Office of the Provost

Faculty and Unclassified Staff Handbook
Chapter 8 -- Public Affairs

Campus Posting Policy

The intent of this policy is to provide Fort Hays State University students, faculty and staff with maximum opportunity and space to advertise approved events, products, services, and at designated locations throughout the campus on bulletin boards, outdoor kiosks, and other posting areas, within the guidelines set forth in this policy.

Advertising of events at Fort Hays State University is limited to events approved by Fort Hays State University , including but not limited to events sponsored or organized by registered student organizations, students involved in campus campaigning, and University divisions, departments, and offices that are conducting University business, in accordance with separate University policies governing the use of campus facilities.

General Guidelines for Posting

The Memorial Union provides space for both on- and off-campus groups to post flyers. Permissible posting is that which is in all respects in compliance with this policy and that which is in some way related to the Union ’s general purpose and function as a student service and support center. Any person or group seeking to utilize the Memorial Union for posting purposes should submit a request to the Memorial Union Director. Utilizing the guidelines contained in this policy, as well as other University policies regarding the use of campus facilities, the Memorial Union Director will determine the request, and if the request is denied, provide written explanation of the denial. Any person or group whose request to utilize the Memorial Union for posting purposes is denied may then submit the request along with the denial of the Union Director, to the Vice President of Student Affairs who will determine the request in accordance with the guidelines of this policy.

The Center for Student Involvement must approve all outdoor postings on campus, including postings on or in kiosks, and will do so under the terms and conditions set forth in this policy, unless the intended poster violates any provision of this policy. In the event a request for posting is denied by the Center for Student Involvement, a written explanation for the denial will be issued. Any person or group wishing to protest this decision shall submit a written request along with the denial by the Center for Student Involvement, to the Office of Student Affairs, who will issue a decision on the request.

Items to be posted on academic departmental boards require permission from the appropriate academic department. Bulletin boards in classrooms fall under the jurisdiction of academic departments, and are not intended to be available for posting by the general public. It is intended that bulletin boards in academic areas will be reserved for academically-related postings.

Signs, posters, flyers, etc., should be posted for a period not exceeding three weeks. The sponsoring organization of an event has the primary responsibility for removing promotional information within 48 hours after an event.

All posters and flyers to be displayed on Fort Hays State University ’s campus must conform to the University’s Student Code of Conduct and not contain any obscene and demeaning sexual content, and any racial, or other discriminatory reference.

Postings may not: be misleading, promote the excessive use of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs; or promote the engagement in illegal activities.

All posters must clearly indicate the full name of the registered student organization and /or department sponsoring the event, activity, etc.

The posting of paper with tape on sidewalks or using any kind of paint on sidewalks is not permitted.

No handbills exclusively used to advertise a product or service not related or beneficial to the mission of the University or its students are permitted.

Placing flyers, posters, etc. under windshield wipers of cars parked on campus is not permitted.

No posting is allowed on windows, doors, walls, floors, trees, trash cans, lamp posts, building markers, bridges, or other surfaces that are not designated for such purposes.

Specific Guidelines Related to the Form, Location, Method and Manner of Posting

Subject to the other provisions of this policy relating to posting, the following is intended to provide guidelines for the specific location and form of posting allowed.

Bulletin Boards

The use of bulletin boards within campus classrooms is restricted to instructional information, as defined by the instructors who use each room.

Bulletin boards, sign holders and table tents may be used to display information in the Memorial Union, subject to other provisions of this policy regarding posting in the Memorial Union.

Posting on campus is limited to one poster/flyer per event per bulletin board. Student candidates campaigning for an office or position on campus will be limited to one poster per candidate/ campaign per designated bulletin board.

Posters are not to exceed 11” X 17” in size on bulletin boards inside buildings and 22” X 28” in Kiosks.

Posters should be attached with tacks whenever possible. Staples and tape are not appropriate as they are difficult to remove.

Kiosks

Posters will be stamped with the earliest date that they may be placed in the kiosks and the date for removal from the kiosks.

Departments, organizations, and students responsible for the placing of posters in the kiosks are responsible for their removal.

One poster per kiosk is allowed for each organization and event.

Posting is permitted only on the kiosk corkboards, not on the Plexiglas that protects them. Posters must be attached to the corkboards using tacks. Taping or stapling posters to the boards is not permitted.

Lawn Signs

Lawn signs may be permitted for special events or occasions where appropriate, depending only upon the size of the sign and whether any physical damage to the Campus will occur as a result of use of the sign. Requests can be brought to the Office of Student Affairs. Final approval for lawn signs will be made by Office of Student Affairs in conjunction with Physical Plant, after considering the size of the sign and the method of affixing the sign to the Campus. The permissible content of the sign is governed by other portions of this policy.

Banners

Banners are allowed in some locations, but must be approved by the Office of Student Affairs. The permissible content of the Banner will be governed by other provisions of this policy. Special care must be taken not to damage or injure trees. Banners are to be no larger than 5’ X 7’.

Banners must be of material that will stand wind stress. A twin size sheet is the preferred size using twine or clothesline rope to hang the banner. Metal wire or chains are not allowed.

Registered student organizations are responsible for hanging and taking down banners. The University reserves the right to remove any form of advertising which does not comply with any provision of this policy.

Chalking

Using chalk on sidewalks to promote campus events is allowed, provided all other provisions of this policy are adhered to. Chalking must be approved by the Office of Student Affairs.

Specific areas are designated as no chalking areas. These areas include walls, trash cans, landings of buildings, steps, bricks, and all vertical surfaces. Groups will be charged for clean-up if chalking occurs in a prohibited area.

Posting in the Residence Halls

Posting in the residence halls must be approved in advance by the Director of Residential Life, who will determine the request in accordance with this policy and the provisions of any policy applicable to residence halls in general, or any specific hall in particular. In the event that the Director of Residential Life denies a request for posting in the residence halls, the Director shall issue a written explanation for the denial. In the event that the requested use of the residence halls for posting is denied, the person or group submitting the request may submit the request and the Director of Residential Life’s denial to the Vice President of Student Affairs who will determine the request in accordance with the terms of this policy. Residence halls are not intended to be available for posting by the general public.

Door-to-door solicitation of products or services in the halls is not allowed. Printed advertising material may not be affixed to or placed under students’ doors.

Student rooms are not to be used for advertising of goods or services by outside persons or entities.

Original policy adopted by President’s Cabinet (07/01/1998)
This revised policy adopted by President’s Cabinet (10/12/2005)
Revision approved by Student Affairs (3/07)

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