Sign Posting Policy
As recommended by the Committee on Campus Life 11/1/01

Preamble:

This policy was formulated in response to complaints that signs from campus groups are often removed almost immediately after they have been posted. In trying to understand why this happens, CCL became aware that there are considerable differences of opinion as to where it is appropriate to post signs, as well as the nature of what may be posted. Because of these differences of opinion, Earlham community members have sometimes felt they were justified in removing signs that students had posted. The aim of this policy is to establish criteria for posting signs in public places, so that when individuals or campus organizations follow these criteria, they can feel confident that the signs they post will not be removed prematurely.

Postings that follow the guidelines of this policy should not be removed before their designated "removal date." If signs have been posted consistent with this policy, the premature removal of those signs may be deemed to be a violation of the Principles and Practices document, and therefore may result in disciplinary action.

Criteria for Content of All Postings:

The content of all postings in public spaces on the Earlham College Campus should be consistent with the nature and spirit of The Earlham College Principles and Practices. All such postings (including banners) posted by members of the Earlham community should include:

• A name and drawer number or extension number of a contact person and / or sponsoring organization.
• A date after which the posting is to be removed. For signs advertising specific events, the date of the event is sufficient. All signs are regularly removed at the end of each semester, regardless of their designated "removal date."

General Guidelines for All Buildings:
Posting areas:

• The locations of posting areas in each campus building should be decided by the “occupants” of that building. Each building should have a contact person who would be aware of the posting policies for that building, including the locations of allowed posing areas.
• Each campus building should have clearly designated areas for posting signs of general campus interest. A list of these posting areas is available from Runyan desk (ext. 1316). In addition, many building will have posting areas that “reserved” for specific types of posting. For example, a bulletin board may be reserved specifically for departmental postings.
• Because of issues of safety or courtesy, some areas should never be used for posting. Postings found in these areas will be removed immediately:

Signs should not be posted on windows or on doors in public areas, unless those areas are specifically designated as posting areas.
Signs should not be posted on mirrors or on the glass front of display cases.
Signs should not be posted over pictures or over other signs.
Posters may not be posted outside. However, banners and messages drawn in chalk on sidewalks may be displayed outside. Chalk for such sidewalk messages are available at the Runyan Desk.
As noted above, individual buildings may specify additional areas that are unavailable for general posting.

Posting procedures:

• When posting signs, individuals should not use materials that would deface buildings or posting areas. People posting signs should be careful when applying tape to painted surfaces to ensure that subsequent removal of the tape will not mar the painted surface.
• The use of materials such as paint, stickers, double sided tape, or glue can cause permanent damage to building surfaces, and is therefore prohibited by this policy. Their use will be considered vandalism.
• When posting in bathrooms, CCL recommends that postings be limited to those of concern for health, support, and security.
• CCL recommends that individuals and organizations not post multiple duplicate or nearly-identical signs on a single posting area. Redundant signs waste paper and limited posting space. We encourage using alternatives. If, however, individuals and campus organizations choose to post multiple signs, we ask that community members be considerate of other signs. In the case that redundant postings occupy what would otherwise be the only remaining space, one of those redundant signs may be removed to accommodate a new sign.

Removal of signs:

• The removal of signs is the responsibility of the individual or campus organizations who originally posted those signs. We ask community members to keep all posting areas current. To that end, any member of the community may remove signs after the removal date has passed.
• If signs are found that are in violation of this policy (e.g., they are posted in an area in which posting is not allowed), they may be removed by any community member. However, CCL asks that community members who remove such signs should contact the sign’s sponsors (if such information is available) to notify them of the signs’ removal.
• With the exception of academic departmental postings, e.g., graduate school information, postings from persons or organizations that are not part of the Earlham Community should be approved at Runyan desk prior to posting. A record of which non-Earlham postings have been received such approval should be kept at the Runyan desk. After such signs have been approved, a representative of the off-campus group which sponsors the signs may post them in the appropriate areas.