Carnegie Mellon University
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Fence Governance Guidelines

Purpose and Scope

As detailed in the Interim Fence Policy, the tradition of the Fence is fiercely guarded as a vital forum for student self-expression and community connection. However, this cherished practice must be balanced by the realities of a low-bandwidth medium, the safety and rights of our diverse campus community, and the legal responsibilities of the university.

To ensure that this tradition endures for future generations, the freedom of expression celebrated at the Fence must be balanced by a mutual commitment by University Administration and Student Government to reasonable, viewpoint-neutral regulations, a respect for the rights of listeners, and a shared responsibility for the weight of words.

In August 2026, the Student Government Executive Council for Advocacy sent University Administration a Policy Memorandum on the Fence. Developed in partnership1 with Student Government, the purpose of these Fence Governance Guidelines is to provide a framework for decision-making related to messages painted on the Fence and to make shared governance over the Fence predictable in the event that difficult cases emerge.

Processes for Fence Intervention

When Intervention, as defined below, on the Fence is proposed or requested, University Administration and Student Government will follow the following processes, depending on the reason for the Intervention:

  1. Procedural Intervention. A Procedural Intervention is necessary when there has been a violation of the Graffiti and Poster Policy. Usually, a procedural violation is vandalism and involves someone painting or changing a message on the Fence outside of the delineated Fence-painting times between midnight and sunrise. Sometimes, vandalism is done merely through paint, but sometimes it involves damage to the structure of the Fence or to multiple paint layers. Procedural violations can also be violations of other time, place, and manner stipulations in the Graffiti and Poster When a procedural violation occurs, Student Government shall respond pursuant to the provisions of the Graffiti and Poster Policy. Student Government shall coordinate the process of correcting a procedural violation as well as determine which parties are responsible for correction and covering the costs of correction.
  2. Joint Intervention. When either University Administration or Student Government becomes aware of content on the Fence that may be prohibited under the Interim Fence Policy, the following procedure for Joint Intervention shall be followed:
    • Step 1: Initiating a Joint Intervention — Timeline and Process: Whichever party (University Administration or Student Government) first becomes aware of a message on the Fence that may necessitate an Intervention should Notify (as defined below) the other party's Designated Representative (as defined below) in an expeditious and timely manner. The receiving party shall respond to the notification as soon as is practicable (within 24 hours) with confirmation that the receiving party (a) agrees that a violation has taken place and Intervention is warranted (a "Determined Violation"); or (b) that further information and discussion is necessary to determine whether a violation has taken place (an "Undetermined Violation").
    • Step 2: Determining the Necessity of Intervention — Determined and Undetermined Violations
      • Determined Violations. In cases where there is agreement between University Administration and Student Government that a message on the Fence clearly violates the Interim Fence Policy, and the need for discussion is unnecessary, the decision shall be confirmed by emails between the parties' Designated Representatives that make note of the decision to proceed with Intervention.
      • Undetermined Violations. In cases where one party does not believe that Fence content clearly violates the Interim Fence Policy, and it is determined that a discussion between the parties is necessary, the parties shall schedule a meeting to take place as soon as is practicable. Such a meeting may take place in-person, via telephone, or via video conference. If, after discussion, University Administration and Student Government agree that the message on the Fence violates the Interim Fence Policy, this decision shall be confirmed by emails between the parties' Designated Representatives that make note of the decision to proceed with Intervention.
    • Step 3: Intervening: In any Joint Intervention, University Administration will submit the work order necessary to remove a message from the Fence; removal is coordinated and paid for by University Administration rather than Student Government.
  1. Emergency Intervention. In the event that University Administration determines that the content on Fence violates university policy or laws, creates legal liability for the university, or creates an immediate risk of physical harm, the university may unilaterally intervene with the Fence. Such Emergency Interventions are anticipated to happen only in rare and extreme cases.

Definitions

  • Interventions over the Fence usually entail removing the message painted on the Fence, though sometimes Procedural Interventions can involve restoring messages. Removing a message may entail covering up or blocking the Fence from view or painting over the Fence. Selective removal of only parts of a message that are deemed to be in violation of the Interim Policy without removing the entire original message is not permitted. Rather, the entire Fence shall be painted in a neutral color. Interventions that cover or block the Fence from view should cover or block the entire Fence.
  • Notify shall mean contacting a party via email, telephone, video conference and/or convening an in-person meeting.
  • Designated Representative shall mean for (a) University Administration: the VP for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, and the Director of Student Involvement and Traditions or their designee(s); and for (b) Student Government: the Undergraduate Student Senate President and/or their designee(s) and the Graduate Student Assembly President and/or their designee(s).

Acknowledging High Visibility Periods

University Administration and Student Government embrace the Fence Working Group's suggestion that high visibility periods such as Orientation, Family Weekend, Homecoming, Carnival, and Commencement present opportunities for messaging on the Fence to support these celebratory occasions. Student Government leadership has committed to working through their relationships with student groups and organizations to support engagement and the development of grass-roots traditions during these periods.

Fence Intervention Database

In order to maintain a transparent and accurate record of the manner and reasons for future Interventions over the Fence, the University Administration and Student Government are establishing a database of Interventions. The Fence Intervention Database (FID) will be co-owned, co-administered, and jointly maintained by Student Government and University Administration. The FID will be linked on both the Student Government Fence website as well as in any Policy or Agreement concerning the Fence.

FID Entries should include:

  1. The date that content requiring an Intervention appeared on the Fence;
  2. A description of the content that required Intervention;
  3. A summary of the course of Intervention including but not limited to: date and time of Intervention, whether Student Government and/or University Administration was involved in the decision, the names of the University Administration office(s) involved, a brief summary of rationale for decision and any dissenting perspectives, excluding information that is covered under legal privilege; and
  4. Label of Procedural, Joint or Emergency Intervention.

Communication to the Community Regarding Interventions

In all Procedural Interventions, Student Government will update the FID. In all Joint Interventions, Student Government and University Administration will update the FID with information they jointly agree on as described above (excluding information that is covered under legal privilege). In all Emergency Interventions, University Administration will update the FID and may provide additional communications to the campus community (including a summary of the FID entry information enumerated above, particularly whether Student Government was consulted) through email or other appropriate communication channels.

1 Partnership between University Administration and Student Government regarding governance over the Fence has included consultation meetings and Student Government input on the development of Policy documents, presented to University Administration in the form of Policy Memoranda.