VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

To promote the free exchange of ideas, the University of Illinois at Chicago permits students, faculty, employees and the general public to distribute visual communications on the Campus, subject to the time, place and manner restrictions set forth in this policy.

The University reserves the right to withdraw the permission granted to any person to distribute visual communications or to enter any area of the Campus and to exclude from the Campus any individual who violates this policy. The University reserves the right to amend this policy whenever necessary.

Visual communications used in connection with the University's academic and other programs are the responsibility of the appropriate Colleges, Departments or originating units and are not covered by this policy. Other visual communications used or circulated on Campus are subject to this policy. This policy is not intended, nor shall it be used, by the University for prior review of visual communications.

DEFINITIONS

A. "Campus" shall mean the campus of University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). B. "Center" shall mean the Student Center East at 750 S. Halsted Street in Chicago, Illinois. C. "Union" shall mean the Student Center West at 828 S. Wolcott Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. D. "Dean" shall mean the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs-Dean of Students. E. "Director" shall mean the Director of Campus Auxiliary Services. F. "Office" shall mean the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the Campus. G. "Policy" shall mean "UIC Policy on Visual Communications." H. "Registered Student Organization" shall mean those UIC student groups registered with the Office of Student Organization Resources. I. "Staff" shall mean currently employed University personnel: academic and support staff, Officers, and Trustees. J. "Student" shall mean students currently registered at UIC. K. "Student Code" shall mean the "Student Disciplinary Code on Campus Affairs and Regulations Applying to All Students." L. "University" shall mean the University of Illinois. M. "Vice Chancellor" shall mean the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the Campus. N. "Visual Communication" shall mean communicative or expressive material, whether written, typed or printed.

SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF VISUAl COMMUNICATIONS

A. Distribution by Handout

Visual Communications may be distributed by individuals and organizations regardless of their status as Students or Registered Student Organizations as long as the distribution is in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Visual Communications may be distributed by handout only at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by this policy. Distributors may request a contribution or reimbursement for the materials.

B. Sale of Visual Communications

The sale of general interest publications sold for commercial purposes (including, e.g., newspapers, periodicals, magazines and other similar matter) is restricted to Campus general merchandise sales locations operated by the University. The Director is responsible for these merchandise areas.

C. Distribution from Bins

The Campus provides bins for distribution of printed materials. The Director is responsible for the use of the bins. University-originated materials have priority for use of the bins. Use of the bins in the Center and Union for distribution of other visual communications is subject to written approval by the Director. Such approval will be made on the basis of availability.

D. Distribution from Booths and Tables

Booths, tables and other University furnishings and fixtures provided by the University are limited for use only by Registered Student Organizations.

CAMPUS DISPLAY

A. Campus Buildings

The use of the University buildings or structures, walls, windows, exedras, amphitheatre, walkways, etc. for the hanging or displaying of outdoor signs or general posting of visual communications is prohibited. All such postings will be removed.

B. Exterior Illuminated Campus Bulletin and Directory Boards

Use of exterior illuminated Campus bulletin and directory boards is limited to University-originated materials for all-Campus information. The Director is responsible for these areas. Space in the locked boards will be allocated on the basis of availability and timeliness to the Campus community.

C. Kiosks and Bulletin Boards

Kiosks and bulletin boards, other than those in the Center, are available for general posting. Visual communications will be removed if in violation of this policy or if no longer timely. Rules for posting of materials in the Center are available from the Office of the Center Director (see Addendum).

GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

A. Time and Place Restrictions

1. Distribution in all buildings is limited to the normal schedule for each facility applicable for each quarter of intercession period. Copies of the building schedules are available from the Director or the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

2. Distribution in the Center is permitted in the first floor Concourse section except the areas in front of the entrance/exit doors; first to second floor to third floor escalator/stair entry and discharge points of the lower level only; and first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh floor elevator lobbies (to the building of adjacent corridors). Distribution in the Union is permitted in the first floor lobby except in areas in front of entrance/exit doors. Distribution is not permitted in: reserved meeting rooms and ancillary space or within areas where University-administered functions or activities occur, e.g. cafeterias, athletic facilities, sales offices, lounges and reception areas.

3. In all other Campus buildings visual communications may be distributed only in the foyer or lobby areas on the first floor ground level. This policy does not apply to the Pavilion.

4. Distribution on sidewalks and paths within the Campus is limited to the daylight hours.

5. No one may distribute on or in Campus stairways, classrooms, hallways, corridors, doorways, ramps, elevators, escalators or general use areas nor shall anyone block ingress or egress to any of these places.

B. Conduct and Manner Restrictions

1. Those who distribute visual communications on Campus must not:

a) attempt, by repeated demands, threats, or otherwise, to coerce passers by into accepting or paying for material

b) interfere with, impede, or cause blockage of the normal flow of traffic

c) commit any act likely to create an imminent safety or health hazard

d) accompany the distribution of materials with loud or raucous sounds likely to disturb others solely by reason of their decibel level

e) interfere with or disrupt any other lawful activity by anyone else lawfully in the same general location at the same time

2. Distribution of the following materials is prohibited:

a) material that is either libelous or, under current legal standards, obscene

b) material that is likely to incite or produce imminent lawless action

3. All visual communications in whatever manner distributed must identify the issuing person(s) or organization(s).

ENFORCEMENT AND REVIEW

A. Initial Determination of Policy Violation

1. Upon determining that a violation is occurring, the Staff shall inform the persons responsible for the violation. The Staff may seek the aid of the Vice Chancellor or his designee in requesting that the person(s) cease the conduct causing the violation. Upon receipt of such a request shall advise the distributors(s):

a) of the nature of the violation

b) that refusal to comply may lead to arrest and prosecution and/or result in a request by the Dean for the commencements of procedures against a student under the Student Disciplinary Code

c) that the distributor has the right to request a review pursuant to the procedures set forth in this policy

2. The University reserves the right to confiscate materials whose distribution is prohibited by this policy.

B. Administrative Review

1. The University's initial determination that a person distributing material is in violation of this policy is subject to review by the Vice Chancellor or his designee (Reviewer). To obtain such review, the person(s) (distributor) affected must, within five (5) working days after such determination, file a written appeal with the Reviewer designated. The Office shall provide forms for making an appeal.

2. Time for Decision by Reviewer

a) In the normal case, the Reviewer shall issue a decision within (5) working days of filing of the appeal.

b) The distributor may, however, petition the Reviewer for expedited consideration. Expedited consideration shall be granted upon a showing that the visual communication to be distributed relates to a pending event to occur before the expiration of the normal five-day period. Under expedited consideration, the Reviewer shall issue a decision within two (2) working days of receiving notice of appeal.

3. Procedure for Review

a) the distributor shall have the right to present written or physical evidence for consideration by the Reviewer.

b) The Reviewer may make sure further review as he deems appropriate and may require written statements from University staff who knew of or participated in the original determination.

c) The Reviewer's decision shall be in writing. In addition, in any case in which the Reviewer finds a violation, the Reviewer must, at the time of issuing a decision (in the normal case), or within three (3) working days of issuing a decision (in a case given expedited consideration), issue a brief statement.

 

ADDENDUM

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE POSTING OF MATERIALS ON CAMPUS

I. Posting is to be done on designated bulletin boards and kiosks only. Any materials posted on walls, doors, windows, pillars, garbage cans, or any other unauthorized area, will be removed.

II. Any board assigned to a particular University department will be maintained by that department and any posting on such boards will be done with the approval of the appropriate University department. Such boards must be clearly marked as to whom they are assigned.

III. All postings must visibly bear the name of the University department or Registered Student Organization and an expiration date printed in English. The expiration date of a posting will be the date of the event advertised. In the case of advertising not pertaining to a specific event, the poster must indicate an expiration date no later than three months from the date posted. The name of the current semester on the poster will suffice as an indication that the expiration date is the last day of the semester. Postings not bearing the name of a University department or registered student organization and an expiration date will be removed.

IV. Any personal notices must be placed on the appropriate boards in the Chicago Circle Center and Chicago Illini Union. Such notices at any other location will be removed.

REFERENCES

Policy Memo #27, May 29, 1981

Campus Administrative Manual - Section VI-II