Bulletin Board, Advertising & Publicity Policy
Custodian of Policy: VP Finance & Administration
Effective Date: Summer 2026
Last Review: Spring 2026
Next Review: Spring 2033
Relevant Policies / Procedures: Facilities & Space Use
Freedom of Speech Policy
Protests & Demonstrations
University Signage Policy
Rationale and Scope
Minnesota State University Moorhead recognizes the importance of providing information about events and opportunities that support the University’s mission and are of value to the University’s students, faculty, staff, visitors, and guests. This policy is intended to provide direction for groups or individuals who wish to display or distribute information in University facilities and any other property controlled by the University.
Definitions
Informative materials include posters, easels, exhibits, digital monitors, flyers, handouts, bulletins, notices, sandwich boards, floor ads, or any other type of sign or display format used for the purpose of advertising, announcing, sharing, or marketing information.
Non-affiliated individual or organization means an individual or organization not affiliated with MSUM and includes, but is not limited to:
- community organizations
- community governmental organizations and associations
- regional, state or national organizations
- non-profit groups
- related state and federal government agencies
Policy
All informative materials posted or distributed in University facilities and any other property controlled by the University must clearly identify the department, program, recognized student organization, company, or other entity responsible for the content being displayed or distributed.
Informative materials posted or distributed by non-affiliated individuals or organizations require prior approval by the Executive Director of Public Safety and
Compliance or their designee. Non-affiliated individuals or organizations may not use University logos on any informative materials. The University is not responsible for content errors, false information, or copyright/trademark infringement on informative materials created or published by non-affiliated individuals or organizations. Posted materials may not market or advertise profit-making goods or services that compete with the University or its existing business relationships, such as catering, book sales, banks or other commercial services.
Informative materials must be placed in such a manner as to not cause damage to the display location. In addition, the presence of a sign designating the bulletin board for a specific use (e.g. University departments or labor unions) indicates that others may not place informative materials on these boards without permission granted by the designated user.
Only one posting for the same or similar content may be posted per location. Posted items are to remain within the perimeter of the bulletin board and should not cover any other posted material. Posted items shall be no larger than 11” x 17” unless otherwise approved by the Executive Director of Public Safety and Compliance or their designee.
No materials are to be posted on buildings, building entry/exit doors (except for emergency notices, security, or building hour notices), walls, doors, glass, windows, columns, stairwells (except evacuation information), railings, bathroom stalls, sculptures, or any other permanent structure of the University. No materials may be attached to light poles, trees, yards, benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, or vehicles in campus parking lots. Requests for exceptions to these restrictions may be approved by the Executive Director of Public Safety and Compliance or their designee.
Informative materials placed on bulletin boards designated for use by University departments must promote the department, academic program, and/or field of study. Academic departments may display their students’ scholarly research posters on walls in academic buildings. These displays may exceed 11” x 17”, must be made in a neat and orderly fashion, and be posted in such a manner as to not cause damage to the display location. Student scholarly research posters must be removed after their purpose has been served.
The University recognizes that in order to do business, temporary notices occasionally must be posted on office or classroom doors, indicating changes, class cancellations, office closings, or faculty office hours. Such postings must be made in a neat and orderly fashion and posted in such a manner as to not cause damage to the display location. Temporary notices must be removed after their purpose has been served.
Floor graphics are permitted and must be approved and arranged by the University Marketing and Communications team. Chalking is permitted on campus sidewalks with prior approval from the Executive Director of Public Safety and Compliance or their designee.
Informative materials must be removed by the individuals who originally posted the information in such a manner as to not cause damage to the display location. If materials are not removed and become outdated, expired, or damaged, the materials may be removed and disposed of by University staff or any person needing use of the space. Informative materials that do not have date-specific information may be removed to accommodate posting or distribution of informative materials promoting current events, specific needs, or issues related to the campus community.
Informative materials shall be posted, displayed, carried, or distributed in a manner which does not:
- violate any Minnesota State or University policy, procedure, or codes of conduct or federal, state, or local laws.
- include messages promoting or advertising alcohol, other drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
- impede access to university buildings or grounds or cause obstruction, blockage, or interference with the regular flow of pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic.
- present a safety hazard by causing obstruction, blockage, or interference with emergency exits, fire extinguishers, or other safety equipment.
- result in excessive litter or interferes with campus beautification or grounds maintenance efforts.
University administration retains authority over ensuring informative materials support the University’s mission and are of value to the University’s students, faculty, staff, visitors, and guests. University administration reserves the right to remove and dispose of informative materials that are in violation of this policy. Repeated violations of this policy may result in revocation of posting or distribution privileges and/or other action. The University reserves the right to assess the cost of labor and materials for cleanup and for any damage done to University facilities and any other property controlled by the University which are a direct result of the posted, displayed, carried, or distributed informative materials.
Certain University facilities (e.g. Livingston Lord Library, Dille Center for the Arts, Nemzek Hall, Comstock Memorial Union, Gerdin Wellness Center, or Housing & Residence Life facilities) may have additional University-approved guidelines or exceptions to this policy due to the unique aspects of their department or buildings.