Approved by: The President
History: Issued              --
Revised            -- February 28, 2018
Last Reviewed -- July 1, 2022
Related Policies:
Additional References: Accommodations at University Events Policy; Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Policy; Marketing/Advertising Policy

Policy Owner:

Contact Person:

Vice President for Student Affairs, tel. (202) 319-5619

Associate Vice President for Student Engagement, tel. (202) 319-5619

 

I. Introduction

 

All materials posted or distributed on the campus of the Catholic University of America must be consistent with the University's mission, approved in advance, and otherwise conform to the standards and requirements set forth in this policy.

II. Definitions

 

A. Posting Materials ("postings" or "materials") for the purposes of this policy mean advertisements, promotions, decorations, announcements, or informational materials in any tangible form, including but not limited to posters, banners, signs, notices, flyers, leaflets, handbills, circulars, and table tents supporting activities sponsored by University organizations, departments, or schools, or sponsored by entities external to the University on University property. Posting materials supporting activities sponsored by University organizations, departments, or schools that are posted off-campus also are included in the provisions of this policy. For the purposes of this policy, posting materials do not include electronic postings, which must be approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications (communications@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-4440).

III. Requirements

A. Approval

 

Registered student organizations, and University schools, departments, or units, are eligible to post or distribute materials on campus. In certain circumstances outside organizations also may be permitted to post or distribute materials on campus. No materials may be posted or distributed on campus property without advance approval from the appropriate department or office as identified below:

  • In addition to any other approval requirements described in this section, student organization materials first must be submitted to the Office of Campus Activities (Pryzbyla Center 204, cua-activities@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-6003) for approval. If approved, such materials must bear the official Office of Campus Activities stamp before being posted or distributed. The stamp may not be copied or reproduced.
  • In addition to any other requirements in this section, materials seeking to recruit for student employees also must be approved by the Office of Career Services (McMahon Hall 102, careers@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5623), and materials seeking volunteers also must be approved by the Office of Campus Ministry (Ground Floor, Caldwell Hall, cua-campus-ministry@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5575).
  • Only University departments, approved vendors, and approved student organization materials are permitted to be posted in the residence halls, and must be posted by a member of the Residence Life staff. Solicitation is not permitted in the residence halls. Materials may be delivered to each residence hall office for posting by Office of Residence Life staff. The Office of Residence Life may be contacted at cua-residencelife@cua.edu).
  • Postings to be placed in napkin holders and table tents placed in the student restaurant or food court must be approved by Dining Services (cua-diningservices@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5295).
  • Materials to be posted or distributed in the Columbus School of Law must be approved by the Office of Student Life and Special Events (Columbus School of Law, Suite 341, tel. 202-319-6126), which has sole authority for decisions regarding postings in the Columbus School of Law.
  • Materials to be posted or distributed in any other campus location must be approved by the Office of Events and Conferences Services (Pryzbyla Center 202, cua-pryzbyla@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5291). This includes vendors and other external organizations or individuals seeking to post or distribute materials on campus. If approved, such materials must bear the official Office of Events and Conference Services stamp before being posted or distributed. The stamp may not be copied or reproduced.
  • Decorations for events occurring in the Pryzbyla University Center must be approved by the Office of Events and Conferences Services (Pryzbyla Center 202, cua-pryzbyla@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5291). Student organizations must coordinate their decorations with the Office of Campus Activities (Pryzbyla Center 204, cua-activities@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-6003) prior to gaining approval.

Any desired posting not specifically covered in this section should be directed to the Office of Events and Conferences Services (Pryzbyla Center 202, cua-pryzbyla@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5291).

B. Prohibited Postings

 

Materials advertising off-campus housing opportunities are not permitted on campus. All such materials must be referred to the off-campus housing resource center, Office of Housing Services (Pryzbyla Center 125, cua-housing@cua.edu, tel. 202-319-5615).

The University has exclusivity rights with certain suppliers that prohibit advertising on campus that is in direct competition with such suppliers. Requests to post or distribute materials that would violate such contracts will be denied.

C. Standards for Posted Materials

 

All materials to be posted or distributed on campus must be consistent with the University's mission, compliance with University policies (http://policies.cua.edu/), and appropriate to a University campus. Final determinations in this regard will be made by the individuals and offices identified in section III.A above in coordination with other University officials as appropriate.

1. Language

 

All materials written in any language other than Standard American English must contain an English translation.

2. Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

 

Events that will take place on campus must be in compliance with the University's Accommodations at University Events Policy regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities. Event organizers are responsible for placing the required accessibility statement in all materials announcing the event in according with the Accommodations at University Events Policy.

3. Identification of Sponsors

 

All materials must include the name and contact information of the person, organization, or sponsoring office responsible for posting the material, and must list all of the sponsoring entities.

4. Alcohol

 

Events sponsored by student organizations that include the availability of alcohol may be advertised only after approval has been granted by an Office of Campus Activities representative. The service of alcohol at an event may not be expressly mentioned on advertisement of said event. No off-campus alcohol event may be advertised (for example, a posting from a bar publicizing drink specials for University students).

5. Duration

 

Materials may be posted for a maximum of fourteen (14) calendar days.

D. Posting Locations and Distribution Methods

 

Materials are not to be posted in areas other than designated posting areas. A list of permissible posting locations is available at the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tt3eI4VH71Qqk2yEeq_q2zLenouFsZ--HY0ETIFsMFM/edit. Posting is not allowed on designated departmental boards, walls, doors, sidewalks, lampposts, trash receptacles, elevators, restroom stalls, sculptures, signs, traffic control/utility poles, trees, vehicles, glass, or planted garden areas. Nothing shall be posted so as to obscure previously posted, properly placed materials.

Mass Mailings: Registered student organizations may distribute information through resident student mailboxes if the material is approved and the mailing is coordinated through the Office of Campus Activities, and all pieces are folded, addressed, and bundled according to residence hall and delivered to the post office for distribution.

IV. Penalties for Non-Compliance

 

Violations of this policy will be communicated to the sponsor in writing. Decisions about specific sanctions will be made by the appropriate office or department, depending on the violation.