Policy on Tents and Encampments
Tents, encampments and structures erected or used for the purposes of establishing and maintaining occupation of campus space (whether outdoors or indoors) are prohibited.
Carnegie Mellon values and supports the right to assemble and exercise free expression; however, tents, encampments and structures used for the purposes of occupation risk compromising the regular functioning of the university relative to campus safety, security and access, as well as its primary mission of teaching, learning and research.
The university does permit the longstanding and narrowly defined practice of allowing for Carnegie Mellon students guarding The Fence to occupy one or two tents in support of overnight guarding and painting activities.
Tents and other temporary structures used for purposes other than occupation of campus space may be permitted with advance university approval, such as tents used in support of university activities (e.g. Carnival, Orientation, Commencement, athletic events, etc.).
Should tents, encampments, or structures be assembled or attempt to be assembled on campus in violation of this policy, university staff will request their timely removal. Structures that are not removed in the stated timeframe will be subject to removal by the university.
University community members who do not promptly comply with the request of a university official to remove tents, encampments, or structures in violation of this policy may be referred for university conduct review, while any non-affiliates will be escorted off campus and could be subject to criminal charges.
Questions about this policy can be referred to the Vice President for Operations or Vice President for Student Affairs.