Guest Speaker Policy

Purpose

Columbia College recognizes the value that guest speakers with demonstrated expertise in an area of interest can bring to the College community.  Accordingly, student organizations may from time-to-time desire to invite a guest speaker to the College who may contribute intellectually, culturally or otherwise to the College community.  The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines for how requests for guest speakers made by student organizations at the College are handled.

Scope

This policy applies to all student organizations, clubs and groups at the College approved and registered with the College’s Student Affairs Department that desire to invite a guest speaker to the College.   

Policy

Student organizations are registered with the College’s Student Affairs Department must first submit a written proposal for a guest speaker to the Student Affairs Department.  Individual students who desire to invite a guest speaker to the College shall seek the prior sponsorship through a registered College student organization.  Non-College affiliated individuals, organizations or groups are not permitted to host events at the College without prior approval from the Plant and Facilities Operations Department, who should be contacted for additional information. 

The written proposal for a guest speaker shall be submitted as far in advance as possible, but no less than three weeks prior to the desired event date and shall include the following:

• The name, biographical background and area of expertise of the proposed speaker on which they will be speaking
• Speaker fee and corresponding funding source, if any
• Date, time and location of the proposed event
• Anticipated number of attendees
• Facilities requirements, if any, such as public address system, seating, etc.
• Signature of the president or other authorized representative of the student organization
• Signature of the student organization’s faculty advisor
• Contract from speaker, if any

The Office of Student Affairs together with the Office of Plant and Facilities Operations shall then review each proposal.

Guest speaker proposals may be subject to reasonable parameters on time, place, and manner; may not include unlawful activity; may not threaten to endanger any member(s) of the College community; may not pose a threat to physical facilities of the College; may not disrupt or obstruct the normal operations of the College; may not include activity that violates College policy or that is contrary to the best interests of the College or its students, faculty or staff; and may not include any activity likely to lead to any of the above.  Approved events at the College do not imply acceptance or endorsement by the College of the views expressed.

When a guest speaker event is approved, the Office of Campus Safety may also be consulted to determine whether or not it is necessary to hire security or event management personnel to assist with the event.  If security or other event management personnel are deemed necessary, the student organization and/or the guest speaker may be responsible for the cost of the same. 

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs.