In response to demonstrations that have interrupted service at the U.S. Bank branch in the Memorial Union in recent weeks, UC Davis has begun notifying the campus community of the ramifications of blocking the bank.

Approximately 2,000 customers have accounts at the campus branch under an agreement that last year provided $167,000 in funding for student programs at UC Davis.

Members of the campus’s protest Engagement Team have been providing protesters with verbal and written information about the responsibilities of all UC Davis students, faculty and staff to abide by campus conduct standards and the law.

The Engagement Team was formed after the Nov. 18 pepper spraying incident on the Quad, as a way to help ensure that conflicts on the campus are handled peacefully. The team consists of a representative from Student Affairs, a mediator from Human Resources and a negotiator from the Police Department.

The Engagement Team has provided bank occupiers with verbal and written information explaining that violations of student conduct standards may be referred to the Student Judicial Affairs office. Such cases may be resolved informally or through a formal hearing process, with potential penalties ranging from counseling to dismissal.

In addition, the Engagement Team has been providing protesters with verbal and written notification that blocking the entrance to the bank branch is a violation of Section 647C of the California Penal Code, which makes it a misdemeanor to “willfully and maliciously” obstruct the free movement of any person on a street, sidewalk or other public place.

Signs were also posted on Monday, Feb. 13, in the branch windows, explaining that blocking the bank or any other public place is a misdemeanor violation of Section 647c.

Actions for such violations are initiated by complaints filed with the Yolo County Office of the District Attorney, which determines whether to file charges. Individuals who are charged are required to appear in court and face a penalty of up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

More information about responsibilities, standards and laws related to protest on campus is available on the “Campus Demonstrations: News and Updates” page on the UC Davis News & Information site. See “Information on rights and responsibilities concerning peaceful protest at UC Davis.”

“We hope to be able to resolve this issue without conflict,” said Fred Wood, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We encourage and support expressions of free speech on this campus, and make every effort to ensure that students’ voices can be heard on a range of issues. At the same time, we have an obligation to honor our contract with U.S. Bank and a responsibility to ensure that members of the campus community who have business to conduct at the bank, or have jobs at the bank, can safely enter and exit the branch.”

U.S. Bank opened its UC Davis branch in 2010 as part of a 10-year agreement with the campus. The bank operates branches on 21 college campuses in 10 states.