Advertising on Campus - Graffiti and Poster Policy of Student Government
In order to more effectively communicate when events and programs are happening on campus, the following Student Government Graffiti and Poster Policy was established (revised April 20, 2010). The following is a summary of the policy which can be found in its entirety on the Student Government Policies page.
Purpose and Scope of Policy
Carnegie Mellon University is a community where many different opportunities are available outside the classroom. As a result, groups compete for the use of effective advertising space on campus. The Student Government Graffiti and Poster Policy helps to regulate the use of advertising space on Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus.
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Noting the Use of Student Activities Fees
If one hundred (100) percent of the budget for a student organization, activity or event is financed by the Activities Fee, then all advertising and printed material associated with that organization, activity or event must include the phrase "Funded by your Student Activities Fee".
If the Activities Fee finances a portion of the budget for a student organization, activity or event, but less than one hundred (100) percent of that budget, then all advertising and printed material associated with that organization, activity or event must include either the phrase "Funded in part by your Student Activities Fee", or "Funded by your Student Activities Fee".
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Graffiti
Graffiti is not a permissible form of advertising on Carnegie Mellon University's campus. Graffiti is defined as any defacement of Carnegie Mellon University property, the defacement of posters hung on campus bulletin boards, and/or the use of drawings or messages in a public space that are libelous in nature or violate the Carnegie Mellon Code. Graffiti is distinguished from painting the fence and chalking on Carnegie Mellon University sidewalks. Permissible forms of advertising on Carnegie Mellon University's campus include chalking, painting the fence and distributing posters and banners.
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Chalking
Chalking is only permitted on sidewalks. Chalking is not permitted in areas that are not directly exposed to rainfall, including covered sidewalks and vertical portions of outdoor stairs. Chalking of this sort is a form of graffiti. The sidewalk chalk used for chalking must be water-soluble and must be removable by the natural elements. Products such as spray chalk, washable crayons, and other semi-permanent products deemed not removable by the natural elements are considered a form of graffiti.
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Painting the Fence
Painting the Fence, a long standing tradition at Carnegie Mellon University, is not considered graffiti so long as only paintbrushes are used. The use of spray paint, airbrushes, paint rollers, and similar tools to paint the Fence is a form of graffiti. While painting the Fence, all painting materials must be kept within the gravel area surrounding the Fence. Painting anything other than the Fence is a form of graffiti.
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Posters
Carnegie Mellon University recognized groups, organizations, academic and administrative departments, and students are only permitted to post active posters on the Student Government bulletin board. Posters are not permitted on doors, walls, and/or windows at Carnegie Mellon University. Locations of permitted bulletin boards can be found on the Student Government website. Posters must meet the following criteria:
- The posted items do not exceed a size of 11" x 17";
- The name and contact information of the sponsoring Carnegie Mellon University recognized group, organization, department, or member of the campus community is clearly indicated on the poster, unless that poster has been registered with the Graffiti and Poster Policy Administrator via the Student Senate Campus Life Committee and/or the Graduate Student Assembly Vice President of Campus Affairs;
- There is a maximum of one (1) active poster per event, per bulletin board location;
- New posters are not posted over other active posters;
- The posted items are removed from bulletin board locations no more than seven (7) days after they are no longer active posters.
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Banners
Student organizations are permitted to hang banners on Doherty Hall through the following procedure:
- All banners must be approved by the Office of Student Activities.
- Space for large banners that are hung over the entrance to Doherty Hall can be reserved on a first come, first serve basis, through the Office of Student Activities.
- Banners posted on the outside wall of Doherty Hall must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after the event advertised on the banner. If no event is advertised, the banner must be removed no later than thirty (30) days after its initial posting on Doherty Hall.
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Enforcement Summary
This policy should be reviewed in its entirety online here.
The Student Government Graffiti and Poster Policy Administrator will monitor Student Government bulletin boards and report any violations and/or graffiti to the appropriate parties. Groups or individuals violating this policy will be notified in writing, noting if a fine is being assessed and the process for appealing that fine.
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Advertising in the Cohon University Center
Those who want their poster to appear on the bulletin board location near the Cohon University Center Information Desk shall submit two posters per event to the Information Desk. This board is maintained by Cohon University Center administration and only posters submitted to the Desk will be displayed; all others will be removed. All other bulletin boards in the Cohon University Center are subject to the regulations set forth by the Director of the Cohon University Center.