Renton Technical College provides continued educational opportunity for its citizens. In keeping with this general purpose, the college believes that facilities should be available for a variety of uses which are of benefit to the general public if such general uses do not interfere with the educational mission of the college. However, a state agency is under no obligation to make its public facilities available to the community for private purposes.

(1) When allocating use of college facilities, the highest priority is always given to activities specifically related to the college's mission. No arrangements will be made that may interfere with or operate to the detriment of the college's own teaching, research, or public service programs. In particular, college buildings, properties, and facilities, including those assigned to student programs, are used primarily for:

(a) The regularly established teaching, research, or public service activities of the college and its departments;

(b) Training, cultural, educational, or recreational activities of the students, faculty, or staff;

(c) Short courses, conferences, seminars, or similar events, conducted either in the public service or for the advancement of specific departmental professional interests, when arranged under the sponsorship of the college or its departments;

(d) Public events of a cultural or professional nature brought to the campus at the request of college departments or committees and presented with their active sponsorship and active participation;

(e) Activities or programs sponsored by educational institutions, by state or federal agencies, by charitable agencies or civic or community organizations whose activities are of widespread public service and of a character appropriate to the college.

(2) College facilities may be used by student organizations for regular business meetings, social functions, and programs open to the public. Any recognized campus student organization may invite speakers from outside the college community. The appearance of an invited speaker on campus does not represent an endorsement by the college, its students, faculty, administration, or the board of trustees, implicitly or explicitly, of the speaker's views.

(3) Reasonable conditions may be imposed to regulate the timeliness of requests, to determine the appropriateness of space assigned and time of use, and to insure the proper maintenance of the facilities. Subject to the same limitations, college facilities shall be made available for use by individuals or groups within the college community. Arrangements by both organizations and individuals must be made through the vice president for plant operations. Allocation of space shall be made in accordance with college rules and policy and on the basis of time, space, priority of request, and the demonstrated needs of the applicant.

(4) The college may restrict an individual's or a group's use of college facilities if that person or group has, in the past, physically abused college facilities. Charges may be imposed for damage or for any costs associated with the use of facilities. The individual, group, or organization requesting space will be required to state in advance the general purpose of any meeting.

The college neither intends nor desires to compete unfairly with any local agency or private enterprise in making its facilities available to the community. Privately operated facilities exist which are well qualified to best meet many community needs. The college encourages the community to patronize local businesses or agencies. With this approach, the college will work cooperatively with local private enterprise to the mutual benefit of all concerned.

(1) College facilities may not be used for purposes of political campaigning by or for candidates who have filed for public office except for student-sponsored activities, forums, or formal political caucuses.

(2) Religious groups shall not use the college facilities as a permanent meeting place. Use may be intermittent only.

(3) The college reserves the right to prohibit the use of college facilities by groups which restrict membership or participation in a manner inconsistent with the college's commitment to nondiscrimination.

(4) No one using college facilities may post promotional signs or posters on buildings, trees, walls, or bulletin boards, or distribute samples outside the rooms or facilities to which access has been granted, except with written permission of the vice president for plant operations.

(5) These rules shall apply to recognized student groups using college facilities.

(6) Handbills, leaflets, and similar materials except those which are commercial, obscene, or unlawful may be distributed in designated areas on the campus where, and at times when, such distribution will not interfere with the orderly administration of the college affairs or the free flow of traffic. Any distribution of materials must be authorized in advance by the vice president for plant operations and shall not be construed as support or approval of the content by the college community or the board of trustees.

(7) Use of audio amplifying equipment is permitted only in locations and at times which will not interfere with the normal conduct of college affairs as determined by the vice president for plant operations.

(8) No person or group may use or enter onto college facilities having in their possession firearms or weapons, even if licensed to do so, except college personnel authorized by the president and commissioned police officers as prescribed by law.

(9) The right of peaceful dissent within the college community will be preserved. The college retains the right to take steps to insure the safety of individuals, the continuity of the educational process, and the protection of property. While peaceful dissent is acceptable, violence or disruptive behavior is not a legitimate means of dissent. Should any person, group, or organization attempt to resolve differences by means of violence, the college and its officials need not negotiate while such methods are employed.

(10) Orderly picketing and other forms of peaceful dissent are protected activities on and about the college premises. However, interference with free passage through areas where members of the college community have a right to be, interference with ingress and egress to college facilities, interruption of classes, injury to persons, or damage to property exceeds permissible limits.

(11) Where college space is used for an authorized function (such as a class or a public or private meeting under approved sponsorship, administrative functions, or service related activities), groups must obey or comply with directions of the designated administrative officer or individual in charge of the meeting.

(12) If a college facility abuts a public area or street, and if student activity, although on such public property, unreasonably interferes with ingress and egress to college buildings, the college may choose to impose its own sanctions although remedies might also be available through local law enforcement agencies.

(13) All activities and uses of college facilities shall comply with applicable laws and rules and college policies.

The board hereby delegates to the president authority to set up administrative procedures for the use of college facilities; and to establish rental schedules where appropriate.

(1) Individuals who are not students or members of the faculty or staff and who violate these rules will be advised of the specific nature of the violation, and if they persist in the violation, they will be requested by the president, or designee, to leave the college property. Such a request prohibits the entry of, and withdraws the license or privilege to enter onto or remain upon any portion of the college facilities by the person or group of persons requested to leave. Such persons shall be subject to arrest under the provisions of chapter 9A.52 RCW.

(2) Members of the college community (students, faculty, and staff) who do not comply with these regulations will be reported to the appropriate college office or agency for action in accordance with these rules.

(1) The unlawful use or possession of drugs, narcotics, or intoxicants on college property or at college functions is prohibited. Students obviously under the influence of intoxicants, unlawful drugs, or narcotics while in college facilities are subject to disciplinary action.

(2) The use of tobacco is prohibited in or on any college facility.

(3) Destruction of college or other public property is also prohibited.

Pets are not permitted in campus buildings or on the grounds except guide or service dogs for the visually or hearing impaired, or persons with specific handicapping conditions or as specifically permitted by the vice president for plant operations.

(1) Use fees reflect the college's assessment of the present market, the cost of operations, and an evaluation of the intended purpose and its relationship to the purposes of this college. The board of trustees has determined that groups or organizations affiliated with the college should be permitted access to facilities at the lowest charge on the fee schedule, which may include complimentary use. A current fee schedule is available to interested persons from the office of vice president for plant operations.

(2) The college does not wish to compete with private enterprise. Facility use for noncollege activities will not be granted at rates or upon terms less than fair rental value.

(1) At least seven working days prior to date of intended use of any college facility, or such lesser period as is approved by the vice president for plant operations, an authorized representative of the requesting organization must submit a proper and complete written application for use of college facilities, which may be obtained through the college's office of vice president for plant operations. A single application may be sufficient for a series of meetings by an organization unless those meetings vary significantly in some substantive way; if so, separate applications will be required.

(2) An authorized representative of the using organization shall sign the application, which upon approval by the vice president for plant operations shall serve as the rental agreement. By affixing a signature as representing the using organization, the signatory specifies that he or she has authority to enter into the agreement on behalf of the organization and if the organization fails to pay the amount due, the signatory becomes responsible for all charges. These charges may include interest on overdue accounts as specified on the rental form but not less than one percent per month.

(3) Large events, events requiring expenditures on the part of the college, or where significant areas are blocked out for the renter, up to fifty percent nonrefundable advance deposit may be required at the time of application.

(4) The college reserves the right to make pricing changes without prior written notice.

(5) Use of a facility is limited to the facility specified on the agreement.

(6) The priorities for facility use place primary emphasis on regular college events and activities. The president and the vice-president for plant operations each reserve the right to cancel any permit and refund any payments for use of college facilities and equipment when they deem such action advisable and in the college's best interests.

(7) In the event of a cancellation by the applicant, that organization is liable for all college costs and expenses in preparing the facility for its use.

(8) Any admission charge is to be specified by the applicant and approved by the college in advance.

(1) Signatories to the rental agreement as well as adult organization leaders are responsible for group conduct and are expected to remain with their group during activities. When the use of particular facilities makes it advisable that supervision be provided, the college reserves the right to require that a staff member monitor the activity. Such service shall be paid at the current rate, by the organization requesting use of the facility, and does not relieve the organization from safeguarding the college's property.

(2) The security staff or some other authority of the college will open and lock all rented facilities. Keys to buildings or facilities will not be issued or loaned to any using organization with the exception of keys to designated off-campus locations or by approval of the vice president for plant operations.