This procedure should be followed by SCSU community members engaging in these traditions while respecting others. There are many types or forms of ceremony, some are individual, others are part of engagement with Indigenous pedagogies in a classroom; or with the purpose of engaging a larger community.
Locations and Notifications
Notification/space approval needs to be completed and submitted to the Safety Administrator no less than six (6) business days prior to the requested event – safetyadmin@stcloudstate.edu. The Safety Administrator may deny any request due to health or safety concerns, or suggest alternatives.
Organizers of spiritual or cultural ceremonies held indoors shall be expected to work with the Safety Administrator, or designee, to ensure that fire alarms or sprinkler systems do not inadvertently activate. The university will enforce expectations and flexibility in usage, locations, and notifications to promote an inclusive, open, and respectful campus climate for SCSU community members and guests.
Responsibility of the Safety Administrator:
- Evaluate the fire and ventilation systems in the requested space and determine whether to approve the space.
- Work with the requester on how to post notice of the planned event or approved use, and assure posting occurs.
- Respond to concerns expressed by other community members around health and safety and attempt to resolve them.
- Inform Public Safety, Facilities and Grounds, Dean of Students, Equity and Inclusion, Building Managers and other relevant staff.
Outdoor Spaces
Smudging/pipe ceremonies are permitted in all Public Expression Areas on campus. Events hosted, in these areas or others, on the campus grounds must be registered and approved through the Safety Administrator, including notice that the event may include the use of tobacco, sage, sweet grass, cedar or incense.
- Atwood Mall West green space where the Atwood Memorial Center sign is posted
- The mall area in front on the west side of Stewart Hall
- The mall on the west side of the Administrative Services Building
- Plaza on the south side of the National Hockey Center
- Southwest plaza side of the Husky Stadium
Annually Approved Individual Office and Work Spaces
Members of the University community may conduct smudging in an individual office or workspace without specific notice if annual approval has been given:
- Annual approval from the Safety Administrator, including signage, is done by submitting a smudging notification to the Safety Admin at safetyadmin@stcloudstate.edu, with a minimum of six (6) business days' notice.
- Annual approval is granted by the Safety Administrator for the term of one year from date of approval notification, or until location conditions change, in which case another request for approval will need to be submitted.
- Annual approval does not automatically renew.
- Once Office or Workspace pre-approval has been granted by the Safety Administrator, signage identifying the area as “Smudging Approved Space” will be posted.
Preapproved Indoor Locations for Events:
In locations such as classrooms and meeting rooms, a University member or other cultural/religious groups who plan to conduct smudging or pipe ceremony in a classroom or meeting room shall:
- Contact the Safety Administrator, to seek approval for the space reserved.
- Inform participants/meeting attendees of the intention to use tobacco, sage, sweet grass, cedar, and or incense, in the space.
- Post notices on the closed door(s).
Use of Smudging or pipe ceremony in pedagogy:
If the smudging or pipe ceremony is part of an official course presentation:
- The date of the ceremony must be indicated in the syllabus, or at least two weeks prior to the event.
- Students with physical sensitivities to smoke or scent must be allowed to make alternate arrangements with the instructor for course participation.
- Post notices on the closed door(s).
Residential Life
- Smudging is not approved for nor should it be performed in dorm rooms.
- Smudging/pipe ceremonies in all resident halls are to be held in designated areas only. Please see your Resident Hall Director for reservation and access to the designated area in each hall.
Expectations for use of campus space for smudging and pipe ceremonies:
- Prior to use, university member will ensure these procedural steps have been followed.
- Faculty, staff, or students whose health may be negatively impacted by smoke or odor, who become aware of an event or space approval should contact the Safety Administrator.