Ahead of Election Year, MSU Adopts New Policy For Renting Facilities to Politicians, Activists

KSMU | By Jennifer Moore

Published September 20, 2019 at 8:54 AM CDT

The Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts is one of many facilities Missouri State University rents out to performers, speakers and other outside groups.

In this month's segment of our program, Engaging the Community, Missouri State University president Clif Smart talks about the university's new policy on renting its facilities to outside groups.

MSU's Board of Governors approved the new Facilities Rental Policy at its August retreat, outlining how the university would respond to requests from outside parties, including activists and politicians.

You can hear the interview by clicking the "Play" icon below.

Listen to this month's episode here.

The policy states that if an event is deemed likely to disrupt "university activities," then the university may offer alternative dates for the event. The policy also says:

"If, in its sole discretion, the university determines that the interference or disruption cannot be adequately reduced by selecting an alternate date, the university reserves the right to deny the facility rental entirely. The university will not, however, make facility rental decisions based on the identity or viewpoint of the proposed renter."