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Student Campus Posting Policy

Scope

This policy applies to all enrolled students at the College. 

Policy Statement

Rhodes College provides an exceptional atmosphere and aesthetic that reflects our values and mission. Posting materials can be an essential way to share information with the campus community, and this policy establishes the guidelines for doing so in a manner consistent with those values.

Purpose

 The purpose of the Student Campus Posting Policy is to:

  • Provide students and organizations with clear avenues to advertise events or share informational material with the campus community.
  • Ensure that posting practices respect the integrity and appearance of the Rhodes campus environment.
  • Encourage sustainable and effective communication strategies, such as social media, to reduce reliance on paper.
  • Preserve the freedom of expression and protect open space for campus communication. 

Definitions

Chalking: Temporary, washable writing or drawing on outdoor campus sidewalks using chalk. Chalking is limited to outdoor sidewalk surfaces only and may not include permanent materials, markers, spray chalk, or substances that stain or damage surfaces. 

Flyer: A smaller, hand-distributed or posted sheet of paper (usually 8.5” x 11” or smaller) designed to promote an event, share information, or advertise opportunities. 

Poster: A printed or professionally produced sign or announcement larger than 8.5” x 11” and not exceeding 11” x 17”, typically intended for display on bulletin boards or other approved surfaces.

Posting: The physical display or distribution of materials (such as posters, flyers, banners, chalking, or signage) in designated campus areas. This policy does not apply to digital communications (e.g., social media, email, or online announcements). 

Procedures

All Rhodes College community members must follow the posting & chalking criteria outlined below. 

Posters & Flyers

  • Approved Posting Locations –Community bulletin boards and red A-frames are located across campus.
  • A faculty or staff member’s office door with the permission of the occupant (must use painter’s or masking tape).
  • A student’s residence hall room door (must use painter’s or masking tape).
  • Fj windows. doors and interior vestibule are not used to post poster/flyers. Chalking is permitted on the exterior walls of FJ facing the Ampitheatre.  FJ must be reserved through Presence and must follow posting & chalking guidelines. Any unauthorized postings/paintings at the location will be removed immediately, regardless of the content. 

Prohibited Posting Locations

  • All building entry doors and vestibules.
  • Windows, posts, trees, and columns (excluding FJ windows).
  • Campus fencing.
  • Campus statues.
  • Campus lampposts.
  • On top of any current approved posters.
  • Elevators.
  • Classroom doors.
  • Restrooms (all surfaces).
  • Vending machines.
  • Tabletops.
  • Glass surfaces.
  • Personal vehicles. 

All these items posted or painted in these locations will be removed and discarded. 

Chalking Guidelines

  • Chalking is permitted only on outdoor sidewalks that are exposed to the weather.
  • Chalking is not permitted on building walls, steps, benches, vertical surfaces, or any location that is sheltered from the elements.
  • All chalking must follow the same content standards as other postings. 

Posting Content for Posters & Flyers

Prohibited Content

  • Avoid language or imagery that may be considered “socially offensive."
  • Not contain content that is harassing, discriminatory, bullying, or otherwise infringes upon the rights of others.
  • Not violate federal, state, or local laws.
  • No political signs in public spaces due to Rhodes College’s non-profit status. 

Size requirement

Posters must not exceed 11 inches by 17 inches. 

Removal

All posters and flyers must be removed within 48 hours after completion of the event/activity/program and within 10 business days if the poster does not promote a specific event, exhibit, or activity.

All postings or chalkings that do not meet these criteria will be removed. 

Neither on-campus nor off-campus organizations may post or chalk without prior approval from the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement or the Division of Student Life.

Failure to abide by these policies may lead to loss of posting privileges, College recognition, and/or disciplinary action from the College. Violations of the posting policy may be referred to the Office of Community Standards.

Violations

The College has an obligation to develop policies and procedures that safeguard freedom of expression while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the overall functioning of the College and the commitment to academic freedom. Each member of the community is expected to be respectful of the corollary right of other community members to perform their duties and participate in the life of the College free from disruption, interference, or harassment. Violations of this policy can result in the immediate cancellation of an event, payment of expenses incurred to remove or repair damage from non-conforming signs, and/or all relevant disciplinary actions that fall under the appropriate section(s) of the College Handbook. To avoid any misunderstanding of what are peaceful, permitted, and safe expressive activities, the following non-exhaustive list of prohibited behaviors and characteristics is provided as examples. 

Violations of this policy include activities that:

  • Violate any Rhodes policy, including those in the Student Handbook
  • Physically or otherwise impede the daily business of the College;
  • Employ or threaten to use force or violence against another person or property;
  • Place the health or safety of others at risk;
  • Create a volume of noise that prevents community members from carrying on normal activities;
  • Intimidate others, and/or deny or unreasonably interfere with the rights of others;
  • Violate any obligation, policy or requirement of Rhodes College concerning privacy or confidentiality in any manner or form; or
  • Violate any other federal or state laws or ethical standards. 

Resources/ FAQ

  • Where can I post my flyer or poster? You may use community bulletin boards, red A-frames, a faculty or staff office door with permission, or your own residence hall door.
  • What is the difference between a poster and a flyer? A poster is larger than 8.5’ x 11” but no bigger than 11” x 17”. A flyer is 8.5” x 11” or smaller and often hand distributed.
  • Can I chalk anywhere on campus? No. Chalking is allowed only on outdoor sidewalks exposed to the weather. It is not permitted on roads, streets, buildings, steps, benches, or vertical surfaces.
  • Do I need an accessibility statement on my poster/flyer? Yes. Every event posting must include an accessibility statement.
  • Can I post about political campaigns or alcohol-related events? Political campaign signs are not allowed in public spaces because of the College’s non-profit status. Alcohol may not be referenced in any posting.
  • Can I put flyers under the residence hall room doors? No, unless you have prior approval from the Office of Residence Life.
  • Who do I contact if I have questions? Start with the Division of Student Life or the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement, and we will consult with any other office as needed. 

Questions 

Any questions regarding such events should be directed to the Division of Student Life. They will consult with others on campus as needed to finalize a response to the appeal.

It should be noted that when the physical safety of the Rhodes community is threatened, the college reserves the right to cancel an event.

Revised August 18, 2025