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 may be placed on only paved pedestrian walkways, and may not block walkways or entrances to buildings or otherwise impede the free flow of traffic. 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, posters, and sandwich boards are permitted following the guidelines below. Posting printed material on all other locations including, but not limited to, building walls, restrooms, windows, glass surfaces, doors, 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.
  • Posters may not exceed 11”x17” in size.
  • Posters must identify the responsible organization or department.
  • Quantities permitted—On-campus events: 50 copies. Off-campus events/all other: 20 copies.
  • 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 Director of Residence Life, 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 through 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 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.

• 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, or within 20 feet of stairs, under overhangs, 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.
• 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. This service is limited to recognized University affiliated campus departments and organizations.
  • Staking must be approved in advance by Conference & Event Services..
  • For spaces within Housing & Residence Life, staking must be approved in advance by the Director of Residence Life. 
• Stakes may not be up for longer than 10 business days, unless provided special permission from Conference & Event Services. Within 72 hours after completion of the advertised event, the posting entity or person is responsible for removing the posters and all stakes. 
• All signs must identify the responsible University-recognized organization or department.

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 with advanced reservations. 

• All tabling activities must comply with the University'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 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 such individuals or groups must ensure any printed material they are distributing does not litter the area.
• Cannot hawk or pawn.
• 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.
• Recognized Student Organizations will work with the Office of Student Life to reserve a table, and sign off on tabling procedures.
  • Recognized Student Organizations may not use state resources to endorse individual political candidates.
  • Check with the Office of Student Life desk to confirm table availability before setting up.
• Campus organizations and departments must submit a reservation request via 25Live, Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form or contact Conference & Event Services (CES) for assistance.
  • Requests must be submitted in 25Live at least two business days in advance and are only accepted for the current semester.
  • Same day requests may be accommodated based on availability by submitting requests via Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form .
  • Tablers must check in at the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Information Desk before tabling.
  • Authorized tablers must display a green “APPROVED TO TABLE ON THE UNIVERSITY QUAD” card provided by Conference & Event Services at all times.
  • Tabling is generally allowed Monday-Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm (including set up and clean up) during academic term, provided there are no prior reservations for on-campus activities or events in the University Quad.
  • 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 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 users must complete the Promotional Materials and Tabling Request Form, or can contact Conference & Event Services (CES) at 707-826-5981 or ces@humboldt.edu to request to table on the University Upper Quad.
  • Requests must be submitted at least two business ays in advance and are only accepted for the current semester.
  • 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 a green “APPROVED TO TABLE ON THE UNIVERSITY QUAD” card provided by CES at all times.
  • Tabling is generally allowed Monday-Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm (including set up and clean up) during academic term, provided there are no prior reservations for on-campus activities or events in the University Quad.
  • 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 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 & Individuals:
  • Limited to tabling for a maximum of five (5) business days per semester.
  • A fee may be required to table on the University Quad.