Publicity and Solicitation

The university has determined that some control of and procedure for commercial solicitation and advertising is needed to: 

  1. Maintain a community respectful of individual right to privacy; 
  2. Regulate the means by which commercial advertising occurs on private property; 
  3. Offer procedure for students and businesses to request appeal of policy issues. 

The intent of Pacific Lutheran University’s solicitation policy is to maintain the community living rights extended to all students, staff and faculty.  Basics tenants of this policy include: 

  1. The University will maintain its community standards in the advertisement or promotion of commercial interests, goods, services, events, etc.  
  2. Publicity must not interfere with satisfactory maintenance of university property; 
  3. Publicity must not limit the orderly operation of university affairs.  Distribution by means of accosting individuals or hawking is not permitted. 

Commercial Solicitation

Commercial solicitation is not permitted on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University.  Companies and their representatives, student representatives of commercial and/or personal enterprises, and employees of Pacific Lutheran University may not: post or distribute promotional materials on-campus or using PLU electronic resources; attempt to make sales through phone, room-to-room or electronic contacts.  

Exceptions to this policy are as follows: 

  1. Officially recognized student organizations may use the avenues discussed below for purposes of solicitation and/or promotion of their programs and the programs of other organizations that have been approved. 
  2. Within guidelines specified in this policy, individual students may advertise the sale of their personal goods, such as books, or their personal services, such as car rides or typing. 
  3. The Residential Life Office, in consultation with the Community Directors, may authorize individuals or organizations to post promotional materials on residence hall bulletin boards or sell items in the lobby of individual residence halls if it is deemed to be of service to students, and following standard procedures does not seem the best approach.  Those seeking approval must complete a request form that may be obtained in the Residential Life Office.  Those approved will be given approval in writing and are asked to carry that written approval when conducting business. 
  4. Sales persons who are not members of the university community may be on campus, as it relates to sales, for the following reasons only: 
  5. to meet students with whom they have previously made appointments; 
  6. to make a request for an exception to the Residential Life Office; 
  7. to discuss the policy on solicitation with the university administration. 

The presence of door-to-door salespersons on campus shall be reported to the Residential Life 

Office, the Campus Life Office, and/or Campus Safety Office. 

Approved Types of Solicitation, Advertisement, and Promotions for Student Organizations on 

Campus

University affiliated groups, organizations, or publications will advertise or sponsor only those commercial interests, goods, services, events, etc., that are legal or permitted on campus.  (Alcohol, guns, gambling and credit cards may not be advertised or promoted, consistent with the University’s ban on such items.)  This restriction does not apply to the editorial content of student media.  Editorial content includes all non-advertising material.

  • Publications, Event Brochures, Sponsorships: Recognized student organizations are authorized to solicit revenue from non-university businesses for advertising, sponsorship and promotional support of events.  In keeping with university community standards that prohibit alcohol (and alcohol containers), and weapons (as described in the PLU Student Code of Conduct Firearms, Explosives, or Weapons” section), campus groups are restricted from advertising/publicity that encourages or promotes possession, consumption, or use.  Advertising/publicity/sponsorship is restricted from businesses that are open only to adults 21 years and older.

Pacific Lutheran University community standards strongly encourage individual choices that do not put students at risk of incurring credit card or gambling debt.  To support this, standard campus organizations are restricted from soliciting revenue from credit card purveyors or businesses engaged in gambling, including, but not limited to, casinos and online gambling activities.

  • Use of Residence Hall Mailboxes: The use of residence hall mailboxes by student organizations is permitted with the approval of the respective Community Director.  United States mail addressed to individual students, regardless of its nature is approved for distribution. 
  • Room-to-Room Contact: Room-to-room student contact by student organizations is permitted for purposes of program promotion or election campaigning.  It includes placing promotional materials under the doors of individual residents.  This type of contact is subject to the approval of the Residential Life Office (who will consult the Community Directors). 
  • Campus Bulletin Boards
  1. Commercial advertising signs are not permitted except when sponsored by a university department (e.g., the bookstore, athletic department), ASPLU, or Residence Hall Association, or when the Residential Life and/or Student Engagement determine they are in the general interest of the university community. 
  2. Except for the residence hall bulletin boards, all university bulletin boards are classified as either general or reserved.  Only “general” university bulletin boards may be used for commercial advertising purposes.  These boards are located in the Columbia Center, Karen Hille Phillips Auditorium, Hauge Administration Building, Ingram Hall, Memorial Gymnasium, Mortvedt Library, Olson Auditorium, University Center and Xavier Hall.  All materials posted on boards must be approved for posting and be stamped accordingly or they will be removed.  Approval for general bulletin boards may be obtained in the ASPLU Office, and in the Residential Life office for residence halls.  Posters will be removed within 24-hours of the event. 
  3. Students who wish to advertise personal goods (such as books) or services (such as rides) may use residence hall bulletin boards with the approval of the Community Director. 
  4. To maintain the beauty of campus, no promotional materials may be affixed to trees, shrubbery, light standards, benches, sculptures, signs, vehicles, trash receptacles, fire hydrants, flag poles, or exteriors of buildings. 
  • Chalking: All chalking must be approved by Student Engagement. Students must submit a Chalk Advertising Request Form to the Student Engagement office if you would like to chalk on campus. Chalk that is not approved will be washed off as it is noticed. Any group or individual not following these instructions or chalking in unapproved areas will not be allowed to chalk in the future.   
  1. Do not chalk within 25 feet of any door
  2. Do not chalk under any overhang
  3. Do not chalk on brick
  4. Do not chalk on Synthetic Surfaces
  5. Alternate sidewalk blocks so you do not chalk on every one
  6. Chalking on any vertical surface (buildings or walls) is strictly prohibited
  7. The use of markers, paints, oil-based products, or spray chalk is prohibited
  8. Chalking may not occur in the following spaces: Red Square, AUC Atrium, MBR Amphitheatre, Soccer field, baseball field, track, or tennis courts.
  • Lawn Signs: Lawn signs must not be used for individual purposes or to advertise student events or programs on campus. Any unauthorized signs will be removed, and the individual or organization may be subject to a conduct violation.
  • If any club or organization feels they should have an exemption, students must meet with the Campus Life Office and follow instructions as given.