Signs & Materials Distribution

Non-commercial printed material may be distributed on University property or at official University functions subject to the following provisions:

• On University grounds that are designated as a public area. Printed material is not forced upon others.
• Printed material shall not be placed on or in vehicles parked on University property.
• Persons distributing printed material shall be responsible to ensure the printed material does not litter the area of distribution.
• Tables and portable (i.e., hand carried) displays used to facilitate distribution fall under Tabling and must follow those guidelines. Tables or portable displays must be attended at all times by the individuals or groups sponsoring the distribution, and such individuals or groups must ensure the printed material they are distributing does not litter the area.
• Printed material may not be distributed in University buildings or parking lots.
• Distribution must not interfere with classes and other University functions, operations and events or obstruct the free flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and may not be conducted in such a manner as to impair safety, including at the top or bottom of elevators and stairs.

Posting of signs and posters are permitted following the guidelines below. Use of sandwich boards is limited and requires approval by Conference & Event Services and/or Marketing & Communications. Posting printed material on all other locations including, but not limited to, doors, building walls, restrooms, windows, glass surfaces, benches, utility poles, sculptures, garbage receptacles, railings, trees, traffic control signs, stairs, bus stop areas, and sidewalks is prohibited.  

• Exceptions are allowed in those buildings where it has been customary for faculty and staff to post materials on their own office doors or when work such as plumbing, heating/air conditioning, electrical or computer networking is underway. In such cases the posting method must not damage the door in any manner.
• The University reserves the sole right to post signage for emergency and safety purposes on otherwise prohibited surfaces and locations.

• Department bulletin boards: Department bulletin boards are reserved for the posting of materials relating to and approved by the pertinent department. Department bulletin boards are marked as such.
• Union (collective bargaining agreement) bulletin boards: Union bulletin boards are reserved for posting of official union documents and announcements as approved by the pertinent union.
• General bulletin boards: Anyone may post signs on general bulletin boards (indoor or outdoor). These bulletin boards are marked “General” and are listed here. All signs must receive approval and stamping at the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk prior to posting.
  • All requests should be submitted via the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form at least 2 business days in advance. Same day approvals may be accommodated at the GSAC Information Desk.
  • Posters may not exceed 11”x17” in size.
  • Posters must identify the responsible person, organization, or department.
  • Quantities permitted—On-campus events: 50 copies. Off-campus events/all other: 20 copies.
  • Posters may be displayed for a maximum of 14 calendar days.
  • Duplicate copies of a posting on a single bulletin board is not permitted.
  • Postings may not be placed in a way that might deface or damage University property (i.e. posted using staples, taped onto painted surfaces, painted, etc.) Only thumbtacks may be used to secure posters on bulletin boards.
  • Postings that contain defamation, obscenity, terrorist threats, false advertising, or the promotion of actual or imminent violence or harm, speech not protected by the United States Constitution and/or the California Constitution, or speech that otherwise violates the restrictions in this policy, are not permitted.
  • Removal of signs, other than by posting party or University personnel acting pursuant to their duties, is prohibited.
• Posting in student housing areas requires that flyers are reviewed and approved by the Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life (or designee), no less than 2 weeks prior to the event. If approved, they can bring a specific number of copies to the Housing Front desk, and Residence Life staff will distribute throughout the buildings.
• The University residence halls are not available for posting of materials or solicitation of goods and are not accessible to the public, please refer to the Housing & Residence Life Handbook.
• Any poster that does not comply with these rules or that otherwise violates this policy is subject to removal at any time.
• Violations of the Bulletin Board Procedures shall be reported to the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk. Organizations in violation shall be informed and their publicity materials will be removed from the campus bulletin boards. Any additional violations shall be sent to the Dean of Students or designee for further action. Publicity privileges may be suspended or revoked by the University at any time for violations.

• Banners are a special category of postings because of their size and will only be permitted on the exterior railings of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center, except with special approval by Conference & Event Services (CES) and Marketing & Communications. Posting of temporary Banners is limited to promotion of University sponsored events/activities and University-recognized organizations or departments.
  • Banner specifications include:
    • Banners must be larger than 2’ x 3’ but may not exceed 3’ x 6' unless approved by or printed by Marketing & Communications.
    • Banners may be made only of vinyl, foam core, cardboard or paper. No banner shall be made of metal or wood.
• Due to the limited space available, banners may only be used to publicize special events that are open to and held primarily for the campus community.  Priority will be given to promotion of Institutional events such as Commencement, Lumberjack Weekend, Orientation/Welcome Week, and Preview events.
• A reservation is required for posting banners in the designated locations.
  • Banner requests must be submitted to Conference & Event Services via the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form at least 2 business days in advance for approval.
  • Banner space may be reserved up to one academic semester in advance of the event.
• There are a limited number of banner spaces allocated for use by Recognized Student Organization (RSO) or Campus Department. Each Recognized Student Organization (RSO) or Campus Department is restricted to 10 business days of banner space per semester, unless an exception is approved by the Dean of Students or their designee. In the event that all spaces are reserved, campus organization representatives may check in daily with the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk to see if a banner space becomes available.
• For safety reasons and to minimize the risk of damage to University property, banners will be posted only by Gutswurrak Student Activities Center, Facilities Management, or Marketing & Communications staff.
  • The Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk will not hold onto banners, unless the space has been reserved.
  • In the event of inclement weather (wind, rain, etc.) banners may not be posted.
• Banners not in compliance with these guidelines will be subject to immediate removal.

• Chalking on campus grounds is only permitted for University affiliated campus departments and organizations.
• Chalking requests must be submitted to Conference & Event Services via the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form at least 2 business days in advance for approval.
• Chalking is only permitted on flat, horizontal, uncovered concrete surfaces - e.g.sidewalks and quads without building overhangs.
  • Chalking is not permitted on buildings, doors, steps, windows, vertical surfaces (such as retaining walls or planters), seating surfaces or tables, painted surfaces, posts, lawn areas, railings, trees, traffic control signs, utility poles, construction fences, vehicles, garden areas, flowerbeds, newspaper racks, trash or recycle bins, streets or stairs, under overhangs, or within 20 feet of stairs or entryways.
• Only water-soluable chalk may be used.
• The University reserves the right to designate “no chalking days” during which days chalking will not be permitted on campus.
• Chalk may be placed no more than 7 days prior to the event. The person/group responsible for chalking is expected to remove the chalking within 3 days following the event.
• Chalk messaging cannot interfere with pedestrian traffic.
• Removal of chalk messaging, other than by the posting party or University personnel acting in pursuant to their duties, is prohibited.
• Postings not in compliance with these guidelines will be subject to immediate removal.
• Failure to comply with the chalking rules or with the other requirements of this policy in association with a chalking activity may result in denial of future requests for chalking approval.

Staking is a stick, pole or post driven into the ground for flier or message promotion. 

• Staking on campus grounds is only permitted for University departments, Registered Student Organizations and University Auxiliary Organizations.
• Staking requests must be submitted to Conference & Event Services via the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form at least 2 business days in advance for approval.
• Promotions are encouraged to achieve the goals with as few staked signs as possible. There should be no more than 25 signs per single event and no more than 2 signs per bed or lawn.
• Signs must not exceed 18 x 24 inches.
• Staked signs must not be higher than 24 inches from the ground.
• Stakes must not exceed 24 inches, and should be placed no deeper than 8 inches into the ground.
• Signs must be placed in landscaped areas outside of turf lawns taking care not to disturb/damage any plants.
  • Staking is not approved in/on the following:
    • Landscape within 24 inches of a stairway
    • Grass or on old growth redwoods
    • In any hard-to-access areas
• The person/group responsible for staking is expected to remove the signs within 3 days following the event.
• Signs must be identified with the name of the individual or organization responsible for the event, activity or program. Otherwise, the posting will be subject to removal.
• Removal of signs, other than by the posting party or University personnel acting pursuant to their duties, is prohibited unless a sign announces an event that has passed.
• Postings not in compliance with these guidelines will be subject to immediate removal.
• Failure to comply with the staking rules or with the other requirements of this policy in association with a staking activity may result in denial of future requests for staking approval.

Tabling is available to members of both the on- and off-campus community, provided their activities comply with the University’s Time, Place, and Manner Policy. Priority for tabling space is given to recognized university organizations and departments, as well as requests submitted in advance.

All tabling activities must comply with the CSU’s Time, Place, and Manner Policy, including but not limited to:

• No temporary or permanent structures, walls, barriers, barricades, furniture, or other objects, except those previously authorized by the University.
• Tables may not block walkways or entrances to buildings or otherwise impede the free flow of traffic.
• Tables must be attended at all times, and individuals or groups must ensure any printed material they distribute does not litter the area.
• Amplified sound is not permitted as part of standard tabling. Activities that include amplified sound, including Bluetooth speakers, microphones, or portable PA systems, must be submitted as an event through 25Live and will be reviewed in accordance with Time, Place, and Manner requirements. Personal devices at conversational volume, audible only within a few feet, are permitted.
• Hawking or pawning is not permitted.
• Non-University commercial activity is prohibited unless explicitly approved by the University Dean of Students or designee.
• All forms of solicitation, including commercial solicitation and private sales, are prohibited unless pre-approved by the University Dean of Students or designee.

Tabling is generally allowed Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including setup and cleanup, during the academic term.

The following scheduling provisions apply to the University Quad only:

• Use of the University Quad is assigned with the following priority:
  • Approved institutional priority events.
  • Mondays and Thursdays are prioritized for tabling by student organizations, campus departments, and university-affiliated groups, except when the space is reserved for an approved institutional priority event. External, non-university tabling is not permitted in the University Quad on these days.
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are prioritized for other approved events.
• On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when an event is scheduled in the University Quad, that event will have priority use of the space and tabling will not be permitted in the University Quad during the event reservation period.
• For scheduling purposes, the University Upper Quad and University Lower Quad are considered one reservable area. If an event reserves either the Upper or Lower University Quad, no other event may be scheduled in the other University Quad area at the same time.
• The Balabanis Art Quad is managed as a separate reservable area and may be available as an alternate location when appropriate.
• If the University Quad has already been reserved for an event, CES will work with subsequent event and tabling requestors to identify relocation options, such as the Balabanis Art Quad, if available and appropriate.
• If the University Quad is reserved for tabling, CES may, in its discretion and if support resources are available, permit an additional concurrent event. If resources are not available, CES will work with the event requestor to identify an alternate location. If no feasible solution can be identified, the event request may be denied.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY

All campus organizations, departments, and Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) must complete the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form in advance to request to table on the University Quad. RSOs with questions about availability, reservations, or tabling procedures should contact the Office of Student Life at clubs@humboldt.edu or 707-826-3776. Please note that state resources may not be used to endorse individual political candidates or initiatives. Campus organizations and departments with questions may contact Conference & Event Services at ces@humboldt.edu or 707-826-5981.

• Tabling requests may be submitted up to two weeks in advance and should be submitted no later than two business days before the desired date.
• Same-day requests may be accommodated based on availability.
• Tablers must check in at the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk before tabling.
• Authorized tablers must display approval provided by Conference & Event Services at all times.
• Tabling is limited to designated locations assigned at check-in.
• CES provides one table, up to 6 feet long, and up to two chairs per tabling reservation. Any additional furniture requests will be classified as an event and must be submitted at least ten business days in advance through 25Live.
• To comply with fire safety regulations, pop-up tent fabric must meet or exceed the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s flame resistance standards.

EXTERNAL COMMUNITY

External users must complete the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form or contact Conference & Event Services at 707-826-5981 or ces@humboldt.edu to request to table in designated external tabling locations on the University Upper Quad.

• External users may not table in the University Quad on Mondays or Thursdays during the academic term.
• Tabling requests may be submitted up to two weeks in advance and no later than two business days before the desired date.
• External users must check in at the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk and sign a release of liability waiver before tabling.
• Authorized tablers must display approval provided by Conference & Event Services at all times.
• External user tabling is restricted to designated locations on the University Upper Quad, assigned at check-in.
• External users must provide their own furniture. One table up to 6 feet long and up to two chairs are permitted.
• To comply with fire safety regulations, pop-up tent fabric must meet or exceed the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s flame resistance standards.

Additional requirements for For-Profit Organizations and Individuals:

• For-profit organizations and individuals are limited to tabling for a maximum of five business days per semester.
• A fee may be required to table on the University Quad.

All tabling assignments and space allocations are made based on operational considerations and applied in a content- and viewpoint-neutral manner.