Postings on University Property (IV.B.2)

Volume IV: Facilities and Safety
Chapter B: Use of Facilities
Responsible Executive: Senior Vice President for Administrative Operations and Chancellors
Responsible Office: Facilities Operations
Date Issued: October 13, 2008
Date Last Revised: March 1, 2026

Table of Contents

Contacts
Statement of Policy
Reason for This Policy
Individuals and Entities Affected
Exclusions
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
Website Address for This Policy
History and Updates
Appendix

Contacts

Policy Clarification

Senior Director, Buildings and Grounds
765-494-0930 | adminops@purdue.edu

Campus Specific Questions

Fort Wanye: Facilities Management
260-481-6832 | facilities@pfw.edu

Northwest: Facilities
219-989-2285 or 219-785-5347 | facilitymgmt@pnw.edu

West Lafayette: Senior Director, Buildings and Grounds
765-494-0930 | adminops@purdue.edu

Statement of Policy

Allowable Postings

The University provides various designated locations on its campuses, both indoors and outside, for university community members to share information about their events and initiatives. These locations are for use only by students, faculty, staff, Recognized Student Organizations, and units of the University, such as colleges, schools, departments, divisions and offices. All postings must adhere to the Posting Requirements listed in this policy.

Approval to post may be required, and posting areas and requirements may be expanded, as follows: 

Indoors

1. Postings on bulletin boards designated for community use generally do not require prior approval.
2. A Building Deputy (see definition) may designate additional posting areas in consultation with the Campus Posting Authority.
3. Each Building Deputy may establish additional requirements for postings on bulletin boards in their building beyond those noted in this policy.

Outside

1. Postings on boards and panels designated for community use do not require prior approval.
2. Posting information on sidewalks does not require prior approval on the conditions that the posting is limited only to (a) washable (water soluble) chalk and (b) sidewalk areas that are exposed daily to the elements.
3. Approval from the Campus Posting Authority is required to (a) designate an area for installing large banners and (b) post banners in that area. Once designated area is approved, its continued use is coordinated through the Campus Posting Authority and/or a unit designated by the Campus Posting Authority.

Prohibited Postings

Bulletin boards and other areas designated specifically for postings related to official university business or those required by federal and state law (e.g., wage and hour, equal employment opportunity, and safety) are limited to that purpose only. Postings on these areas for any other purpose are prohibited.

No posters, flyers, banners or other similar materials may be placed, and no paint of any kind may be used for posting, on any permanent outdoor university structure (e.g., walls, windows, utility poles, lamp posts, fountains, trash containers, benches, trees, etc.). The use of window clings and adhesive graphics for exterior windows is also prohibited. See Exclusions section for exceptions.

With respect to sidewalks, the following are prohibited: the placement of posters, notices, flyers, adhesives or other similar materials, the use of paint of any kind, and the use of oil-based or aerosol (spray) chalk. Chalking on brick pavers and all vertical surfaces is also prohibited.

Postings by off-campus businesses, organizations, entities and individuals are prohibited unless sponsored by a Recognized Student Organization or a unit of the University and noted on the posting.

Posting Requirements

1. All posted information must identify the sponsoring university entity and either clearly promote the activity publicized or convey the viewpoint expressed as its primary message. The primary message may not be the commercial advancement of any non-university affiliated entity or product.
2. Printed materials may be posted for a maximum of one week prior to the date of the activity or event promoted and no more than three days after the event. Printed materials not promoting an event may be posted for a maximum of one week. Approved large outdoor banners may be installed for a longer period of time with approval from the Campus Posting Authority.
3. It is the responsibility of the party posting the material to post, remove and recycle their materials in accordance with this policy.
4. No posted materials may obscure the materials of other groups.
5. The use of decals, stickers and other materials that are not easily removed are restricted to use only for official university business and may not be used to promote events or activities.
6. The content of all posted items must comply with university policies and procedures. Postings by colleges, schools, departments and other units of the University must also follow brand standards set by the Purdue Brand Studio (e.g., logos, colors, graphics, etc.). Content must comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, and may not be defamatory, incite violence, or constitute any other form of non-protected speech.

Housing/Residences on each campus may develop additional guidelines for door decorations.

The University reserves the right to remove posted materials at any time.

Long-term and Permanent Signage

Permanent signage and banners affixed to interior or exterior walls, doors, ceilings, etc., and painted murals are considered building alterations and must be authorized in accordance with the policy on Assignment, Construction, Alterations, Improvements and Maintenance of Facilities (IV.B.4).

Polling Locations on Campus

In the event the University agrees to allow its facilities to be used as a polling location for a primary or general election, the placement of campaign material must adhere to federal, state and local statutes and regulations.

Reason for This Policy

The University recognizes the need to provide students, faculty and staff an avenue to post and distribute information pertaining to on-campus events and activities or off-campus events sponsored by a Recognized Student Organization or university college, school, department or office. The University guarantees all members of the campus community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, as conveyed in its Commitment to Freedom of Expression. While championing and upholding free speech, the University also recognizes the need for reasonable time, place and manner regulations to ensure expression does not disrupt the ordinary functioning of the University. 

The University similarly takes its role as a steward of the environment seriously. This includes balancing the overall aesthetic appearance of campus with the need for information sharing.

This policy provides guidelines by which students, employees, and other individuals, groups and organizations can post materials at various designated areas in and around University Facilities consistent with these principles and objectives.

Individuals and Entities Affected

All faculty, staff, students, Recognized Student Organizations and units of the University.

Exclusions

While window clings and adhesive graphics for exterior windows, adhesive sidewalk graphics, streetlight banners and large exterior building banners are otherwise prohibited by this policy, postings of this nature are allowed when:

1. They are used to promote the University’s brand or a systemwide or campuswide strategic initiative;
2. The location for and duration of the posting is approved by the Campus Posting Authority;
3. The content of the posting is approved by the Chief Marketing Officer (West Lafayette campuses), Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing (Fort Wayne campus) or Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications (Northwest campus), or their designees; and any requirements for long-term and permanent signage imposed by the Campus Posting Authority are met.

Responsibilities

Campus Posting Authority

• Enforce this policy for their campus.
• Review and make determinations on requests for exceptions to this policy in or on University Facilities on their campus.

Building Deputies

• Monitor bulletin boards, kiosks and other areas designated for posting materials in their building for compliance with this policy.
• Assist campus faculty, staff and students in obtaining any required approvals for posting materials.

Dean of Students/Student Affairs Offices

• Address violations of this policy by students and Recognized Student Organizations.

Supervisors

• Address violations of this policy by faculty, staff and units of the University under their authority.

Faculty, Staff, Students and Recognized Student Organizations

• Comply with this policy, including following any applicable procedures for obtaining approval to post on designated areas.

Definitions

All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.

Building Deputy
Individuals designated as the liaison between the occupants of a building and the campus facilities department. On a campus where there is no liaison, the campus facilities department takes on the role of Building Deputy as contemplated in this policy.

Campus Posting Authority
The individual identified below on each campus designated with the authority to approve or deny certain postings.

1. Fort Wayne: Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs
2. Northwest: Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Services
3. West Lafayette (as defined in the policy glossary): Senior Director of Buildings and Grounds

University Facilities
As used in this policy, any University owned, leased, used or occupied building or structure, and any land or infrastructure owned, used or leased by the University.

Related Documents, Forms and Tools

Building Deputy Directory for West Lafayette

Information on Purdue’s brand requirements

Related policies

• Assignment, Construction, Alterations, Improvements and Maintenance to Facilities (IV.B.4)
• Commitment to Freedom of Expression
• Use of Facilities (IV.B.1)

Website Address for This Policy

www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/facilities-safety/ivb2/

History and Updates

March 1, 2026: Policy significantly revised to provide greater clarity on approvals, requirements, prohibitions and rights. Created definitions for Building Deputy and Campus Posting Authority. Included information on large banners, window clings, permanent signage, and polling locations.

November 18, 2011: Policy number changed to IV.B.2 (formerly I.4.3).

October 13, 2008: prior to October 2008 this policy was included as an appendix to policy I.4.1, Regulations Governing the Use and Assignment of University Facilities.

Appendix

There are no appendices to this policy.