Approved by: The President
History: Issued              -- October 15, 2007
Revised             -- January 18, 2024
Last Reviewed -- January 18, 2024
Related Policies:
Additional References:

Policy Owner:

Contact Person:

Office of the President tel. (202) 319-5100

Chief of Staff, Office of the President tel. (202) 319-5100

I. Introduction

 

This policy addresses the display of flags on campus and the authority of the President to administer the policy.

II. Policy

 

University flagpoles, flag stands, and any other means of display in University spaces accessible to the public at large shall be used exclusively for the flags of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the Holy See, and any official University flag that includes the seal of the University. This policy does not apply to the display of other flags at University-sponsored events.      

The President of the University, or designee, in accord with U.S. and District of Columbia laws, is the only party authorized to direct that flag(s) be raised and lowered to half-staff. All requests, both internally and externally, to have the flag(s) raised and lowered shall be directed to the Office of the President.

The University shall follow the guidelines for raising, lowering, and displaying the federal and state flags that are specified in the United States and District of Columbia Codes, respectively. It is not the intent of this policy to duplicate the instructional content of those laws, but rather to provide additional specific rules regarding how the display of flags at half-staff is handled.

III. Responsibility For Flag Movement and Maintenance

 

At the direction of the President, raising, lowering, and displaying the flag(s) is the responsibility of the Office of Facilities Maintenance and Operations. This department will also ensure that flags which are ripped, torn or otherwise unfit to serve as a symbol of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Holy See, or any official University flag that includes the seal of the University are properly removed from service and appropriately retired.