Protocols and Standards for Campus Signs and Postings

The university takes pride in its Spanish Renaissance architectural heritage and beautiful grounds, which reflect campus tradition and values.  Flyers, posters, and signs are frequently used to publicize events, but their proliferation can negatively impact the environment as well as detract from the beauty of our campus landscape.  Individuals are urged to use sustainable materials and consider electronic media to reduce these impacts.  The following protocols are intended to establish a balance between desire for publicity and USD’s commitment to a sustainable environment.

These protocols apply to all student, faculty, and staff postings on the USD campus.  Promotional materials are allowed only for events which have been approved by Associated Students or a recognized student organization, Student Affairs, or USD administrative office.  Postings within the college or a school must be approved by the appropriate dean’s office or an appointed advisor. 

Outside organizations or parties that host events on campus may post printed material relating to the event on university property only if doing so is permitted in the party’s contract with USD or is otherwise approved in writing by the appropriate university liaison to the outside organization or party.  Any such posting must comply with these protocols. 
All other postings by outside organizations or parties must be submitted to Student Affairs for approval and permitted locations.

A violation of these protocols will result in corrective action as appropriate under the circumstances. For employees, corrective action may include verbal warnings, written warnings or other appropriate disciplinary action. For students, corrective action will be imposed in a manner consistent with the university’s Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities or other applicable rules.  If the violation is committed by an individual who is not an employee or student, corrective action within the reasonable control of the university will be initiated.

The following protocols apply to temporary signs posting announcements. These protocols do not apply to or govern the distribution of materials such as leaflets on campus. Questions regarding permanent signage for buildings, room identification, or directional markings should be addressed to Planning Design and Construction in Facilities Management.

General

• Use of the USD logo is restricted to official publications and promotional items of the university as outlined in theOfficial Visual Identity and Communications Style Manual.
• Postings are not allowed on buildings, walls, doors, windows, display cases, furnishings, fountains, fences, trees, poles, cars, permanent signage, or any other architectural feature, with exceptions noted below.
• Posted materials must include the name of the sponsoring organization or department and display a stamp indicating that they have been approved for posting by the appropriate dean or vice president or designees.
• Materials may be posted up to one week prior to an event and must be removed within 24 hours after the completion of the event.  Removal and recycling are the responsibility of the group posting the materials.
• Postings at campus athletic venue locations are controlled by the Department of Athletics.
• Postings in student housing areas are controlled by Residence Life and Student Affairs.
• Exceptions to these protocols may be made under special circumstances with the approval of the appropriate dean or vice president with consultation with the Office of University Design.

Posters/Flyers

• Indoor posters are allowed on bulletin boards with the approval of appropriate departments and administrators.  Posters may not exceed 22x28 inches and are not allowed on interior floors, walls, windows, doors, or furnishings.  Faculty may post individual announcements on their office doors.
• Outdoor posters are allowed on sidewalks except in the following areas: The Immaculata; Eagen Plaza; and Founders Hall entry, courtyard, and chapel areas.  Sidewalk posters may not exceed 11x17 inches.
• A maximum of 50 posters may be posted on sidewalks.  Removable tape, such as blue painter’s tape, must be used to secure posters.  Posters must be printed on colorfast paper that will not stain the sidewalk surface.

• Posters that are wet (rain, sprinkler, or other) or do not display a stamp of approval will be removed by Facilities Grounds Department.

Banners

• Student event banners may be sized up to 3x6 feet. Banners exceeding this limit must be approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee.
• Student event banners may be hung by Missions Crossroads, Missions Parking Structure railing, Camino/Founders courtyard gates, Serra Hall third-floor railing, Maher Hall third-floor railing, and Olin Hall bridge railing.  Removable tape, such as blue painter’s tape, must be used to secure banners.
• Custom banners designed for sponsored conferences or events must be coordinated with the USD liaison/facility scheduler and approved by University Design. The size and location of the banner must be approved in advance in writing by the appropriate USD liaison to the outside organization.

Event/Conference Signage

• When an event venue is reserved, it is the responsibility of the USD liaison to communicate these protocols in writing to the requesting parties.
• Signs at the entrance kiosks and signs to direct off-campus attendees to parking and event venues on campus must be requested through Parking Services, who will determine the number of signs allowed and their placement.
• Freestanding signs, stanchions, A-frames, easels, etc., may only be used for campus-wide events and administrative announcements.  Use and location of these sign types must receive one time prior approval from the Office of University Design.

University Marquees

• Requests for event announcements on the electronic marquees at the campus entrances must be placed though Campus Scheduling by contacting marquee@sandiego.edu.