

  • Demonstrators will be asked to terminate the disruptive activity by the Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety.
  • The Senior Incident Commander may have with them a photographer with video recording equipment to document the proceedings.
  • The Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety or designee will go to the area and ask the demonstrators to leave or to discontinue the disruptive activities.
  • If the demonstrators persist in the disruptive activity, University Police Personnel will advise them that failure to discontinue the specified action within a determined length of time may result in disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, or possible intervention. Except in extreme emergencies, the President will be consulted before such actions are taken.
  • Efforts should be made to secure positive identification (including photographs if deemed advisable) of demonstrators in violation to facilitate later testimony.
  • After consultation with the President, Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety, Provost and Senior Executive Vice President, and Dean of Students and Campus Life, the need for an injunction of civil authorities will be determined.
  • If a court injunction is obtained, the demonstrators will be so informed. Those demonstrators who refuse to comply will be warned of the intention to arrest.

VIOLENT DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATION

In the event that a violent demonstration in which injury to person(s) or property occurs or appears eminent, the President, Director of Public Safety, and Dean of Students and Campus Life will be immediately notified:

During regular office hours:

  • The Provost and Senior Executive Vice President, the Dean of Students and Campus Life, Chief of Police/ Director of Public Safety and Vice President, REDCO will be summoned to the scene, if safe, or asked to report to a designated location.
  • The Senior Incident Commander may have with them a photographer with video recording equipment to document the proceedings.
  • The Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety will determine if and when arrests are to be made.
  • NJIT Department of Public Safety will provide sufficient officers to contain the demonstration. Should an insufficient number of officers be available, the Director of Public Safety will request assistance from the local police department or nearby colleges and universities in accordance with mutual aid protocols.

After regular office hours:

NJIT Public Safety will be notified immediately of the disturbance.

  • Public Safety will investigate the disruption and report findings to the Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety and Vice President for Real Estate Development and Capital Operations.
  • The Vice President for Real Estate Development and Capital Operations will:
  1. c1. Report the circumstances to the President. Notify key administrators and if possible, the administrator for the area of the demonstration.
  2. c2. Notify the parents/guardians of any students arrested or hospitalized because of demonstration. Parents/guardians may also be notified in the event of reported injuries sustained in the demonstration.

In the event of pending or actual violent disruptive demonstrations, Public Safety and/or Police will make reasonable attempts to notify bystanders to clear the area (i.e.,voice commands, bull horn, and/or public address system). Additional communication attempts to the NJIT community may be made via the Campus-wide Notification System, email blasts or the Office of Strategic Initiatives may employ other means.

 

Updated 4.5.18