Adopted:  04/1998 (formally 1:070 Posting Materials on MU Property)
Revised:  06/01/2017; 08/01/2017; 08/18/2017; 11/12/2018; 10/08/2020; 7/18/2025

Responsible Office
Operations Administration

POLICY STATEMENT

Posting materials on campus, including distributing non-University publications outside and inside University buildings and facilities, is permissible as described below.

This policy applies to all University of Missouri employees, students, University affiliates, contractors, and visitors who post or distribute materials on University property.

Additional policies regarding advertising and content are listed in the references below.

NON-UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

A non-University publication is any written or digitally produced material that is not officially published by the University or by a University-recognized student organization. This includes leaflets, handbills, and other types of written or digitally produced materials.

Outside

Distribution of non-university publications is permissible outside buildings if the following criteria are met:

1. The material does not state or imply that it is connected with the University of Missouri.
2. Distribution of materials does not constitute a violation of applicable state or federal laws.
3. Materials are not distributed from untended receptacles or left in untended piles.  Materials left on vehicles are prohibited.

Inside

Distribution of non-university publications inside buildings is prohibited except in the following circumstances:

1. Individuals or organizations who reserve space inside a University building may distribute materials in conjunction with that event or activity during the period of the reservation.
2. Individuals or organizations may distribute materials inside the following buildings with the approval of the Office of Reservations and Events :
   • MU Student Center
   • Memorial Union

The Office of Reservations and Events may deny or limit approvals to ensure that distribution does not: 

1. interfere with University activities or other reserved or approved activities at the building;
2. interfere with building operations or maintenance;
3. occur outside scheduled hours of operation;
4. conflict with other reasonable time, place, and manner policies established for the building.

Requests for approval will generally be considered in the order received, provided that the Office of Reservations and Events may give priority to requests by recognized student organizations.  In addressing requests for approval, the Office of Reservations and Events may not consider the viewpoints expressed in the materials or of the requesting individual or organization.

Distribution must not constitute a violation of applicable state or federal laws, and material must not state or imply that it is connected with the University of Missouri.

Classroom chalkboards or whiteboards

The University recognizes that student organizations, professors, and others regularly use chalkboards, whiteboards, etc. for educational purposes. Recognized student organizations may use classroom boards to post materials (this includes the use of chalk or non-permanent erasable markers) if the professor using the classroom during the time the messaging appears on the chalkboard or whiteboard approves such use of the chalkboards or whiteboards.

At the end of the approving professor’s time to use the classroom, the material should be removed by the student organization unless permission is given by the next professor utilizing the classroom. Anyone using chalkboards or whiteboards in classrooms during non-class times should erase the boards when they vacate the classrooms.

Bulletin Boards of Designated Areas

 All posters, signs, or other materials must be placed on bulletin boards or in designated areas.

Exterior bulletin boards are considered free bulletin boards for appropriate use; however, a priority of space will be given to University-sponsored activities.

Interior bulletin boards are for appropriate materials and should be used after the material has been coordinated by the department or building coordinator in charge of the bulletin board.

Only members of recognized student organizations and University departments are permitted to post pre-approved flyers in designated areas of the residence halls. Approval must be granted by the Associate Director for Residential Life or a designee.

Other Areas

No posters, signs, or other articles shall be pasted, nailed, taped, stapled, or otherwise attached to any part of the interior or exterior (including windows and doors) of University buildings or light posts, telephone poles, trees, trash receptacles, or automobiles, except as approved by MU Operations; residence halls; Memorial Union or MU Student Center.

PROCEDURES

Placing and Removing Posted Material

The material should be posted not more than one week prior to the event or the beginning of ticket sales. After the event, the person or group who posted the material is responsible for removing it within 24-48 hours.

Violations

Violations of this policy may be considered acts of vandalism and will be subject to appropriate action.

RESOURCES

Cross References

BPPM 6:056 Chalking on University Property

CRR 170.040 Commercial/Promotional Use of University

CRR 170.050 Media Advertising