Public Address Equipment

As stated in Ordinance 39.00 (https://trustees.msu.edu/bylaws-ordinances-policies/ordinances/ordinance-39.00.html), written authorization from the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, 450 Administration Building, must be obtained before a sound truck or other vehicle equipped with amplifier or loudspeaker may be used on the Michigan State University campus. An Event Planning Form should be obtained from the Student Life Office, 101 Student Services, before contacting the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees for written authorization. The following rules govern the use of sound trucks and/or mobile sound units.

a. The sound equipment may be used on campus only between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Depending on the location of the equipment and the event, exceptions to this time limit may be recommended by the Department of Student Life.)

b. Permission must be obtained from the East Lansing authorities if the equipment is used in East Lansing proper.

Public Address Equipment
University ordinance 15.04 (https://trustees.msu.edu/bylaws-ordinances-policies/ordinances/ordinance-15.00.html) states the following:

… No person shall use public address equipment, bullhorns, or other methods of sound amplification anywhere upon the campus except through written permit by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

The following guidelines govern the implementation of this ordinance.

Guidelines for Use of Public Address Equipment
(Administrative Ruling – Applicable to University employees as well as students)

A. Students

1) Under Ordinance 15 (https://trustees.msu.edu/bylaws-ordinances-policies/ordinances/ordinance-15.00.html), the use and location of public address equipment, including bullhorns or other methods of sound amplification, at outdoor events must be approved by the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. An Event Planning Form, available in the Student Life Office, 101 Student Services Building, must be completed and signed by the Department of Student Life prior to seeking approval.

2) In general, approval for the use of public address equipment will be granted if it would not be disruptive to on-going functions of the University, such as faculty and administrative offices, libraries, classroom teaching, and other scheduled University events. Guidelines for approving requests are as follows:

a) The use of public address equipment for rallies and outdoor speakers is limited to the vicinity of The Rock. Any one event is limited to 4 hours within the following hours:

Monday-Thursday — 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday — 8:00 a.m.-midnight
Sunday — 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

The use of public address equipment for concerts in the vicinity of Beaumont Tower is not permitted.

b) The use of public address equipment for rallies, speakers, and concerts in residential areas of the campus must have the approval of the students, advisory staff, and area director within the residential location requested. Any one event is limited to 4 hours within the following hours:

Friday — 6:00 p.m.-midnight
Saturday – noon-midnight
Sunday – 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

c) The use of public address equipment for rallies, speakers, and concerts in other campus locations is permitted if the use and event does not conflict with a prior scheduled event or ongoing functions of the University. Any one event is limited to 4 hours during the following hours:

Saturday-Sunday – noon-6:00 p.m.

d) Any exceptions to the above guidelines must have the recommendation of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and be approved by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

3) For information on the use of sound trucks and other mobile units see Public Address Equipment and Ordinance 39.00. In general, their use is restricted to the period from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

4) The use of temporary or permanent public address systems within University buildings for concerts, dances, rallies, demonstrations, and student meetings must be approved by those responsible for the scheduling or management of the building.

5) Development of policies concerning the use of equipment such as stereos, radios, and musical instruments inside the residence halls is the responsibility of the residence hall government, the Residence Education and Housing Services staff, and residence hall management.

B. Non-Students

1) Faculty, staff, and others should contact the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, 450 Administration Building, concerning their request for public address equipment. A form will be available for those requesting authorization to use public address equipment.

2) In general, approval for the use of public address equipment at outdoor events will be granted if it would not be disruptive to ongoing functions of the University, such as faculty and administrative offices, research and laboratory facilities, libraries, classroom teaching, and other scheduled University events. Locations for use of equipment will be assigned or approved accordingly.

 

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