Major Events
Major Events require some planning to ensure safety and avoid disruption of other campus activities.
Criteria that trigger the Major Events Protocol:
- Expected attendance over 100 people
- Sound over 60 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.1
- High profile speaker, celebrities, or dignitaries2
- Necessitates a large venue
- Entails a march, walk, run, or race
Criteria that may trigger the Major Events Protocol:
- Occurs over multiple facilities or days
- Requires large structures or displays
- Involves alcohol
- Has a budget over $10,000
If you are a student and wish to plan an event that meets one or more of these criteria, please contact the Office of Student Engagement. If you are not a student but instead are a faculty or staff member organizing an event, including on behalf of a department or unit, please follow the steps for registration provided by the Office of Special Events & Protocol or contact the Dean’s office at your school.
Permission for Major Events will not be denied based on the viewpoint of speakers or participants. However, organizers must follow the registration rules and work with campus authorities to ensure that logistical and safety considerations are taken into account in planning the event.
In recognition of the importance of spontaneous speech and protests (for example, in response to news events), larger gatherings that trigger the Major Events Protocol solely because of expected attendance over 100 people (and not the other criteria) may be held in White Plaza pursuant to the rules governing spontaneous gatherings in White Plaza.
1 Consistent with Santa Clara County ordinance governing noise limits, between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. noise is limited to 45-55 decibels. This includes sound amplified through the use of equipment—such as speakers, sound systems, amplifiers for musical instruments, and bullhorns—as well as excessive noise from drums or yelling.
2 There are certain constraints on events involving political figures or political candidates:
- Student/student organizations are not permitted to invite and host sitting heads of state (President/Prime Minister) of a country.
- No person may engage on behalf of the university in any political campaign activity in support of or opposition to any candidate, political party, or political action committee.