Allowed and Prohibited Promotion Methods for First-Year and Campus-Wide Election Campaigns

Election campaign promotion may involve activities included in the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities. Free speech and space use privileges on campus are covered in Institutional Ruleschapters six, 10 and 13. Please review the Institutional Rules for the most up to date version of the rules, and this page may not be updated to reflect available promotion options based on specific campus circumstances. Potential violations of the Institutional Rules should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. The Election Supervisory Board cannot resolve Institutional Rule violations.

Reserving Space on Campus for Election Campaign Events

Candidates in the Campus Elections student organization, or an officer of a student organization that is endorsing a candidate, can reserve space on campus (limited public forum and common outdoor areas) to hold campaign events. Space reservations may require a meeting with the department or facility staff who manage that space. Candidates are encouraged to submit their reservation requests as soon as they file and are added to the Campus Elections student organization HornsLink roster, even though campaign events may only be held during the campaign period. Individual students may reserve common outdoor areas as part of a public forum for expressive activities only. Learn more about indoor space reservation and outdoor spaces reservation options, processes and procedures. Relevant Institutional Rules sections include Section 10-201 and Sections 13-902 – 13-903.

Resources and Promotion Options for Election Campaigns

1. Signs: Candidates can post signs on designated bulletin boards indoors. Bulletin boards inside buildings are managed by the building and each may have different policies or rules for posting signs. Please speak to the building manger if you wish to post campaign signs indoors. Currently, there are no known outdoor public campus bulletin boards. Related Institutional Rules sections include Sections 13-501, 13-502 and 13-504.
2. Banners and A-Frames: Candidates in the Campus Elections student organization and student organizations endorsing a candidate may reserve limited A-frame and banner spaces. Candidates are encouraged to submit their reservation requests as soon as they file and are added to the Campus Elections student organization HornsLink roster. An approved A-frame can only be displayed during the campaign period. An approved banner will only be hung during the campaign period. Related Institutional Rules include Section 13-503 and Sections 13-701 – 13-704.
3. Tabling: Individual students, candidates in the Campus Elections student organization, and student organizations endorsing a candidate may all table on campus. Tabling does not require a reservation; however reservations take priority (tables may not be set up in locations with an active reservation). Individual students may not use the Student Activities tables in Gregory Gym or the Flawn Academic Center (FAC). Candidates should consult with the Election Supervisory Board regarding any regulations provided in the Campus-Wide Election Code and visit Tabling on Campus for more information. Related Institutional Rules include Subchapter 13-600.
4. Flyering: Individual students, candidates in the Campus Elections organization, and student organizations endorsing a candidate may all stand and pass out literature (flyer) on campus without a reservation. Flyering that disrupts a scheduled event in a reserved location is not permitted. Related Institutional Rules include Subchapter 13-400.
5. Amplified Sound: Amplified sound is permitted as part of a space reservation with advance permission in the amplified sound areas identified in the Institutional Rules. Related Institutional Rules include Subchapter 13-800.
6. University Trademarks: Officers in the Campus Election student organization have permission to use a limited number of registered university trademarks during their campaign. Student organizations endorsing a candidate and individual students may NOT use any university trademarks without the explicit permission of the Office of Brand, Trademarks and Licensing. Related Institutional Rules include Section 6-204(b).

Prohibited Promotion Methods for Election Campaigns

• Damaging Campus Property: Examples include chalking, hanging items in/on buildings, attaching items to other university property (poles, signs, sidewalks) or landscape (trees, bushes, lawns, etc.,) and staking signs into the ground. Related Institutional Rules include Section 13-302.
• Littering: Examples include leaving flyers in campus buildings; letting literature fall to the ground when flyering or tabling and not picking it up; and holding an event and not cleaning up. Related Institutional Rules include Sections 13-302 and 13-404)
• Disruption: Physical or audible actions that interfere with the normal academic and/or business functions of the university, as well as other authorized activities on campus. Related Institutional Rules include Section 13-301.
• Coercing Attention or Harassment: If a student indicates that they do not wish to talk to a campaigner, they must be allowed to walk away without being followed or yelled at. Related Institutional Rules include Sections 13-204 and 13-303.