Regulations & Policies

Facilities and Land

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

The University of North Florida is committed to providing an orderly and safe environment for its faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The purpose of this Regulation is to designate the University of North Florida's Police Department to issue and enforce Trespass Warnings on University of North Florida properties, to provide a clear process for the issuance and appeal of trespassing warnings, and to clarify access to University Property.

II. STATEMENT OF REGULATION

A. Definitions

1. Authorized Agents. Individuals who are faculty, staff, or other employees of the University, as well as individuals who are in or on University Facilities to conduct Authorized University Business, such as contractors.
2. Authorized University Business. Activity which furthers the mission and purpose of the University and which has been approved by the appropriate University officials.
3. Common Areas. University areas open to Visitors during business or operating hours, including, but not limited to, portions of the library, food/vending areas, and bookstore/retail areas.
4. Trespass Warning. A warning or notice that a person is not authorized to be on University property, or some portion thereof, and may be subject to arrest, criminal sanctions and civil penalties without further warning if they refuse to leave or returns while the warning is in effect.
5. University Facilities. All campuses and centers operated by the university, whether on or off of the main campus, including all buildings and grounds of such campuses and centers; all locations, buildings, or grounds utilized by the university for Authorized University Business; and all University Housing Facilities.
6. University Housing Facilities. All dormitories and student housing owned or operated by the University of North Florida, including their parking lots and connected recreational facilities.
7. University Students. Those persons who are (a) currently enrolled at the University; (b) who have been admitted and who are registered for upcoming classes; (c) who have completed at least one credit at the University during the current academic year; or (d) who maintains student status based on the Continuous Enrollment Policy. UNF defines continuous enrollment as being enrolled in classes at UNF without a break of three or more consecutive semesters.
8. Visitors. Individuals who are not University Students or Authorized Agents. This category includes, but is not limited to, visitors (including alumni), invited guests, students of other institutions, employees of other entities, and persons who have applied but have not been admitted to the University.

B. Authorized Access to University Facilities

1. Visitors may use the Common Areas of the University during normal business hours and may attend exhibits, performances, and other activities on University property when such attendance is permitted by the sponsoring organization or open to the public. Visitors are not permitted in non-Common Areas of the University, including offices and administrative areas, unless expressly invited by an authorized person.
2. University Students may access all Common Areas of the University and other University property when it is open and available to students for Authorized University Business.
3. In instructional spaces, only University Students registered for a specific class may attend that class unless express permission of the instructor is granted for one or more additional attendees. University administration may also attend classes as described in the UNF-UFF Collective Bargaining Agreement.
4. Authorized Agents may access all Common Areas of the University and other campus areas when it is open and available to Authorized Agents, so long as they are acting in the course and scope of their Authorized University Business.
5. Athletic, intra-mural and recreational facilities are for the use of University Students, Authorized Agents, and their authorized invited guests. Identification may be requested for the use of these facilities. A facility may restrict authorization for its use; for example, a facility may only permit members of a recognized UNF athletic team to use that facility or may designate certain days and hours where usage is limited.
6. No person is permitted in University Housing Facilities except Authorized Agents in the course and scope of their employment, resident University Students, and resident University Students' guests according to University Housing visitation and guest policies. Identification may be requested for the use of these facilities.

C. Grounds for Issuance of a Trespass Warning

The President or their designee may instruct the University Police Department to direct an individual or group to leave University Facilities and/or issue a Trespass Warning, and the University Police Department also may do so on its own accord. The grounds for such action arise when an individual or group.

1. is violating or has violated the law;
2. is violating or has violated an University regulation or policy;
3. is prowling or loitering;
4. is not using University Facilities in an appropriate manner;
5. is obstructing traffic or impeding entry or exit;
6. is damaging property;
7. is creating hazardous or unsafe conditions;
8. is violating the University's Disruptive Behavior Regulation, 1.0030R;
9. is making threats or violence or damage toward any person or University property whether implied or express;
10. is creating an atmosphere not conducive to the use of University Facilities by others; or
11. may adversely affect the health, safety, security, or welfare of the University community by continued presence

D. Time Limit and Extent of Trespass Warning

Trespass Warnings have no expiration unless otherwise stated in writing by the University. A Trespass Warning prohibits access to all University Facilities unless a lesser geographic area is stated in writing by the University. The University may review outstanding Trespass Warnings from time to time to determine whether they should remain in place or be repealed.

E. Appeals

1. An individual wishing to appeal the Trespass Warning must file a written appeal with the University Police Department within 14 fourteen business days of the date of issuance of the Trespass Warning. The written appeal should include the following:
   1. the name of the person appealing;
   2. the reason for person's presence on campus;
   3. the reason for the appeal; and
   4. the name of the issuing employee, if known.
2. The appeal will be reviewed by the Chief of Police or designee. The decision of the Chief of Police or designee will be provided to the person appealing within 14 fourteen business days after the submission of the written appeal.
3. Individuals not satisfied with the result of the appeal to the Chief of Police or designee may proceed to the next level by filing a written appeal to the Vice President of Administration and Finance or their designee within fourteen business days of being informed of the decision of the Chief of Police. The person appealing should submit a detailed written statement of the basis for the appeal explaining why they disagree with the decision of the Chief of Police and provide any relevant documents, photos, witness statements, data or other items to be considered.
4. After receiving the written appeal, the Vice President or designee may:
   1. request additional information or documentation from any involved party for further consideration;
   2. schedule a meeting with the parties involved; or
   3. uphold, reverse, or modify the notice or Trespass Warning based on the information received.
5. The Trespass Warning shall only be invalidated or modified by the reviewing official if, in their sole discretion, the requesting individual has shown, by clear and convincing evidence, that the underlying reason for the Trespass Warning did not occur or does not warrant the Trespass Warning as it was issued.
6. The Vice President or their designee will notify the person appealing the decision of the outcome within 14 fourteen business days. The decision of the Vice President or designee is the final decision of the University and may not be appealed.

F. Revocation Process

A request for reconsideration may be made in writing no more than once every twelve months from the first issuance. Under extenuating circumstances, a request for reconsideration may be made sooner than 12 months. If the request to reconsider is not granted the Trespass Warning will resume a 12-month cycle. Reconsideration requests must be provided to the Chief of Police or designee. Reconsideration shall only be granted by the reviewing official if, in their sole discretion, the requesting individual has shown, by clear and convincing evidence, that the underlying reason for the Trespass Warning is no longer a concern and no other reasons exist to keep the Trespass Warning in force. The passage of time, in and of itself, shall not serve as a basis for revoking the Trespass Warning.

Authority: Florida Statutes Ch. 810

Approved by BOT 10/14/21.

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