MSUMAcademic AffairsFaculty GuideCampus Communication

Bulletin Boards, Advertising, Graffiti, and Publicity Policy
List Serves
Media, On-Campus
News and Publications
Publication Standards
Publicity, Campus
Student Email Policy

Bulletin Board, Advertising, Graffiti, and and Publicity Policy

For Residence Halls, Kise Commons, and Comstock Memorial Union

1. The student union and the housing office each have their own policies on who may use bulletin boards in their respective buildings and under what circumstances. Anyone wishing to place materials on a bulletin board in these areas should check with the union administrative office or the housing office for further information.

2. There may be times when union or housing administrators need to place notices on doors, walls, or windows, but otherwise (except for students' room doors), these spaces are to remain clear of ads, flyers, notices, and other printed materials.

For All Other Building on Campus

1. Certain bulletin boards are reserved for the use of specific departments or organizations. The presence of a sign with the name of the department or organization is the indicator that neither the general campus public nor outside groups or persons may place materials on these boards.

2. For all bulletin boards other than those reserved for specific departments or organizations, materials may be posted according to the following provisions:

1. Individual members of the campus community may place personal ads seeking roommates, offering books for sale, advertising typing service, etc., so long as the ad is generally related to the activities of a university. Such ads must include the name of the student, faculty member, or staff member placing the ad.

2. Materials other than personal ads must be connected with the activities of a recognized student organization or of a university department, office, or program.  The name of the student organization or administrative unit must be included on the materials themselves. 

3. Posted materials may not advertise profit-making goods or services, e.g.  restaurants, bars, commercial services. (Minnesota statutes prohibit commercial advertising on State property.)

4. Materials must not be larger than 11" x 17" unless approved in advance by the Office of Facilities and Administration, Owens Hall 208.

5. Thumbtacks are preferred to post materials rather then tape or staples.

6. People posting materials on MSUM bulletin boards are free to place them in a manner which covers up some previously-placed material (in fact, this is usually unavoidable).

3. Exceptions to Section 2 above include the following:

1. Materials that are clearly related to student elections (e.g. notice of election, encouragements to vote, individual campaign posters) need not have any individual or organizational sponsorship identified on them.

2. Certain ads or notices of events which seem generally connected to the purposes and activities of a university may be permitted even if they don't conform to the provisions of section 2 above (e.g. magazine subscription ads, flyers for a commercial speed reading workshop, notices of educational or cultural events at Concordia or NDSU, etc.)

3. A member of the campus community who wishes to place materials which do not conform to the provisions of section 2 above may seek approval to post the materials from the Office of Facilities and Administration, Owens Hall, 208.

4. Within buildings, materials are to be placed on bulletin boards only, not on walls, windows, or doors. Exceptions to this include materials posted for certain, restricted administrative purposes or (as in a notice that a certain class has been moved or will not meet) when common sense dictates.  

5. Within classrooms, no materials may be posted except those for administrative purposes or for things related to courses which are taught in that classroom.

Outside of Campus Buildings: No materials of any sort may be attached to the outside of buildings, doors, or windows. No materials may be attached to trees or benches or trash receptacles. Portable announcement boards on campus are prohibited. Requests for exceptions to these restrictions should be directed to the Office of Facilities and Administration, Owens Hall, 208.

List Serves

MSUM offers a variety of list serves to send electronic mail/information to members of the campus community. Detailed information of the types of list servers and user information is available online at Information Technology/List Serves.

Media, On-Campus

 [M&C 5/15/92]

News and Publications
Weld Hall
477-2110

The News and Publications Office is responsible for distributing university information to local, state and regional news media. The office reports about on-campus events, educational opportunities, faculty, staff and student accomplishments, academic programs, and other news of public interest. The News Service maintains a limited clipping service. It can assist faculty members in publicizing events and arranging for news conferences. Notice in advance is necessary for scheduling

University publications are coordinated through the News and Publications Office with other university offices and departments. The News and Publications Office approves and schedules the production of all university printed materials. Writing, editing, photographic and graphic design services are available through this office.

[M&C 5/15/92]

Publications Standards

The Identity and Publication and Graphic Standards Policy [PDF] was developed to ensure that MSUM is clearly and consistently presented to all audiences. The Marketing Office sets, reviews, and revises procedures and standards to meet institutional needs and reviews all publications for compliance with the standards and receives requests for waivers from the publications guide. Contact Marketing Office, 477-2110.

The University’s name, seal, and logo are registered marks of MSUM. This provides protection against the manufacture, display, or sale of these identifiers without the designs; therefore, they should never be redrawn, reproportioned, or otherwise modified for any University’s consent. Protectability of the University seal and logo is based on their unique special purpose.                     

[President Barden, Fall, 1996]

Publicity, Campus

This policy has been established to give MSUM students, faculty and recognized campus organizations guidelines for distribution and display of literature on campus. Freedom of speech is encouraged assuming compliance with building and University policies. The source of any publicity information and the name of the organization must be stated on all posters or other printed material. The organization and the individual students participating are held responsible to ensure that there is no justified complaint on the grounds of obscenity or libel. Commercial advertising is not permitted without prior approval by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

All campus publicity must comply with Title IX, Affirmative Action and the Alcohol Marketing policies.

Academic Buildings

1. No publicity or literature will be allowed on classroom chalkboards. Publicity or literature of recognized organizations may be placed on classroom bulletin boards.

2. Permission must be obtained from departments responsible for designated boards before recognized organizations may post publicity. Materials must be posted with substances which will allow easy removal of literature.

3. Publicity which complies with the Campus Publicity policy may be placed on undesignated bulletin boards.

Other Areas

1. Policies pertaining to distribution of literature for buildings on campus, i.e., CMU and the residence halls, must be followed (see the appropriate department for information).

2. Placement of portable announcement boards on campus is prohibited.  

3. Special regulations regarding distribution of literature that apply to candidates for Student Senate are available upon request at the Student Senate Office.  

4. To ensure appearance of campus grounds, materials may not be affixed to trees in any manner.

5. Posting materials on walls in or outside buildings is not permitted. Bulletin boards are available in buildings for this purpose.

6. Any verbal publicity should follow the guidelines of the personal solicitation policy.

7. All individuals or organizations distributing publicity will be held responsible for cleaning up all litter resulting from distribution.

8. Permission must be obtained from the Student Organization Development Center before distribution of publicity at University-wide events, registration or bill payment line is permitted.  

Procedure for Enforcement: If a violation of the policy occurs, the Coordinator of Student Organizations or his/her chosen representative shall contact the group or individual in violation and request the publicity be discontinued.              

[M&C 5/15/92]

Student Email Policy

All official University business will be conducted via "mnstate.edu" email accounts. Email communication to students will be sent to the mnstate.edu email address exclusively.

Presidential memo 3/25/08

MSUMAcademic AffairsFaculty GuideCampus Communication