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 purpose of this policy is to help regulate the use of advertising space on Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus.
This policy does not regulate the use of space, for advertising by non-student groups; that is under the direct control of academic or administrative departments of Carnegie Mellon University.
When there is a contradiction between this policy and the Carnegie Mellon University Student Body Constitution, Student Government Fiscal Policy, Student Senate Bylaws, or Graduate Student Assembly Bylaws, those documents shall supersede this policy.
When there is a contradiction between this policy and the Carnegie Mellon University Joint Funding Committee Bylaws, Committee on Student Organizations Bylaws, Student Government Election Rules, Presidents Cabinet Bylaws, or Activities Board Constitution, this policy shall supersede those documents.
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.
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".
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.
Painting the Fence
Painting the Fence, a long standing tradition at Carnegie Mellon University, is not considered graffiti.
Only paintbrushes may be used for painting the Fence.
Spray paint, airbrushes, paint rollers, and similar tools may not be used when painting the Fence. Use of such 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.
Posters
Carnegie Mellon University recognized groups, organizations, academic and administrative departments, and students are only permitted to post active posters on Student Government bulletin board. Posters are not permitted on doors, walls, and/or windows at Carnegie Mellon University. Location 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 are no more than seven (7) days after they are no longer active posters.
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, located in UC Suite 103.
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 not event is advertised, the banner must be removed no later than thirty (30) days after its initial posting on Doherty Hall.
Student Senate’s 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.
