Lincoln University Curators on Thursday adopted several new policies and modified some existing ones.
With six of the eight members present, the board unanimously approved a new "Policy on Campus Protests and Demonstrations."
Willie Jude, who serves both as LU's special assistant to the President for Fundraising, and the LU Foundation's executive director, told curators the policy was developed after officials discovered Lincoln had no written policies, as they were considering the impact of last fall's demonstration by members of the Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church and other reactions to last summer's killing of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson.
It was written after LU officials contacted officials at other schools: the University of Chicago, Duke University and the City University of New York.
President Kevin Rome told the News Tribune: "Our greatest concern is the safety and security of our campus and its students.
"We are advocates for open expression and open speech - and we will support that - but we also have a responsibility to take care of the safety of our students and our campus."
The policy says LU "does reserve its right to place reasonable restrictions on the location and manner of the activity."
It states "organizations and individuals affiliated with Lincoln University" may use the outdoor amphitheater just east of the Scruggs University Center student union building, while "external organizations and individuals" may use the sidewalk at the intersection of Chestnut and East Dunklin streets, just west of the Page Library.
Both kinds of groups are required to contact school officials "a minimum of 48 hours prior to the planned activity to ensure space availability."
Curator Herbert Hardwick noted student protesters "are not typically organized," and asked how LU would respond to a protest that didn't follow the new policy.
Rome told the board: "Our police would go in and ask them to not do that and, at some point, if they refused, we would take whatever course of action was necessary - depending on the situation.
"And that happens on campuses all over the country - you will try to work with them and tolerate it as much as you can, as long as it's not disruptive."
Jefferson City Police could be called to assist, when necessary, Rome said.
Curators also adopted a new "Media Presence on Campus" policy, asking members of the media to report to the LU Police Department when coming on campus, with the police then contacting the University Relations office "to provide a staff representative to assist with their visit."
Jude explained: "As we're looking at brand management, and protecting the brand and making sure our message is consistent, we want to make sure that the media understands - and our campus understands - that there is a process and protocol."
The policy begins with a statement that LU "appreciates and understands the importance of media in our society," and acknowledges "federal and state laws protecting the right to information."
In developing the policy, Jude told curators, LU officials "contacted the University of Missouri, Duke University and, also, Columbia University" in New York City to see what policies they had.
University Relations Director Misty Young said Mid-Missouri media were not consulted.
The policy says: "Even those media not requiring interviews, such as the case for gathering B-roll (for television) or stock shots (for newspapers), should still report to the police department."
Noting Lincoln's main mission is providing "excellent educational opportunities" and "any intrusion on or interruption of" the mission is prohibited, the policy adopted Thursday also requires advance notice for media "access to the interior of campus buildings."
Curator Marvin Teer, a former St. Louis municipal judge, told colleagues: "I like the idea that campus police is aware of all foreign subjects on campus.
"You're not really coming at the invitation of the university. It's on your own impetus - and I'd like them (LU Police) to be aware whenever there are non-personnel on campus, for whatever reason."
Curators also approved a new policy giving all students two semesters to get back in good standing, which is a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. The current policy gave transfer students one semester to reach that goal, while others had two semesters to get into good standing, Chief of Staff Jerome Offord explained.
Starting this summer, Lincoln will charge $35 per day per person using residence halls for summer conferences. Since 2002, LU has charged $20 per day without linens and $25 per day with linens.
The policy won't affect groups that already have reserved rooms or already are negotiating for this summer, Offord said.
The board authorized a $613,100 contract with Dan Bax Construction Co., Jefferson City, to build a 4,000 square foot metal building at the Busby Farm, 5124 Goller Road, to house sheep and goats. The contract also includes metal liner panels to keep birds from nesting near the roof, air conditioning for the building and construction of a nearby storm shelter.