Solicitations, Sales, Fundraising, Signs, and Literature Distribution Procedure (63.10.07)
College Policy Number/Title: The college does not have an open forum for solicitations, sales, fundraising, signs, and literature distribution. Solicitations, sales, and fundraising by external groups in any of Howard Community College's facilities are strictly prohibited unless official permission is authorized by the president's team. Solicitation includes activities such as distributing literature, posting signs, engaging in or attempting to engage in conversation, or otherwise approaching an individual or individuals on college grounds with the purpose of petitioning, making a request regarding, endorsing, or making a plea for a product, cause, etc. The one sales exception is vendors that have already received permission to do business with appropriate college staff. Fundraising Solicitations for support of community non-profits on a college-wide basis are currently limited to United Way. Additional college-wide solicitations may be recommended by college council and approved by president's team. College employees who are soliciting for other charitable causes must first obtain permission from their area vice president. Whether a charitable solicitation is a college-wide solicitation or one initiated by an HCC faculty or staff member, no HCC employee is obligated to personally support any solicitation. Fundraising at the college by employees or students must be approved by the director of development at least four weeks prior to the event. Fundraising activities by students must also be approved by the director of student life at least four weeks prior to the event. Howard Community College personnel who coordinate use of college facilities with external groups for fundraisers should consult with the development office before agreeing to contract the facility. This consultation is to ensure that the fundraising effort of the external group is not in competition or conflict with the college's fundraising efforts and goals. Literature Distribution and Solicitation (During Approved External Group Activities) Solicitations will be permitted on college grounds only under certain conditions and subject to time, place, and manner; restrictions are noted below. After making a written request to the college administration, individuals will be permitted to distribute literature to individuals who desire such information. Groups or individuals may assemble at an outdoor spot designated by the college administration to make their information available to students, college employees, and visitors. The assigned location shall provide for the free flow of traffic and persons. Groups or individuals may display their information and respond to inquiries and comments by interested persons but may not actively approach or solicit HCC employees, students, or campus visitors. Distribution of printed materials or the initiation of specific conversation by means of accosting individuals is prohibited. Furthermore, the dissemination of information shall be permitted only during the time period designated by the college. The college reserves the right to revoke this permission if the requesting group or individual does not comply with these provisions. Groups using college facilities that cause damage to college property will be held responsible for any damages incurred. Solicitations within campus facilities by businesses as a means to recruit students for employment are an allowed activity provided that activity is approved by the college administration. Solicitation Restrictions Solicitation of the following materials is specifically not authorized by the college and may subject the sponsor to criminal prosecution or civil liability: 1. Any advertising material designed to promote the sale of commercial products or 2. Any advertisement of, or information concerning, any lottery, gift enterprise, or 3. Any unauthorized copyrighted material. 4. Any obscene or indecent material. 5. Any material that defames any race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, 6. Any advocating of violence, or words that are designed to invoke violence. 7. Any slanderous or libelous materials. 8. Any deliberate misinformation that may result in harm to any individuals or group. 9. Any noncompliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 11. The college reserves the right to restrict solicitation of materials if it violates other Textbooks, Materials, and Endorsements Members of academic departments should regularly review the selection of textbooks and other publications to verify their relevance and to remove faculty from the awkward position of recommending their own publications for student purchase. While the college vigorously supports the development of educational materials by its own faculty, the college also must support a fair and open process for the purchase of textbooks and other materials. Endorsement of products by college employees should not be made in the name of the college unless the college has signed an agreement with a vendor, that is approved by a vice president, the president, or the board of trustees, depending on the value of the contract. Bulletin Boards and Signs in College Public Spaces All signs, posters, fliers, and notices of any kind must be located on bulletin boards. No signs, posters, fliers, and notices of any kind may be taped, glued, stapled, or mounted in any way, to walls, windows, columns, glass, or doors either within campus facilities or on college grounds, except in the case of a last minute room change or cancellation. Cost centers of college offices or departments that cause damage to college property will be held responsible for any damages incurred. |