Publications, Banners and Chalking Policy

Publications, Banners, and Chalking Policy

Distribution of Temporary Information Through Publications, Banners, or Chalking

  1. GENERAL POLICY
    1. Minot State University supports freedom of speech while providing guidance on the distribution of publications, banners, or chalking. This policy aims to:
      1. ensure safety,
      2. safeguard entrances and exits to and from University facilities,
      3. provide clear and consistent directional signage,
      4. minimize disruption of the educational mission, and
      5. minimize litter and reduce clutter on University properties.
    2. Persons or groups distributing information are prohibited from:
      1. coercing others by demands, threats, or other means to accept publications;
      2. interfering with or impeding the normal flow of either vehicular or pedestrian traffic on campus; or
      3. interfering with, disrupting, or otherwise advocating disruption or violation of any other lawful activity of any other person(s).
    3. Removal
      1. Facility managers (facilities management staff, department facility representatives) may remove materials that violate law, regulation, or University policy.
  2. POSTINGS
    1. Publications may be posted on bulletin boards in Minot State University facilities expressly provided for public use. Use of departmental bulletin boards may require departmental approval. On campus grounds, distribution by posting is prohibited except at areas designated for posting. With approval of the student center director, materials may be posted on University-wide bulletin boards. Posters may be displayed on departmental bulletin boards with their permission.
    2. Publications, including posters, flyers, and signs, must be posted in a way that makes them easy to remove and does not cause damage to or deface the surfaces to which they are attached. Materials may not be posted with paste, glue, adhesive backing, or other similar means. The use of staples and tape is permissible, where usage does not cause damage.
    3. Postings will be limited to one item per event, per bulletin board; violators may lose future distribution privileges. Postings cannot interfere with another that has already been posted, unless a posting is outdated (e.g. event date has passed) or exceeds the one posting per board limit.
    4. The distributor of the publications is responsible for the removal of publications. Failure to remove outdated material, determined by the next date of publication or date of event, on a regular basis may result in billing for removal costs and/or loss of distribution privileges.
    5. Posters, flyers, and signs for outdoor posting will be no larger than 14 inches by 22 inches (or equivalent area). Materials larger than this limit must comply with the guidelines in the banners section.
  3. CHALKING
    1. General Policy on Chalking
      1. Chalking on campus is limited to members of recognized student groups and official University departments or offices.
      2. Chalking is permitted only in open areas on a horizontal surface, such as sidewalks or plazas not covered by an overhang.
      3. Chalking must be only for a campus-wide event or program, an event open to all students, or services provided by a University department.
      4. Chalking must bear the name of the sponsoring University department or registered student group.
      5. The material used to mark the walk must be water-soluble chalk (sidewalk chalk).
      6. Chalking may be in place for a maximum of 10 days.
      7. Violations of this procedure constitute grounds for removal of the material by the campus facilities management unit.
    2. Restrictions
      1. The use of markers, paints, oil-based products, or sprayable chalk is prohibited.
      2. Chalking is prohibited on all vertical surfaces, as well as on the specific surfaces listed here: buildings, walls, benches, picnic tables, signs, poles, newsstands, columns, bus stops, mailboxes, light poles, and trees.
      3. Chalking cannot interfere with another message that has already been chalked.
  4. DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICATIONS
    1. Unless otherwise restricted, publications are limited to foyer and lobby areas via bins and racks. Distributing published materials in stairways, classrooms, offices, hallways, doorways, ramps, elevators, or escalators is prohibited. Distribution-free zones are established outside Minot State University facilities to maintain facility ingress and egress. Material may not be distributed within a 20-foot radius area immediately outside facility entrances.
    2. Within Minot State University academic facilities, publications may be distributed only in lobby or foyer areas via bins and racks. Publications distribution is prohibited in nonacademic Minot State University facilities, including all Minot State University parking areas, parking ramps, and surface lots.
    3. Non-university entities and recognized student organizations wishing to distribute publications in a bin or rack must contact the Student Center Director at 701-858-3364 or leon.perzinski@MinotStateU.edu. The designated unit will initiate an agreement with a timeline governing the use of the distribution bin/rack and then assign space in the designated areas in the following priority:
      1. publications published by or for the Minot State University or its programs,
      2. publications by a recognized student organization,
      3. all other publications on a first-come, first-served basis.
  5. BANNERS
    1. Banners are defined as written or printed stationary or fixed matter that are larger than 14 inches by 22 inches (or equivalent area).
    2. Banners in Minot State University properties and facilities must promote a University event sponsored by a department or recognized student organization. Units planning to display a banner must follow this procedure:
      1. Determine sponsoring Minot State University unit and arrange funding.
      2. Include the event name, date, time, and name of the sponsoring department or recognized student group.
      3. To ensure Minot State University communications are consistent, accurate, and reflect the qualities and brand pillars of the University, all external Minot State University academic brochures, publications, advertisements, and similar items promoting specific academic programs, departments, or special events will necessitate a visual review by the marketing office prior to printing.
    3. Banners smaller than 14 inches by 22 inches should follow guidelines in the postings section.