University Governance
Advertising, Promotion and Literature Distribution Policies
The Division of Student Affairs through Student Life and Involvement (SLI) oversees all advertising, promotions, literature, and publications distribution on the USC campus in order (1) to protect the rights enumerated in the policy on Free Expression and Dissent, (2) to help foster and maintain a campus atmosphere of personal responsibility and mutual respect; (3) to allow for maximum promotion of student events; and (4) to ensure a safe environment of order and cleanliness on campus. This will aid in creating a campus that promotes the well-being of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors and will provide events with effective publicity and exposure.
General Regulations
1. Content of all printed materials posted or distributed on campus must:
2. USC does not exercise prior restraint on printed materials to be posted or distributed on campus that may be libelous or slanderous. However, if such materials are posted or distributed, they may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for action.
3. Any material that is not written in English requires a translation to be kept on file with the SCheduling Office in Ronald Tutor Campus Center 330.
4. Any groups or organizations not recognized by the university will be considered either “commercial” or “personal,” including non-profit organizations.
Table Reservations
The university offers 10 table spaces in the center of campus to be used primarily to disseminate information to the university community. Tables can also be reserved for fundraising or donation collections, with approval from the Office of Campus Activities. To avoid obstructing walkways and protect the community from fraudulent practices/services all table spaces must be reserved through the SCheduling Office. No one is permitted to bring his or her own table. Tables are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
1. Recognized student organizations, students and campus departments may reserve table space on Trousdale to promote events or distribute materials through the SCheduling Office, (213) 740-6728, via the online reservation request form at usc.edu/scheduling.
2. Tables can only be placed on the east side of Trousdale (near Alumni Park) and the grassy median on Trousdale. Tables are not permitted at Tommy Trojan (unless the organization is sponsoring an event at Tommy Trojan) or anywhere on the Bovard side of Trousdale Parkway.
3. Tables are available for pick up on the east side of Trousdale Parkway near Alumni Park. Tables not picked up within the first hour of the reserved time will be released. Fees will be assessed for tables not returned on time. Tables are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The replacement costs of tables and chairs not returned will be charged to the organization/department.
4. Student organizations, students, campus departments and off-campus organizations cannot supply their own tables and chairs. Tents and large props are not permitted at tables unless prior approval is granted from the SCheduling Office.
5. Off-campus individuals and organizations may request table space via the online form at usc.edu/scheduling. There are rental fees for tables used by off-campus clients. Tables may not be used for the solicitation of business or the selling of merchandise. Contact the SCheduling Office at (213) 740-6728 for rate information. All materials being distributed at the table must be submitted to the SCheduling Office at least two weeks prior to the reservation date.
6. Off-campus individuals or organizations may not rent table space during the first week of any semester or during any official university functions, including but not limited to homecoming and commencement.
7. Off-campus organizations or individuals must have the written permission from the SCheduling Office to distribute literature anywhere on campus. All approved organizations and individuals must keep their written permission and appropriate identification visibly displayed with them at all times on campus. Please see the Literature and Publications Distribution Policy for additional information.
8. No amplified sound is permitted during tabling reservations.
9. Table reservations must be cancelled at least two business days prior to the event to avoid penalty.
Posting
Student Life and Involvement (SLI) maintains several posting kiosks across campus where university students may staple posters or flyers without prior approval. Posting on bulletin boards not controlled by SLI must be approved by the staff of the principal department in that building. It is the university’s intent to limit the use of departmental bulletin boards to information relating to that department, unless otherwise posted.
In order to advance the university’s objectives, to control the number of posters or flyers posted, and to ensure appropriate use of university facilities and property, limits may be placed on the number of posting locations that commercial or personal groups may use.
The individual or organization responsible for the posting must be identified.
Posting or flyer distribution is prohibited in the following areas or in the following ways:
1. all trees and hedges
2. the ground, taped or loose
3. buildings (including glass windows, doors, walls, and columns)
4. Tommy Trojan and all other statues
5. trash cans
6. all lamp posts
7. telephone booths/telephone poles
8. parking lots and structures
9. on top of other previously posted materials
10. fountains
11. chalking
12. electronic flyers or materials distributed via USC listservs
13. on cars, bicycles or other individual property
14. freestanding advertisements such as signs on stands, sandwich boards, other displays, etc.
The individual or organization responsible for posting will be held accountable for any violations and associated fees.
Literature and Publications Distribution
1. Student Life and Involvement (SLI) oversees the in-person distribution of literature (including posters, handbills and pamphlets) and publications on the campus and the compliance of individuals and organizations with this policy.
2. All university faculty, staff, students and recognized organizations may distribute literature anywhere on campus provided such distribution does not affect the scheduled activities in that area and does not interfere with the essential operations of the university. Any organization or individual must comply with a request from any and all members of the university community for a copy of the material being distributed.
3. If more than five individuals will be distributing literature, individuals must complete an Event Request form and wait for event confirmation. Reservations are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. A representative from the organization or an individual (as the case may be) must be present with a copy of their SLI SCheduling Office confirmed Event Request form whenever literature is distributed by more than five individuals in any campus area. This process ensures prior notification to requested area occupants regarding the activity, works to alleviate misunderstandings, lessens the chance for actions against individuals or organizations distributing literature, and works to alleviate impediments to the flow of traffic across campus or into entrances or out of exits of campus buildings. These requirements do not apply to normal academic activities within the program of any school of the university.
5. If any literature contains language other then English, then a copy of the translated information must be on file with the SCheduling Office.
6. Off-campus organizations, individuals or vendors must have the written permission of the SCheduling Office to distribute literature or conduct transactions anywhere on campus. All approved organizations, individuals or vendors must keep their written permission and appropriate identification visibly displayed with them at all times on campus.
7. Non-university publications including but not limited to newspapers and magazines cannot be distributed on campus. Designated bins are for official university publications only.
No preprinted manually inserted sheets of information (flyers, advertisements or any other information message sheets) are allowed inside the pages of any official university publication.
Banners
Banners may only be mounted on campus buildings if: (a) permission is obtained by the occupants of the building; (b) such banners are professionally produced; (c) they meet design criteria established by the university architect’s office; (d) they are consistent with the university’s graphic identity guidelines; and (e) such banners are for identification of the academic program, department or school housed within the building on which the banner is mounted. Banners may not be mounted on guide wires suspended between campus buildings.
Trousdale Light Post Banners
1. The SCheduling Office maintains 11 light post locations on Trousdale Parkway for pole panels. The light poles may be reserved by recognized student organizations or campus departments at least four weeks prior to the desired first date of banner display.
2. Panels may only be mounted if such banners are: (a) professionally produced; (b) meet design criteria established by the university architect’s office; (c) are consistent with the university’s graphic identity guidelines; and (d) are for identification of the academic program, department or event.
In addition, pole panels must: (a) be produced at the suggested university vendor, contact the SCheduling Office; (b) fit the dimensions of the existing mounting hardware (2’ by 4’); and (c) use a minimum of five of the 11 available poles. If the proposed banner design includes text, such text must prominently feature the name of the campus organization and the name of the campus event. A copy of the proposed panel design should be submitted to the SCheduling Office at least four weeks prior to the desired first date of banner display.
3. The reserving organization will arrange for the light pole panel installation and removal. Charges will be the responsibility of the student organization or campus department.
4. A representative from the student organization or campus department is responsible for meeting the light pole panel installer at installation and removal of panels to deliver and accept their panels.
5. The student organization or campus department is responsible for the storage of their pole panels.
Violations
1. Non-compliance with any of the provisions of these guidelines will constitute a violation.
2. All printed materials in violation of these policies will be removed. Costs incurred for the removal of such materials can be charged to the person, persons or organization responsible for the violation.
3. Any violation or continued violations of these guidelines will be handled in accordance with the severity of the infraction, and will include one or more of the following responses:
Responsibility for Content
An individual or organization shall be personally responsible for the content of any sign, notice, poster or other material referenced herein, which the individual or organization sponsors or posts on campus.
Advertisements or promotions on campus or in university publications and activity programs do not imply official endorsement by the university.
Helpful Hints
1. Make an effort to print quality flyers and/or literature.
2. Plan for six weeks or more of lead-time to take full advantage of the process of scheduling and advertising an event.
3. Plan carefully before printing materials in order to avoid printing more than can legitimately be utilized.
4. Use other types of promotion in addition to flyers. Flyers should only be one small part of your promotional campaign.
5. For additional ideas regarding effective promotion of your student organization’s events, consult with Campus Activities staff members in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center.
Revised April 2012.
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